Good Morning Everyone!
I’M BACK!
It is a wonderful Wednesday morning in Kentucky! All is terrific…but a bit wet. We have had a substantial amount of rain lately in Lexington and I understand Louisville has had their share as well. With all of the Kentucky Derby and Oaks preparations going on in that city now, the rain has even caused some changes in the training schedules for several of the horses. It is supposed to lighten up soon….so HOOVES CROSSED. Dottie did tease me and say that it is sunny and pretty in California right now.
I truly want to thank ALL OF YOU who participated in the contest by either mailing in an entry and / or voting for one of the four contestants. All of the cards were beautifully done and very sweet and emotional to read. As stated in an earlier Diary, right before leaving for the barn this morning, John was going to check his computer at 5 a.m. CA TIME and finalize the WINNER. He did just that!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ZENYATTA BRONZE WINNER…..DAWN CONRAD!
Wow, Dawn! You really recapped so much of my life. Thank you for all of your thoughtfulness and kind words. I AM SO HAPPY for you! I can’t wait to hear where you place ‘ME’…once I’m settled in at your home in Cedaredge, Colorado.
This contest has been so MUCH FUN! What has been especially meaningful to me is how much I have meant to so many of you. I did realize people really enjoyed watching me DANCE, RACE and TRAIN, however, I did not get the full impact of what my efforts and achievements symbolized to so many of my friends until this contest. I am deeply, deeply touched.
May all of you have a very special day! I know you have really made mine a day to remember.
Again…YEAH, DAWN!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Lou Ann
Congratulations Dawn! (Love you Zenny!!!)
Erin
Whew! The drama is finally over. And from judging other comments, I’m not alone in this feeling. Hopefully, no more petty,self-centered me me me. Let’s focus our Big Girl, racing and the horse industry like we used to. Thanks everyone
Terry Crow
@Sharon Call-I did not read the Blood Horse article but there is an organization out here in California headquartered in Riverside County by the name of California Equine Retirement Foundation, or CERF for short, which has been “in business” more than 10 years. I have often contributed. I do not know what the amount is, but for a certain type of donation you can receive a print of a creation painted by Zenyatta herself., including a photo of the Queen actually painting the picture.
Debbie G
Congrats Dawn! I’m so glad to hear from you again Zenny. I have missed reading your daily posts. Hopefully it will start drying out here soon. Loving you in Lexington :-)
vicky o'connor
Congratulations Dawn!
Sheri Osborne
Congrats Dawn! You did great! I voted for you! And no need to thank us Zenyatta! It was the least we could do for all you have done for us! Yeah its been pretty wet up here in IN too. To many storms! But I guess that just means its spring! Haha! I love you sooooooo much Zenny! :D
Cynthia H.
Congratulations to the lucky new owner of Zenyatta 19! Everyone who entered the contest is a winner, because they recognize and appreciate the wonderfulness of Zenyatta and the meaningful role which she has played in their lives. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this on behalf of all of the fans, Dottie!
Yvonne and Maurice Kirby
Hi Zenyatta. I have really missed your diaries. Congratulations to Dawn – I just know you are crying right now knowing that you won the beautiful statue of Zenyatta. Well deserved.
Zenyatta, please stay dry. We have been having our share of wild weather in Texas, tornados, giant hail, winds – whoa! Please be toasty in your barn, eat well, keep those pears and bananas comin and have loads of fun with your paddock buddies. Love you, Angel in Disguise.
Pamela J Hebert
Hi Zenny!! Great to hear from you. Congratulations to Dawn. How gracious in your acceptance. Hope you have a special place for your statue. Zenny- what’s next? You always have something else for all us fans? Keep your hooves dry sweetie!!! Hugs & kisses honey!!
Linda in NJ
Dear Dawn: Congratulations!!! I can tell from your postcard that you have taken winning this contest to heart and will really treasure this very special #19 Zenyatta Bronze–especially with it is coming from Team Z. It is so very special and you are so very lucky.
Hi Zenny: Like the rest of your fans, it is so good to have you back. BTW, did you tell Dottie about all the girl talk going on about Mike. Lol.
Kathy Baldwin
All best wishes to Dawn! Another cute pic of Mike. Nice! :)
Love & Blessings to you Zenny and all of your special “Connections”,
Kathy from SoCal
Cindy from LA
Hey Mike
Whose very large postcard are you holding?
Dera Zenny
So glad to hear from you. The weather has been so
Midwest in KY. Soon it will be sunny and warm. Hope
The mud does not disappear. May be LE make
You a mud hole all summer to help keep cool. Have been
Donating to Old Friends to help your retired friends.
Good luck to all the equines in the Derby and Oaks.
Safe trips for all. Blessings too Gilded Gem and her connections
So shocked this happened to a 5 year old.
Sweet Dreams and XXXOOO
Anna Wiley
@Dawn Conrad: CONGRATULATIONS!!! I loves your postcard. I voted for you; when I voted, I saw that you already had the most votes. I had my fingers crossed!!! I’m SO glad you won. It’s good to see that you’re posting on the website again!
@Zenny: How are you, Big Girl??? I love you soooo much! Have a good Easter?
@Lynn: I do not know if Zenny and Berni have had another date yet, but I can’t wait for when they do!!! The Zenyatta-Bernardini foal will be AMAZING, and I CAN’T WAIT for it to come!
@Zenny: Well, have you had another date with Berni? :D :D
See you soon, Girl!
