Happy Saturday Everyone!
I hope all of you are getting ready to have a wonderful weekend! I have been out grazing and ENJOYING LIFE THE ZENYATTA WAY! As I have mentioned to you before, the grass is amazing here. I’m really getting an opportunity to enjoy and experience the famous KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS! Also, look at the absolutely GORGEOUS CLOUDS! This environment is very special! I feel so fortunate!
Dottie LOVES this photo of ME…and she really wanted to share it with ALL of YOU! She thinks it almost looks like a painting of ME…rather than a photo! My coat is so healthy and I still have all of my dapples! She commented to ME that I look FABULOUS! Blush, Blush!
Also, thank you for all of your kind comments for Dawn Conrad. It truly is a GREAT PHOTO OF HER! You are right…she does look very HAPPY!
Everything else is going well! It is only one week to the Preakness so there is a buzz about that race everywhere. The Peter Pan runs today which is a warm-up for the Belmont. It is nice to see that the New York Racing Association brought this race back this year. Last year it was put ‘on hold’ due to budget cuts, so it is great to see this stake back on the schedule again. It should be a very exciting race!
I also want to mention another terrific thing that happened yesterday. My dear Family Friend, ALPHA MAMA, had an A.P. Indy colt last evening. Since A.P. INDY recently retired, this colt may be one of the last foals born to be sired by this amazing stallion. This baby is a big boy! He weighed in at 142 pounds and all is A-OK with both MOM and foal. This is TOO CUTE!
I’m just thinking ahead. 142 pounds…WOW! I know she is a very good-sized mare, but I would imagine that Alpha Mama is really glad that this foal is here and romping about now. This is all ‘food for thought’ for my future! I am really trying to keep up on all of these details and pieces of information as I continue to prepare for my next role…that of becoming a MOM!
Enjoy your day, today’s races, and your weekend!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~Especially ALPHA MAMA and her new A.P. INDY Colt
Z
evy
Beautiful photo. Thanks for sharing.
Shari Voltz
Good morning Zenyatta. What a picture. You are so beautiful I could never get tired of looking at you. Thank you Sarah :) I think if I saw you in person I could spend hours just watching you sweet girl. I think you look so happy and healthy. LE is taking such good care of you. I hope you get to have some rain free time today because it is raining again where I live. I have to run to Pitttsburgh today to take care of some shopping. It is a good day to do that since it is raining. I love you sweet one and send many Hugs and Kisses from Shari XXXOOO
@ Susan in Tn good luck today with your new job. Let us know how it goes.
@ Thank you for the funny video of the naughty pony. My husband and I laughed so hard. It was Too Cute :0
@ Good luck to Mr. Commons this Saturday. He is trained by our Great John Yea!!!!!
Joan Walls
What a beautiful picture. It sure would make a beautiful addition to your store, so that your adoring fans could purchase it. Unfortunately we are not able to get close enough to you to be able to try and get a picture our self. Zenny – you will be a fabulous MOM when your time comes. Your fans will all be nervous “grandmothers!”
You are just TOO CUTE. Love and hugs. Joan
theresa depew
You are as beautiful as ever “Z” my good friend and former trainer Russell(Rusty) Smith says you are doing well and everything looks good for your new arrival when the time comes.
Regina Pierce
From Heaven . . . You are indeed God’s Horse, Zenny, and an inspiration to us all! We love and adore you, you fabulous, GORGEOUS, Girl! xoxo -R
audreyc
@ Eveline – thanks for posting the link to the video Susan in TN mentioned about Ed the naughty pony. Oh my! He certainly is a very naughty pony…
The following is a bit long, but I thought it might be worth it, for the humor:
7 Stages of (Woman) aging on horseback:
1. Fall off pony. Bounce, laugh. Climb back on. Repeat.
2. Fall off horse. Run after horse, cussing. Climb back on, by shimmying up horse’s neck. Ride until sundown.
3. Fall of horse. Use shirt sleeve to stop the bleeding. Have friend help you get back on horse. Take 2 Advil, and apply ice packs when you get home. Ride next day.
