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
Trina Nagele
@Elizabeth–Very nice of you, Elizabeth. And that’s one fine husband you have–I just hope he doesn’t mind what you said about Zenny’s Mike after all the effort he went to…
jean
Wonderful sentiments expressed in the 4 entrees…describing so much better than I could, my own heartfelt feelings…which are so deep…I am left wordless, Zenyatta, joy of my heart!
Karey R
@Elizabeth, Many thanks to you and your husband for clearing the air about the length of Dawn Conrad’s entry. I’ve come to think of Dawn as a kind and caring person, and had a hard time imagining that she would knowingly ‘break the rules’ of the contest.
@Dawn, This must be a sad and confusing time for you. My heart has been breaking over the confusion, and now that you are
‘cleared’, I hope you will come back to all your friends here. We miss you.
Trina Nagele
@Dawn–I apologize to you too, Dawn, for I assumed that you had used a larger size card–they are available. As a matter of fact, I received two larger-sized post cards(5½ by 8½)in my mail today. But nothing was said about the size in the rules, so I figured you were OK anyway. Now I see that all of your beautiful words really do fit on one side of a standard-size card (and the other side is for the adddress and stamp). More importantly, like others, I have been worrying about you–I’m sure you could never have imagined how some people might react. I hope you hold your head high, like Zenyatta, and head to the winner’s circle after a race well run.
Kitei
@ Trina Nagele – I’m thrilled that you answered my call for help (and thrilled that you’re an English teacher)! I, at least, am satisfied with your input on the paragraph issue!
Maybe you might appreciate the videos on this page: http://www.horseconscious.com/lectio-eqvaria-palaestra-manege-horse-reading-alexander-nevzorov.html
Alexander Nevzorov has taught his horses to read (in Latin – at least it’s not Russian, though he is!). He has made a movie about the long history of this practice, which has caused a lot of people over the centuries to react with consternation! But he says that this helps the HORSES to realize that not only they, but we humans too, are actually quite intelligent, and even capable of comprehensible self-expression! :)
Here is a link to a book about another horse (in the USA) who could read, count, play music, make change, and much more. The link takes you to the page giving the story from the horse’s point of view, but the other chapters, including his owner / trainer’s story, are linked at the bottom of the page:
http://www.lrgaf.org/training/capts-story.htm
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
We love Z and all of you. Please just vote, and whoever gets the most votes is the winner. All of the Final Four love Z just as much as we do and that’s really what this site is all about, and what really matters. We hope nobody’s feelings have been hurt and we hope everyone who loves Z continues to post here, in this special place, provided for us by Dottie and Z’s loving Team. Love to all of you. Judy and Russ
Kitei
p.s. ~ the site that hosts “Captain’s Story” not only has many more pages of good reading about every aspect of things equine, but they are looking for writer!
http://www.lrgaf.org/welcome.htm
Takers?
Kitei
I meant “writers”, plural!
Kitei
Don’t forget you can click the thumbnails to see the full-screen historical photos: http://www.lrgaf.org/training/capts-story.htm
Joyce
Zenny, there are so very many ways to say and show, “I love you.” We, your fans, each say it to you in our own ways but the love and affection we feel for you is so very clear to all of us, and that’s why this is such a special place, where those who love you can congregate and share our thoughts and stories (and, yes, occasionally agree to disagree).
Thank you again, Dottie, for all your hard work in keeping us in the circle. You must know that all here would give you a 100% vote if there was one to give.
Zenny, yesterday I sent another gift to Old Friends in your name. Those folks are doing such a wonderful job in keeping their “seniors” happy and healthy. (As the years go by that term takes on a whole new meaning!)
Love and kisses, big girl, from Houston, Texas.
Tamyatta
Elizabeth..you and your nice husband went to the trouble of trying to find out what some of us have been wondering..How did she do that? I wrote my thoughts down and then tried to put them on a card that met all of the guidelines. I then looked at each guideline and made sure I followed it. #4 says:Your name,address and phone number must be included on the card. So I included them on the card. Mailing it without this information in any kind of envelope never entered my mind. Neither did using 8 pt font occur to me. I just tried to do my best to show what is in my heart for Zenny.. in a paragraph on a postcard. I agree with you about a popularity contest. I said a long time ago I was afraid this might happen. The #19 bronze statue of Zenyatta is the ultimate honor of Z and many people did what was asked in the guidelines and then waited excitedly thru each drawing to see if they would end up with a chance to own this wonderful, wonderful gift.
Gloria Jeanne
Zenny- hope you are ok, I hear there were tornado’s in Kentucky last night. Love you
Sharon in Seattle
Randy, bless you for posting the montage. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen it. The perfect antidote to all of this contest hoopla! (I’m no less thankful for the contest, let me say. It is GENEROSITY personified!) The montage can help us all remember that WE ARE ALL WINNERS to have been alive to see, in our lifetime, the grace, athleticism, heart pounding thrill of all things Zenyatta. Everytime I see the ’09 BC classic in rerun, I remember how I was screaming my lungs out in the stands, jumping up and down for joy. THIS IS UNBELIEVEABLE!!! a day we’ll NEVER forget!