Luv,
Anna
Sharon in Ohio
Congrats to Dawn…you are blessed and your postcard was picked because of your deep and adoring love for Zenny. You expressed your heart felt feelings and it made you a winner !! You could tell that you put your heart and emotions, all that you could fit on that little postcard! When you get your Mini Z…I am sure you will hug it many many times before you place it !! Get a special hug for all of us fans! ((((Z)))))xoxoxoxoox
Kirren
CONGRATULATIONS DAWN!!! I am so happy for you!
It’s good to hear from you, Z. I hope you’re having a wonderful time with the girls in spite of the wet weather. It should make for lots of nice mud baths! :D
Guido
We love you to death Z! We really, really hope we can visit you. Keep us posted on that please.
Anna Wiley
@ EVERYONE: Well, with the Derby approaching fast, we are all excited about who will win this year, and if we will have another Triple Crown winner. I am very inexpiriencedin horse-racing, and hardly know anything about it(since I am only 11 years old!). I would love to hear all of your views on the contestants, and why or why you think they might win, or why you think they might not. So far, I think my top pick is Uncle Mo. Once again, I would love to hear what you think!!
Hugs to all~(as our dear friend ZENYATTA would say :D)
-Anna
Roberta Smith
Congratulations Dawn! I, too, voted for you! Your thoughts were so true and so very, very meaningful. Thank you! We all love Zenyatta so much. She is a real TREASURE! The Moss’s are so lucky and we are too because they have let us share her with them. I know you will love the Queen’s statue! I really am jealous but love all you had to say! Congratulations again. Enjoy looking at your mini Zenyatta every day!
Trina Nagele
Congratulations, Dawn!
And to Vicki Vinson, Valarie Franklin, and Georgia Harper: Congratulations to you, too—this was a Grade I stakes race for sure, with nothing but the very best entered. You all have written great tributes to the Queen, and each reveals a part of the Truth. You have all exhibited grace under stress and exemplify the Zen effect. Thank you! Thanks again also to Team Z for a marvelous contest.
peggy
Dear Dawn, I am so so happy for you. Congratulations. I know your going to take wonderful loving care of this great statue. Now you know you should put a picture out somewhere with it. I know though, your going to put it in a wonderful place. I thought of you today too, we are having a South Ga Golf Classic beginning today John Smoltz former Atlanta Braves pitcher is playing. Know you love golf too. Seems like it is going to be much fun for the area. Any thought on the derby winner. I don’t know. I have seen Calvin Borel ride in Kentucky and he absolutely loves churchill All I can say is whomever he rided lookout……….I make my decision of whom I choose usually after I have seen the draw. I don’t know I just usually like to wait untill right before the derby. I picked it right last year, but we’ll just have to see about this year. Don’t want to Jinx myself. @Zenyatta I know you all have been having bad weather there so you take really good care of yourself. Be happy and may God Bless you and Everyone.
Linda in NJ
@Anna Wiley: My top pick is Uncle Mo too. I wish I could be there at the Kentucky Oaks too. I would love to see the Moss’s win with Zazu!!
Leslie
Thank you Dottie, John, the Mosses, and all of Team Z for having this contest and so generously giving away the #19 bronze of Z! Not many people would do that! You are so special and TOO CUTE! :-) I love how you talk Z! So, congratulations to you Dawn. I was very moved by all your words in describing how you feel about Zenyatta and the spirit she embodies. I feel the same. Again, congrats.
Robyn Mullhausen
Congratulations Dawn!!! Good for you. Love, love, love!
peggy
Just to let everyone know. I got an email for Secretariat.com today. They are having an entersting contest too. Someone could win a call from Penny Chenery. They are going to be at Churchill on I think May 8 in person. She and Ron. I wish I was going to be there. I had wished that they were at the Breeders cup last year. I was sad that I didn’t see them there. Maybe maybe maybe though some day I will get to see them. Love love love Big Red…..Always
Kim S
Glad to hear from you Zenny. Know the weather has been rough. Hope everyone at LE is doing well.
YEA!!! Congratulations Dawn!!! So excited for you.
Thanks again to Team Z for their time and effort with the contest. It was very exciting. Everyone have a great Wednesday night and rest of the week
Lotsa love to all.
Deborah Richman
Congratulations Dawn!! I’m so happy for you, and I can tell by your entry and by all your posts that the dancing bronze z will have a very treasured place in your home :)
Zenyatta, I am so glad you have caught a glimpse of what a far-reaching impact you have had in the lives of so many.
KIMBERLY
Congrats Dawn! Your special card to Zenyatta really expressed what ALL of us are thinking!! Nitey Nite ZZZZZZZ.
Linda/Maryland
Congrats Dawn~!! I am so excited for you~!! Hopefully you can post a picture of Zenny located in your house. How wonderful.
Thanks for your update today Zenny~! We love to hear from you. Are you going to go watch the Kentucky Derby??? HOW WONDERFUL that would be.
Love you Zenyatta~!!
Gloria Jeanne
If I had a Zenyatta Bronze it would be placed on my nightstand so that when I lay in bed before falling asleep I could gaze upon it and have such wonderful dreams of Z. Congrats to Dawn and a huge THANK YOU TO DOTTIE AND THE TEAM!!! This was such a wonderful event. Zenny – stay safe and fun.
Gloria Jeanne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47rQkTPWW2I&NR=1
This is random, but I had to share, I hope you enjoy it.