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
Kitei
(Is there an English teacher in the house?)
Technical question: what defines a “paragraph”?
******************************************
Answer:
The Basic Rule: Keep One Idea to One Paragraph
The basic rule of thumb with paragraphing is to keep one idea to one paragraph. If you begin to transition into a new idea, it belongs in a new paragraph. There are some simple ways to tell if you are on the same topic or a new one. You can have one idea and several bits of supporting evidence within a single paragraph. You can also have several points in a single paragraph as long as they relate to the overall topic of the paragraph. If the single points start to get long, then perhaps elaborating on each of them and placing them in their own paragraphs is the route to go.
How do I know when to start a new paragraph?
You should start a new paragraph when:
•When you begin a new idea or point. New ideas should always start in new paragraphs. If you have an extended idea that spans multiple paragraphs, each new point within that idea should have its own paragraph.
•To contrast information or ideas. Separate paragraphs can serve to contrast sides in a debate, different points in an argument, or any other difference.
•When your readers need a pause. Breaks in paragraphs function as a short “break” for your readers — adding these in will help your writing more readable. You would create a break if the paragraph becomes too long or the material is complex.
•When you are ending your introduction or starting your conclusion. Your introductory and concluding material should always be in a new paragraph. Many introductions and conclusions have multiple paragraphs depending on their content, length, and the writer’s purpose.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/606/01/
Deborah Richman
Wow! You ladies really put into words what all of us feel about Zenyatta. Whoever wins, I can see that the beautiful bronze is going to find a wonderful home :)
Linda Moss
Congratulations and best of luck to the Final 4! Fabulous pic of Mike! Looking forward to reading some of the other entries as well. BTW – would also love an update on Life Is Swet and her new one. Zenny, please let us know how she is doing soon. Love to you and the rest of Team Z!
ARPfan
Congratulations to the final 4. Wish we could have ALL won!
DJ
Dear Suzanne G. and others not on Facebook: I by choice, do not belong to Facebook or any other internet social network which shares personal information. You can however, login with your e-mail address and give a password. This enables you to view Zenyatta’s site and you can also vote…I did.
#1NewEnglandFan
Such wonderful, heartfelt messsages — how to choose just one? And how hot is “your Mike”! He was the perfect person to choose the final four.
Good luck to all four of you. Thanks again to the Z team for sharing the wonderful world of Queen Z with so many fans. It is a daily source of joy.
Pamela J Hebert
What fabulous entries, good luck to all!!! So great to see Mike holding your reins again!!! Dottie I got choked up too. Brought back so many memories of you sweet Zenny. I don’t have a Facebook account & really want to vote. Is there an alternate way to cast my vote on Facebook? I’ll wait for response as there are alot of others in that same spot. Thanks for today’s post Zenny.
Victoria
i should have spoken up sooner but I,too, feel that it should have bee a drawing right donw to the end….becaue I’m sure that everyone wrote something wonderful. Suddenly, the bloom has gone off the rose as they say– still I will vote and I do wish all 4 the best of luck and as always, thank Z and her Team — this is the only crinkle on a very beautiful, continuing ride….
DJ
Whether a soul “ponders all things in his/her heart” without the weariness of words; or “expresses eloquently all ideas as a song to heaven” neither should be thought of as better. For the mystery of love is as individual as our own ‘personal style.’ Let us just rejoice in the love shared here by and for our dear Zenyatta and her best friends.
Jo in CO
Congratulations to the Final Four! The comments and expressions of what Z means are all so beautiful. Love and hugs to Z and Team Zenyatta.
Cathleen
@Linda Moss. If you go to the Lane’s End Facebook page they posted a great picture of Life Is Sweet with her baby colt yesterday. He’s so cute!!
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, Glad to see Mike takeing part of picking the final four. You and Mike were such a special team, like no other. One thing is certain and that the fact remains that you are well loved all over the world and that will never change. The many wonderful things that the many people have said about you in their contest post cards tells you the many reasons why. I miss you and love you very much.
Cathleen
I think we should raffle Mike off next! :)
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, congrats to the Final 4! The words written are very touching. It is extra special that your Mike got to draw the Final 4. It was great seeing Mike holding your reins again. Thanks for sharing the pic!
Love to all,
Leslie
Janine
Is there any way we can see the actual postcards these 4 sent in? I know a lot of people made handmade cards and I am really curious to see them! Can you guys scan them or something? I guess later on at some point it’d be neat to see all the cards in a big photo, but for now I’d like to see these 4 :)
Joan
Good luck to each of the final four. I wish you all could win. I have tears in my eyes reading what each of you wrote. Thank you to Zenyatta and her connections for giving these people a voice. You are all the best.
karen g
Kealy is right about that – does seem a bit unfair. Already know who is going to win from the first draw.
Vicki
Dearest Zenyatta, Dottie, John, Mike and all of barn 55, thank you for this fun contest – I’m so honored to be one of the Final 4. Still can’t believe it though and now the finish line is in site. Hope I can close from behind and cross the wire in front just like my remarkable Zenyatta. Love you all!
karen g
@Janine Maybe this would be good idea.
Sharon Call
@Kitei. I’m not sure what your point is with your last post. Yes, this is a contest, but it is not a grammar or essay contest. I do know that postcards come in different sizes – I’ve bought them over the years. If Dawn chose to use a larger size to acccommodate her thoughts, then I never saw anything posted saying that was prohibited. She did a more than beautiful job in conveying what so many of us feel and can’t quite find the right words to express. I thought that was the point of this contest. I DIDN’T think the point of the contest was to repeatedly criticize someone who found a way that fit the contest rules to express her thoughts. That’s all I’m saying about this topic.
karen g
BTW – I voted just for a state, just don’t know how to pick, all are heartwarming – as I’m sure the thousand others were too. Drawing just one out of the four would have solved some grief along the way. But good luck in our Zennyland of dreams you wonderful four!
Charlotte A. Farmer
Congratulations to all four. Each of you spoke from your heart and I loved each one. When I went to vote I was stopped at Faceboo, don’t have an account nor do I want to set one up. So, like the lady above I will just wait and see who wins and hopefully it is, not fair to the others to share at this point. Needless to say they are all winners.
Thank you Team Zenyatta for sharing her with us and allowing us to participate in what she means to us. I love your imagination in providing a voice for the lady.
Love you Zenyatta!
S. Robertson
How do I vote if I am not on facebook? It would not let me vote.
Vicki
PS Thank you Kirren, I need all the help I can get. Best of luck to everyone!
Kt
I up for the Mikey raffle!!!
Good luck to the final four!
Janie
@ DJ: thanks, I also don’t belong to Facebook and do not want to, so I’ll follow your instructions and try to vote again. Since I was one of the original 64, I sure want to be able to vote!
Diana
Awe, sucks!! I have to quit crying before I can see to vote! All deserving and all true Queen Z. Hugs and kisses!
Janie
Update: didn’t work. I put in my email address and a password but since I’m not a member, it didn’t “match”, so the other choice is to “sign up” and I don’t want to. Oh, well…
karen g
Oh, and yes IT IS possible to write REAL TINY, TEENEY SMALL (got it?) because I did – all in one paragraph too! Print of course, otherwise they would’nt have been able to read it. Some without the proper addresses to get it all in – but didn’t mind because I felt I just wanted to express what I felt, regardless if I’d win. Sent all 10 cards in large mailing envelope together to said address.
Beatrice Lian
Very nice photo of Mike!! Hope to see more pictures of Mike in his leisure hours. He is very photogenic!!
All the best to the 4 finalists for the contest.