4. Fall off horse. Refuse advice to call ambulance. Drive self to Urgent Care clinic. Entertain nursing staff with tales of previous daredevil stunts on horseback. Back to riding before cast comes off.
5. Fall off horse. Temporarily forget name of horse, and name of husband. Flirt shamelessly with paramedics when they arrive. Spend week in hospital while titanium pins are screwed in place. Start riding again before doctor gives official OK.
6. Fall off horse. Fail to see any humor, when hunky paramedic says, “You again?” Gain first hand knowledge of advances in medical technology through stint in ICU. Convince self that permanent limp isn’t that noticeable. Promise husband you’ll give up riding. One week later, purchase older, slower, shorter horse.
7. Slip off horse. Relieved when artificial joints and implanted medical devices seem unaffected. Tell husband scrapes & bruises are due to gardening accident. Pretend you don’t see husband roll his eyes and mutter, as he walks away. Give apple to horse…
Melissa
you are truly georgeous!!!
audreyc
To all who post links, stories, knowledge, etc. – thank you. In addition to getting wonderful updates on Zenyatta from Dottie, the input makes for a diverse, interesting, uplifting, thought-provoking, and very enjoyable site.
mj
Lovely picture Z-you now look like a serene mare in the full bloom of retirement. Thanks Dottie for your continued maintenance and contribution to this site. Best wishes for your trip to Pimlico!
Max
To fans of Black Caviar. I am happy to post any articles on her triumphs. I love all horses, but I do love especially to see mares and fillies do well. Black Caviar sounds a lot like Zenyatta. I enjoyed the part in the article which said that she smiled at the reporters when they left.
Trina Nagele
@audreyc—I loved your story of 7 stages of woman aging on (or off, as the case may be) horseback! I imagine it is part fact and part imagination. Terrific either way.
Jackie
Good Morning Queen “Z” Any picture of you is fabulous! You look so happy grazing and enjoying the Kentucky Blue Grass.
Congrats to Alpha Mama on her 142 lb foal. That is one large foal. With you being a big mare I would imagine your foal with Bernadini will be quit large as well. Certainly hope that does not present any concern or complications.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Hugs and kisses
Jackie
audreyc
@Trina Nagele- It was just a funny anecdote a friend sent to me, and I thought others might get a chuckle as well.
Patricia
Zen…I don’t think I missed any official news…but, are “thinking” about your new foal, because one is on the way…I know some things are private, so I will respect that. EIther way, glad to hear you are well!
XOXO
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
Happy Sunday! It is chilly and rainy here in So. Cal. But the birds are out and singing loudly their hymns.. Just a quick hello and I am OFF for the day! See you again when there is a new greeting from your generous “Z” family.
…………………………………..
Eveline: Well, at least Ed is predictable! When he is good he is VERY Good, and when he is naughty, he is VERY naughty!! “TOO FUNNY” thank you, I am still smiling :)
Carol T
When are we going to see photos from the Moss’s visit to Zenyatta the week before the Kentucky Derby?
Joyce
@ Margaret thanks for the interesting information on the foaling process. As a city girl all my life, these are things that I never have known. Since our wonderful Zenyatta has been sent to Lane’s End for the purpose of getting pregnant (whether now or later) it seems that it is great to learn some details for future reference.
One of the nicest things about our getting together on this site it to learn more about horses and horceracing.
But, I still wonder how Zenyatta will feel when her turn comes and her body starts to change. Do you think knowledgeable mares share any info for an inquiring mind?
Again, Zenny, my heart goes out to you in your wonderful pasture as so clearly shown in the beautiful picture (and yes it really looks like a painting!) so kindly provided for us. I, too, would dearly love to be able to purchase a print.
Love and kisses from Texas.
Lois Gillespie
Lovely Z, somewhere I read that Mr. Commons will be shipped first to Kentucky and then to Baltimore for the Preakness. Don’t know why, or even if true,but no matter- will your John come east with him for the race? And hopefully to stop by and see you? I hope a visit is in order –
Terry Crow
@Ensign-Thanks for the info on the horse that played the black. My only regret about Black Stallion day at Santa Anita is that Mickey Rooney was not there. @Margaret-Very interesting info on foaling.
