Good Morning Everyone!
This photo is TOO CUTE! It’s my guy, Mike Smith, who helped us select the FINAL 4 for our ZENYATTA BRONZE CONTEST! Mike stopped by Dottie and John’s last night and held my reins in his hands…just like he did when we were racing. I think this definitely got him IN THE ZENYATTA MOOD to select our Final 4! This photo brings back great memories…for both Mike and I! We had lots of great times together!
The names of the FINAL 4 will be given…along with the thoughts each person expressed as to what I meant to he / she. Go to the bottom of this diary post and click the button next to the person whose entry you think deserves to win. Click the Vote button, and you’ll see the current results.
We will allow the voting to take place for one week. The winner will be announced next Wednesday, April 27th. John will look at the polls before he leaves for the barn that morning (5 o’clock in the morning, CA TIME) and the winner’s name will be posted.
The poll has been moved from the Facebook page to this website so that non-Facebook users may vote!
GOOD LUCK TO ALL 4 OF YOU!
ENTRY #1…..VICKI L. VINSON……APPLE VALLEY, CA I knew Zenyatta was “one” special horse the first time I saw her in person. She came over to me and stuck her nose right in front of my camera. That was before the ’08 Lady’s Secret. Little did I know that a year later she would become the best medicine in the world, in helping me through the worst time of my life. I’ll love you forever Zenyatta!
ENTRY #2…..VALERIE FRANKLIN….DAVISON, MI Zenny, you have made people believe in horse racing again. Our sport has suffered so much tragedy and in this time of economic disaster and with Barbaro and Eight Belles so fresh in our minds, you have given us a chance to escape and to dream. We love you more than you could ever quantify.
ENTRY #3…..GEORGIA HARPER…..BELLEVUE, WA My obsession began half way through your first year and such enthusiasm could not be ignored by my husband. After 49 years, my husband and I have become such good friends but are so busy with work and family we don’t always take time to actually think about one another. As a gift for our wedding anniversary last August, I received an email at work from my hubby with an itinerary attached for San Diego saying “Tickets for my queen to go see the Queen”. We not only had a wonderful day at Del Mar, never leaving the paddock and visiting with so many young people who had been there to see only you but we really enjoyed our time together. I’m not sure what we will do for our 50th this year, but I don’t think it will compete with the happiness we shared last year watching you come across the finish line and celebrating as best friends enjoying not just a horse race but watching the most magnificent thoroughbred ever. We miss you, we love you, and look forward to cheering on your foal.
ENTRY #4…..DAWN CONRAD…..CEDAREDGE, CO Dearest Zenyatta. “Why are you special to me?” Is it the stately stature of the Queen like carriage? Is it the glistening brown coat with the diamond dapples? Maybe it is the dance or those still moments with your head held high? Is it your intelligence and fathomless brown eyes? Was it your first run free or perhaps a camera-ride on the back of Pegasus? Is it posters in the stands, a warm crowd on a cold Kentucky night, the excitement you bought back to racing? Your place in its history and future, the Breeders Cup, 60 Minutes, Horse of the Year, Vox Populi Award? A Fred Stone portrait, Jamie Corum lithograph, Nina Kaiser bronze? The cheers I shouted the tears I shed? Certainly your beauty, power, grace, breathe taking speed, final kick, heart stopping finishes and 19/1. Absolutely your gut wrenching, never give up, try! It is all of this, yet more. It isn’t only who you are, but what you mean to each of us. With Team Z, you are Jerry and Ann’s pride and joy, John’s soul mate and patient masterpiece, Dottie’s muse and she your voice. Mike’s talent, guidance and prayers brought you home safe each race. At Barn 55, you had care from Mario, workouts with Steve, walks with Carmen, loving star struck visitors and kisses from all. At Lane’s End, paddock pals, peppermints, pears and precious motherhood. Your family embodies the word generosity and together you have been transformative. You give pure happiness to thousands. You are a horseman’s ideal, a child’s dream, a friend to charities, a moment of healing to someone ill, a smile in the face of sadness, a sweet memory to all those you meet and a wish of all those that you haven’t “including myself”. While totally unique, I see in you the memories of my youth: the Black Stallion, Flicka, Secretariat and my Cinder (a gift from a brother leaving for Vietman), live again. There were endless summer days of best friends, bareback rides, Breyer’s horses on the bedroom shelves and glorious Triple Crown winners. With you, I am that horse loving girl again. What fun! I have my own challenges in life, as everyone does. While I seek to remain positive there are those moments. You are there to lift my spirits and touch my soul. Your diary is a place of remarkable civility where information, support and all things Zenyatta are shared and celebrated. Facebook, over 70,000 and still counting! The experience has been once in a lifetime and continues to be a magical ride. In the end my love cannot be fully explained, it is simply heart felt and joyful. It is no mystery why the word “angel” is used to describe you, for you are a creation of God, a blessing to us all and a remarkable gift. For everything you are and everything you mean, Zenny, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are truly UNBELIEVEABLE! As always, sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
Wow! I hope you enjoyed reading these as much as I did! Dottie commented that she was literally in tears typing them for ME!
