Good Morning,
What a week of CELEBRATION and FUN! Earlier this week, I was involved in the INSPIRE Portion of the Professional Business Women of California Conference. Then yesterday, LOOK WHAT HAPPENED!!!!
As you know, this year at the Eclipse Awards, MY TEAM won the SPECIAL AWARD for their CONTRIBUTION TO THE INDUSTRY. The Awards Committee technically named the recipient…TEAM ZENYATTA! That evening, Ann and Jerry accepted the Award on behalf of MY TEAM! Then something absolutely fabulous happened. My wonderful, loving, and charming owners went to the Eclipse Committee and worked with them during the past few months to have an Eclipse Award made for EVERY MEMBER of MY TEAM. This is so sweet, so generous, and so loving of them! Thank you, Ann and Jerry, for making this wonderful moment happen for each of them!
John and Dottie received their Award from Ann and Jerry the other evening at dinner. Ann gave Dawn her Award Tuesday en route to the PBWC Conference in San Francisco. April and Jeanne Mayberry live in Ocala…so their Awards were Fed-Expressed to them. David was given his by the Moss’ when they visited ME while here for the Kentucky Oaks last week! Isabel will receive her Award later this week.
All of the other Awards were given out YESTERDAY AT BARN 55! Each person went out on ‘my grazing area’ and opened his/ her box! Each Award has the individual’s name on it…along with the proper acknowledgments and inscription from the Eclipse Committee! There were tears and smiles of complete JOY! Every single person in this group (except Mike who had 2 for his riding accomplishments) commented that they had seen the awards on TV…but NEVER thought they would have one of their own!
As for ME, I truly am elated to see this photo! I love these people so much. They devoted so many hours to helping ME to be the best I could possibly be, and they shared countless hours of training, work, and love with ME!
From the bottom of my HOOVES, I also want to THANK Ann and Jerry for doing this for every member of MY TEAM! In life, it is these special moments that can be cherished forever. To know you are appreciated, and your work and all of your efforts did not go unnoticed, means so very much! As a matter of fact, it means more than words can ever express!
May this photo bring a smile to your day! It did mine!
With love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
P.S. This is TOO CUTE! Carmen (Mario’s wife and one of my hotwalkers for years) was not able to be there at this time. So Mario rewrapped the box very neatly…so she could have the thrill of opening it up and being surprised. How adorable is this!
WILD HORSES
Too cool!
Everyone is very deserving and we all know you have the absolute BEST owners in the business. You and all your connections are so lucky. Lori
Pat Beck
This brought tears my my eyes, lovely Z. I love you and your family so much. This gesture by your mom and dad is so typical of their generosity. I also want to point out the positive impact you’ve had on the “industry.” I’ve noticed that there appears to be more loving kindness in the print and tv coverage of my favorite sport. It’s as if they’re talking to people like us–your fans.
Tatia
As always, the Mosses show nothing but pure class. You are one lucky gal, Z!
Sue Noel
Like so many others,I,too,burst into tears upon reading this post!! What a marvelous,caring,and generous gesture on the part of the Mosses. Whew–it DOES just keep getting better and better!! What an AMAZING family you have Queen Z!!!!! One of the things I do at my job is page people over a loudspeaker when they have a phone call. I was still sniffling away after reading the post when some calls came in and it was very hard to speak without just breaking down!!
Loved getting to see all those happy faces–the pride and gratitude they were feeling sure came through!!
I continue to treasure this website, and all the friends you have made,Z,more and more each day!!
Gloria
Big Mama Z! That story brought tears to my eyes. Just one more time, I would like to say Jerry and Ann Moss are why the word “CLASS” is in the dictionary. What extraordinary people they are. You are all so fortunate to have each other. This diary entry made my day! Love to all of Team Zenyatta!!
Sharyn Priester
What a generous gift from Jerry and Ann! They are the best! Your team is so deserving – you are the best!
Deneen
Absolutely wonderful!!!!! And notice the picture was taken under Zenyatta Way — Love it!!!!!
Cheryl Smith
Team Zenyatta Foever!
Lisa in Colorado
This made me sob with tears of joy and happiness, and respect for kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit. Ann and Jerry are to be commended.
Z: you are perfection – and surrounded by goodness and light and energy and wonderful people. I love you and your connections. Thanks for making me smile every day when I visti this site.
Ingrid in MA
You were indeed blessed to have this special family in your life, Zenny, and WE were blessed that they were nice enough to share YOU with us! What a wonderful thing for the Mosses to do for the Team! You can see on everyone’s faces the pride and joy they take in their roles as caretakers to you. And Mario – you can see how honored he is,yet also how much he misses YOU, Dear Girl! Your Team is simply The Best,Zenny!!
Love you,Sweet Zen!
Janie
How great that every team member was recognized by the Mosses with their own Horse of the Year Award, Zenyatta – it shows that it takes a village to successfully accomplish such greatness. Each member has their own area of expertise and they work together as a TEAM to make it all come together just right. And boy, did TEAM Z ever do that! You all worked together like a well-oiled machine time and time again. Congratulations to all!