Cindy from LA
@Cindy
The comments made were not meant to be
personal although you took them as such, which
Is your issue. It is great that you have read all
The books on breeding and are sharing. Making
Your later comment was quite inappropriately and
Not Z-like.
Zenny, Team Z and Team LE have requested
Privacy regarding her breeding and pregnancy
Issues. They have given us more than should
Be expected and we as posters need to RESPECT
THEM.
MaryAnn Donahue
Zenyatta, dear and lovely one you are. Words can be inadequate when trying to express your unique beauty. This image of you captures so much; I agree with Dottie that it looks like a painting. At first glance, I thought of Richard Stone Reeves’ paintings. He painted many of the great ones. And you are one of the Greatest!!
Please tell Sarah how beautiful her photograph of you is. One description of photography is “painting with light” and I think that is what Sarah accomplished with this.
Good day and best wishes to you, your team and all who post here with love.
Mary Ann
Margaret
@Joyce
There is a term here that I will try to use very sparingly. That is anthropormophic. I hope I have the spelling right. Anyway its putting people’s feelings to animals. Yes, animals have feelings although I’m not sure that they recognize them at such the way we do.
In wild horse society the mares job is to bring life into this world. She does so quite beautifully without any help from humans.
Z is different because she has always been domesticate. She relies on humans for food and treats. It would be understandable that she would rely on us to help her when that time comes. I don’t think she’ll give any thought to the physical changes she’ll go through. Her concern will always be–WHERE’s THE FOOD! When the time comes to wean her baby it’ll be tough for both of them. Ir’s that awkward stage–baby is ready to face life on his/her own–but that first big step is HUGE. A maiden mare (one that has never given birth before) is gonna be devastated for a few hours. Hopefully she’ll have other horsie friends to help her through this. Then she’ll go back to eating. Some mares look upon this time as a huge thank you because they already have another baby in the oven and the toll all this takes is huge.
Vicki B.
@audreyc – I liked the 7 stages humor, never heard that one before. And I liked your after-comment. Thanks.
Paula Higgins
Margaret, thank you for your information. This site IS about sharing and learning. You are so right.
AudreyC, laughed my head off!!!!!!!!! What a riot about the 7 stages of riding.
Max, thanks for the link. Black Caviar is something special. Isn’t it wonderful that we can have an “equine idol” instead of some of the less than wonderful/overpaid “icons” revered by some of the public?
Kinscem was otherworldly. Very possibly the greatest horse who ever lived in the recorded history of horse racing. I think she was Hungarian and is revered there. 54 wins speaks for itself.
Emma
Hi Z I miss you on the track but am glad you are enjoying life now.
Vicki B.
@Margaret – Do you mean, or do you know — in the wild, when foals are weaned, is it normally “tough for both of them”? I would think that naturally, when a foal is “ready to move on” a mare might also “realize” this (on a horse level), and then both would naturally make a change. But I don’t know if I’m idealizing things. Are you saying that normally the mare stops eating for some time (I’m guessing in reaction to not needing to produce milk)?
Cynthia H.
@Trina Nagele: thank you for your kind comment. You may be interested to learn, that there is a beautiful bronze of the great Kincsem (which I believe may have been Zenyatta in a previous life!) in the gorgeous Chandelier Room at Santa Anita.
judy berube
Dear Audreyc”
Laughing out loud. Loved your “Seven Stages”.
Dear Mas:
Black Caviar reminds me of Z too. She seems to have the same kind personality.
judy berube
To Max.: Did it again, sorry for the typo. J.B.
Cindy from LA
Dear Zenny
Just watched you maiden race as a three year
Old. I forgot how much talent and athleticism
You were born with. That race looked sooo easy.
You are truely as Nina Kaiser says one horse
In 10 million.
Have a wonderful relaxed day !!!!!!