Vote for the ENTRY of YOUR CHOICE!
Blessings to All OF YOU who participated in this contest! I can’t THANK YOU ENOUGH for ALL OF THE LOVE AND KINDNESS you have shown ME!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
J Smith
CHILDRENS EASTER EGG DRAWINGS
http://tytlerlibrary.wikispaces.com/Horse+Club
This takes u to their club page, scroll to the bottom where it says April 2011 and you will see ‘easter eggs’ click and you will see their drawings for Zenyatta. Please do not even think of saying to yourself ‘I don’t have time’. If there was time for all of above, we can make time to redeem ourselves and make some children happy by leaving them some nice comments.
Hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend, Especially you Team Z.
Lisa g
@JSmith: Thank you for reposting, most of the time I am at work and all I can get is this site, I am home..and all the Easter Eggs are just beautiful.
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
To Kari Bussell: Thank you for your assurance that your use of John Shirreff’s quote was not directed at me. I didn’t think you (or he) had me in particular in mind. At the same time, I have been one of those who posted questions about postcard #4.
I have the greatest respect for Team Z and appreciate Dottie’s tireless efforts to keep Zenyatta’s website going, sparing Zenyatta the trouble for whom, after all, grazing comes first, as it should. Even the leaves of grass love her, as do we.
I am very sorry to learn of your illness and suffering; I am very happy to learn that Zenyatta has given you the will to live. She is a radiant being who can summon hope in the face of despair.
Best–Robbie
J Smith
TO THE KIDS OF TYLER SCHOOL HORSE CLUB, thank you so much for sharing your fabulous easter egg drawings with us Zenyatta fans. I love them, and I just know Zenyatta will too. She is a big fan of children. You have used such lovely cheerful colors, it made me smile extra wide when I saw them. I told my friends to look at them too and they said the same thing. Your club sounds great, it makes me wish I was a kid and could join, but then I would have to move, as I live in CA. Thanks again, and I hope you all have a wonderful easter.
Jan
@ Joyce. Would love to meet you tomorrow @ SHRP, but how do we get in touch!! :)
Dani
Here is the link to the children’s horse club site. The are some cute pictures of the children and some artwork. At the bottom of the page is a link to the Easter eggs. Thank you J Smith.
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http://tytlerlibrary.wikispaces.com/Horse+Club
Dani
Oops sorry ‘J Smith’, we were posting at same time.
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
To Karey R: Thank you for what I can only think of as a character reference of sorts. It was more than kind of you to take the time to say what you said.
I often have felt a certain kinship when I read your postings on any of the many subjects that arise here. You once expressed a similar sentiment when I wrote about mindfulness.
Thank you again–Robbie
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
I also want to express my thanks to those of you who encouraged me to keep posting. That kind of reaching out surely demonstrates and adds to the love that Zenyatta and Team Z have co-created.
Dani
@Kari – I’m so sorry for such heartbreak in your life. Your courage and strength and spirit are unbelievable. You are a remarkable person. That Zenyatta one day entered your life – well I don’t think it was just by chance. I think it was destiny.
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear J Smith: ‘Into The Woods,’ finale — “Children Will Listen” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEfcKdj-y0c Stephen Sondheim`s lyrics [vocalist: Renee` recording is not the best, but lyrics along the notes make up for it. You are ‘eggs-actly right on your notes above; thank you.
Lisa g
Zenyatta and her Team and her family are giving away a $1200.00 Bronze statue of Zenyatta to Zenyatta’s fans. They surely did not have to do this, but that is just how big their hearts are. This was no easy task voting, I read and reread and thought before I cast my vote. There is no denying all four are beautiful.
Vicki, Zenyatta is the best medicene, helped her through the worst part of her life. Zenyatta has done this for so many people, so many can related to what Vicki wrote.
Valarie, Zenyatta has made people believe in horseracing again. Long Star opened last weeked with over 50,000 people. The most in many, many years. Why does God bring us this kind of happiness such as Zenyatta and Native Dancer when times are bad? Sweet Gifts. Remembering the horses we loved so that died tragically while we watched. This one can also touch many people that are fans of Zenyatta, this one did touch me personally. Zenyatta helped heal my broken heart.
Georgia, what a man she married. His Queen to see the Queen, wow. I was really impressed with this. I do not live near Santa Anita, but my fiance does. I asked him to go so I could have the Zenyatta/Secretarit poster…He said the drive was to far, 1 hour, so not post for me. OMgoodness, he was the one that got me into horseracing. This also touched me in an emotional way, Georgia, the bond of husband and wife getting stronger because of Zenyatta.
Dawn, full of love, poetic. This is how most of us feel about Zenyatta. It makes you dream, if you have not be blessed enough to see Zenyatta in person..dream that someday you will, it will be more than a pictures of her on the wall, videos on YouTube, hoping everyday a new posting on this site, a Bronze Statue of the Queen.