Georgia Harper
to Kari Bussell: I hope you continue to fight on God bless you and I will say a prayer for you this Sunday. Your story was so beautiful wish you could have that statue!!!!!Love to all Team Zen
Astrid
In case anyone has missed it, here is the link – Zenyatta in the classroom (Shari Voltz’s students) How cute is that!
http://www.paulickreport.com/features/three-chimneys-presents-good-news-friday/three-chimneys-presents-good-news-friday-zenyatta-in-the-classroom/
–
There was even a Zenyatta-cartoon contest :)
http://community.tvg.com/t5/The-Lounge/Zenyatta-cartoon-contest/td-p/351080
It is probably no longer valid but thought it too cute and fitting since the cartoon-Zenny has a sign on her stall “Mike Smith is hot” lol Something to take the mind off post card sizes. We humans shouldn’t take ourselves all that seriously:)
@ Kari Bussel – I admire your strenght and courage! You are in my thoughts!
karen g
Thank you Elizabeth. I guess people over-looked my post way back when here. Like I said in that post (see above somewhere!) IT WAS POSSIBLE TO WRITE THAT TINY AND GET IT ALL ON THE POSTCARD! And mailed my 10 cards in a single envelope _ so simple!
Eveline
Here is the link to the story about Shari Voltzhttp://www.paulickreport.com/features/three-chimneys-presents-good-news-friday/three-chimneys-presents-good-news-friday-zenyatta-in-the-classroom/
Eveline
Try again http://www.paulickreport.com/features/three-chimneys-presents-good-news-friday/three-chimneys-presents-good-news-friday-zenyatta-in-the-classroom/
Eveline
Sorry about that, I got a computer at the same time the Zenyattadiary started, so it still is a lot of trial and error!
Catherine McGrath
Z, you were always about the magic of Life, racing and healing people who needed that uplift in their lives. My vote goes to #1, good luck!
Kitei
Alexander Nevzorov has taught his horses to read (in Latin!). He has made a movie about the long history of this practice, which has caused a lot of people over the centuries to react with consternation! But he says that this helps the HORSES to realize that not only they, but we humans too, are actually quite intelligent, and even capable, like them, of comprehensible self-expression!
Here is a link to a book about another horse (in the USA) who could read, count, play music, make change, and much more. The link takes you to the page giving the story from the horse’s point of view, but the other chapters, including his owner / trainer’s story, are linked at the bottom of the page:
http://www.lrgaf.org/training/capts-story.htm
Kitei
Horses-reading — videos on this page: http://www.horseconscious.com/lectio-eqvaria-palaestra-manege-horse-reading-alexander-nevzorov.html
susan in tn
@ SHARI: loved your interview in the paulick report! it’s really amazing what you have done!
@ ZENYATTA: it’s really amazing what YOU have done! hope the storms aren’t too bad in your neck of the woods.
@ DOTTIE and TEAM Z: what a difference you are making in the world! thank you.
@ DAWN: come back!
DJ
Good morning Sweet “Z”,
I hope you are warm in your blanket and enjoying your morning snooze zzzzzz :) Congratulations again to Mike and Makoma for the Show! A tough race – great ride. I will check back this evening before we paint our eggs. Hugz to you.
Kitei
Trina – I’m thrilled that you answered my call for help (and thrilled that you’re an English teacher)! I, at least, am satisfied with your explanation on the sticky issue!
DJ
Dear Shari Voltz,
I was very touched by lovely article about you and your students. Aren’t they precious! You are a treasure. I was wondering if your classroom had the Zenyatta/Secretariat Poster, and if not, I would like to donate one. Please let me know and I will give my e-mail address and have it sent to you. Signed if possible by the jockeys. Best to you and your Team “S”.
DJ
Dear Shari Voltz,
I just checked the SA gift shop and that particular poster is sold out; however, they have a large one of Zenyatta alone (in the same beautiful pose as the other) which is signed by Mike Smith. Limited to 500. I ordered one for your classroom. If you already have one, no worries :)
Gerrie P.
Congrats to final four.
All are fitting tributes to the Queen of Racing.
Yes, Zenyatta is the Queen and missed by her fans…. so, so, much.
Sally (B)
@everyone! In the event you would rather send a check to Old Friends, rather than over internet, the address is “Old Friends, 1841 Paynes Depot Rd, Georgetown, Kentucky 40324
I am so pleased to have sent mine on behalf of Z. Old Friends really needs the help. I finally signed up for facebook, I never completed a full profile-areas I refused to share. Nor have I sent a photo. But I was accepted on FB. I have never had any problems, but I don’t use it, and I wouldn’t accept anyone I don’t know as a friend on FB. I think one must allow another into your FB page. So if you don’t your protected. Anyhow, I wish those who are afraid to vote with FB; I do wish you’d have a chance to vote. I understand, by requesting to click on FB page to finalize your vote, they would know if a person tried to vote more than once I think? @Z; I sure am missing you and thinking of you everday. I never thought I could love a horse like you so, so much!!!! with kisses on your soft nose
S (in san diego)
@Dawn, please don’t let all of this petty chatter (from a few), get to you. I know that if they would just do a little cut and paste, they would see that your beautiful words fit on a large post card. The kind sold, with beautiful vacation pictures at every corner store. I pray that you and everyone who is part of this Zenyatta FAMILY from all over will have a Wonderful, Joyful, Loving and BLessed Easter. God Bless.