Mary
Zenyatta, So glad you mentioned Mario’s wife Carmen. I was sad to not see her in the picture and thought she was left out. You are one lucky horse, Zenyatta, to have this special, loving Team.
When do your fans get to see you? This summer???
Hugs and Prayers
Barb France
The tears of joy are flowing again…what a wonderful gift to all those on Team Z!! Mr. & Mrs. Moss are, to me, the most giving and beautiful people I have ever met. Not that I know them personally but when I was with a group of fans outside watching Zenyatta graze at Churchill in November, the Mosses were there talking with everyone as if they knew us all. They spent time signing autographs and answering questions from everyone. So this does not surprise me that they would do something so special for their TEAM!!! They are truly amazing couple and that is why Zenyatta is so loved by us all!!! She is surrounded by LOVE!
Toi
Wonderful! Just wonderful!
Celeste
Oh, my! This is so beautiful and so special, I have tears in my eyes because this is just so very sweet and kind. Another confirmation that the Mosses go way over and above in caring for the wonderful Team Zenyatta. I cannot even begin to imagine how thrilled all of your people must be – wow! Words just fail me because this is so overwhelmingly generous and caring, but that is the reason that you are the great Zenyatta – the wonderful team behind you to help you develop all of your talents. Before I just babble on and on, I’ll stop with another thank you for sharing this beautiful photo.
Brenda
What a wonderful effort by Mr. & Mrs Moss to have TEAM ZENYATTA recognized in such a spectacular way, they all deserve a huge thank you for everything they did, and continue to do for you. As a British born Canadian I think it would be great to see Carlton House win the Derby for the Queen – she has loved horses and supported the industry for so long she would a worthy winner. Hooves crossed for Carlton House!
Barb France
I just love seeing everyone’s smiles…thank you Dottie for sharing!! Sure brightens my day!
Sue
hi Z, I am hoping that we could see the video that was viewed during the INSPIRE portion of the event you took part in this week. I am sure all of us would love to see the video. Please if you could add it to a link or even on your facebook wall. love ya
Karen
Congratulations to all!!! And the best to everyone and to the most treasured and beautiful horse in the world—Beloved Zenyatta.
Debbie G
Congratulations to Team Zenyatta. That is TOO COOL that the whole team gets an award. I can’t think of anyone else who would do that. You have the best team around, Zenny, hooves down. That’s why you are so loved. Not only are you the most special, wonderful, incredible horse there is, but you are surrounded by these amazing, generous, classy people. And on top of it all you are TOO CUTE!! Loving you in Lexington :-)
Linda/Maryland
Zenny, you surely have the most wonderful TEAM of any horse ever~!!! They helped and supported you throughout your career! They kept you shining and physically on the TOP. Not only with the actual things each did for you but with the LOVE each of them had and has for you!! That is love is so special. Just think how wonderful all horses lives would be if they had a TEAM like yours!
Love you Zenny~!!!!
LauraJ
Lovely gesture on the part of the Mosses. Mario re-wrapping the box–charming!
—
For those following the Old Friends situation, there is good news. According to an update sent today, they “are working on several ideas to put Old Friends on firm financial footing and expanding our operation so that more deserving Thoroughbreds can enjoy their well-earned retirements. I can say that because of your trust and generosity we are in a position to meet all of our financial obligations.” They got some significant donations from supporters including the Mosses, many smaller donations, and auction items. They also got some legal help.:-) The whole update should be posted on their Facebook page in the near future.
judy berube
Dear Laura J,
Any news on Better Step Aside? I saw that he last worked at Charlestown on 5/10/11. Hugs, Judy B.
judy berube
PS: good news about Old Friends. J. B.
Pamela Hill
zenny, you are a super horse for sure. but you stay in the limelight because of exceptional people like the mosses and all of your team. God Bless you all!!
Lydia
My dear sweet Zenyatta. I’m so happy that you came to the Moss’. They are so loving and giving. And John, such a caring individual. He always brought you home safe and sound. What’s best for the horse always comes first. I wish all racehorses could be blessed like Queen Z.
So many kind words were shared on this post today. There are not enough words to describe what you and Team Zenyatta have done for the horse racing industry. The life of a racehorse is starting to improve because of the standard that Team Z has set. I pray that more owners and trainers will care for their animals in the same way.
Congratulations to Team Zenyatta. You go beyond the word “class”. Thanks Dottie for all of your hard work in keeping this post going. It means so much to us.
And you, my pretty, good night. Love you more than words can express.
Rosemarie Cola
Very cool! Congratz to all, you all deserve your awards and so much more. Thank you for giving us this great mare and all the great memories!
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
An interesting article about your little sanctuary: htt://www.calracing.com/stable_notes.php?f=zenyattasstallconvertedtosanctuary
……………………………
Also..GOOD LUCK to Tiz Gianni (Giacomo’s Colt out of Tiz Precious) on Sat. Race 7 #9 with ‘Your Mikey Aboard!’ Go Team :)
Maggie
Amazing. SO well deserved!
DJ
http://www.calracing.com/stable_notes.php?f=zenyattasstallconvertedtosanctuary
(may not work but you can look up Bloodhorse.com)