All of these are wonderful and I am sure all of them as touched us in many ways, and one of them was the heart grabber that made the deciding vote.
I hope all the ladies in the Final Four are happy and excited about this, I hope they cannot sleep at night because of the happiness and excitement. I wish all the Final Four good luck and blessings.
DJ
Dear Kari B.,
Thank you for sharing a part of your journey with us. I take comfort in believing that if I am still here, it is because there is another soul God will use me to touch. You just touched mine…and I thank you. p.s. I have the feeling that you are more beautiful now than ever before because nothing shines as bright as broken glass.
Snoprinz
Zen, your Mike looks good and physically fit. Congrats and Good Luck to the Final Four.
DJ
The words of a favorite writer come to mind… Henri Nouwen – “We are taken, blessed, broken and given.”
Linda
When my postcard was returned to me, my heart sank. Immediately, I came to the diary to write about what had happened. I was so sad. I cried. I had struggled to find the right words, writing and rewriting. I decided to type the words of my contest entry for this diary-I suppose a kind of therapy. Well, later I returned to find so many kind comments that lifted my spirits. A few hours had passed after my initial disappointment & I came to the realization that for me the contest was never really about the prize. I had never won anything before in any drawing or any large amount on a scratch off lottery ticket. I knew my chances were slim to none. But I wanted to send a postcard as a small gesture of appreciation to Zenyatta’s family. Each postcard represents the love for their horse. Imagine the feeling of seeing so many postcards come in from across the country. All 4 of these final postcards are wonderful, moving tributes to Zenyatta. Now multiply this feeling times thousands of cards-each unique coming from the heart. I find so much joy & happiness from this site that I wanted someone who posted from here to win. So congratulations to Dawn & Valarie for making it so far. It does not matter to me who wins because we have all won. We have a place to come to share stories, learn and talk about horses-and most importantly stay in touch with Zenyatta.
carolyn
Linda, I don’t win anything either, I didn’t even send in a post card simply because I felt it so many that hey, I wanted someone that could really had the time to sit down and write something so nice about Zenyatta. Everyone on here has wrote what we all feel, she is so special words just can’t fit what she really is to all her fans.
Janet Cutting
@ the children of Tyler School Horse Club
KIDS, THE EGGS ARE GREAT– YOU DID A BEAUTIFUL JOB AND I BET ZENYATTA IS SO HAPPY TO SEE THEM. THANKS, FOR SHARING THEM WITH US. HAPPY EASTER. JANET C/WI
carolyn
Also, I have her HP Bobblehead doll and one day I will get me a Breyer of her. I am content with what I have,but most of all I am like the rest of us, I just love Zenyatta and sure do miss her this year.
Janet Cutting
Hello everyone– the kids from Tyler school a few post back– told us they have specials easter eggss– please go look. Wonderful.
Janet Cutting
@J Smith– thanks for the reminder of the Easter Eggs– It really was heart-warming and another big Thank-You to all the kids for sharing.
Tamyatta
She is a radiant being who can summon hope in the face of despair..Thank you Robbie..that’s it!.. That’s exactly what Zenyatta means to me. I just couldn’t find the words. Perfectly defines the 2010 BCC. I have put those words and your name on the frame of my Zenyatta 2010 Horse of the Year picture that is on my desk at home and will also on the pic at my desk at work. I will go thru each day with that thought. Thank you so much.
Kathy Kimber
To Kari, Blessings be upon you dear lady thank you for you heart moving post.
To the children the Easter Eggs are beautiful I just know Zenyatta is thrilled.
susan in tn
@ KARI B.: very powerful and moving-bless you.
@ DANI and J SMITH: i looked at the tyler school horse club site yesterday and it is adorable! i wished i could be in a horse club and i realized I AM !! right here, every day!
@ tyler school horse club: your pictures and eggs are so beautiful! what fun to have a horse club at school! zenyatta would be happy!
Lisa g
@Robbie….thank goodness! So happy you are here to stay in Zenyatta’s World, you would surely be missed had you not.
judy berube
To: Kari Bussell,
Just read your post. You are a brave, courageous and remarkable woman. The very essence of Z and her Team. God Bless you and keep on keeping on. Hugs, Judy and Russ
Suzanne G
@Kari Bussell–What amazing courage! So glad that you were able to draw on Zenyatta for strength. You’re absolutely right: “…the only peace, joy, inspiration, and comfort in my world and many others is Zenyatta-sharing the joy of our mutual love.” With much love and positive thoughts, Suzanne G.
Abigail from Montreal
Great read everyone. It took me a good 40 minutes to read all the new comments & watch all the videos & read all the articles. PHEW!
THE VAULT has just published its first article since we moved to a new ad-free blog site: http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/
Happy Passover & Easter to one and all!!!!
Cheryl Smith
Happy Easter pretty one, how are you? We have not heard how your health is lately or when you will meet with Bernie again. Love you so much!
Christine in Michigan
No wonder there can’t be peace in the world…there can’t even be peace on this page…it makes me so sad. Zenny’s heart is breaking.