Good Morning All,
It is such a fun time! I’m hearing the weather in California is a bit cooler than it is here. I am so enjoying all of my time outside…snacking on this very tasty Kentucky Blue Grass.
Many of you asked in the responses about our contest winner, MISS # 19…Dawn Conrad. Well, it is TOO CUTE! Dawn actually went to California on a bit of a holiday and asked Dottie if she and her friend could visit BARN 55. Here she is with STEVE…..standing right in MY STALL! She looks fabulous!
Dawn spent her time at the barn visiting with the horses and all of MY TEAM. She truly enjoyed herself and sent Dottie a wonderful message yesterday. Since so many of you asked how she is doing, I’d like to share parts of her email with you! (Dawn is fine with this.)
“Once I introduced myself as the lucky owner of #19, congrats were offered and we all went to Zenyatta’s stall for some pictures. What fun and how special I felt!!!”
“Then there were the beautiful horses!! Ebby was so gorgeous and such a sweetheart. You can certainly see some of Zenny in her as well as Bernardini, especially in her coloring and lovely top line. Received a kiss from Nereid and Mr. Commons was a perfect gentleman. Then it was on to see Makoma and meet Winston. I could have spent days talking with everyone and going from one stall to the next. I agree with the sentiment of John’s you voiced in today’s diary. After the time I spent at the ‘Clinic’, it was great for my soul to hug the horses. (I did get good news from the clinic. Yippee!!)
“The only thing that could have made it better was seeing Zenyatta, herself. I could picture her standing in her stall or grazing under her trees. It was a bit bittersweet for me having never met her while she was there. I had tried making it to California and the Breeder’s Cup, but the timing did not work out. To lay my hand on her neck as I did Ebby’s will be a hope I will hold in my heart forever.”
“Everyone speaks of her with great pride and just a touch of sadness. You can tell John misses her a great deal.”
How special of Dawn to share her thoughts with Dottie after the visit. I must add that Dottie did agree with her that John really does MISS ME…as does all of MY TEAM. In reality, I was at Barn 55 for over 4 1/2 years. I never left their sight for one moment. We spent countless hours together and have so many cherished memories.
In life, it is such a GREAT FEELING to know that you are missed, you are loved, and you can touch someone’s soul to such a degree!
I am truly SO FORTUNATE!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Debbie
Zenyatta, you touch the the heart of mankind. You allow us to get in touch with a realm of emotions. You bring out the best in people. I was fortunate in that I got to visit you on my birthday. I’ll never forget looking into your beautiful eyes and feeling like you could see into my soul. You have made such a huge impact in this world. Your life continues to give back many ways… These posts, your involvement in charities, your loving team. I hope that precious little foal has a heart like her mamas. You’re one in a million!
savannah
dear z,
i sucks that u are retired but if secretariat was in ur time period i would have loved 2 see u both race a mare against a stallion
Cynthia H.
@Susan in TN: Thank you very much. I could not agree more—-Zenyatta and Secretariat gave me ‘chills” unlike any other horses, either before or since.
@Sarah Powell: What is it about this site which turns on the water works? It seems as if I have a cry at least once every new diary entry.
@Kimberly Potter: Thank you, Kimberly. I will pass the tissues once Sarah passes them to me.
@Karen Gogue: You DO express yourself “like that.” Thank you for your beautiful post. I, too, saw The Diver race in all but one of his Hollywood Gold Cup races, including the last. I can never forget the way he used to run, almost as if he were on the open plains, and not being guided by a jockey at all. I was crushed at the news of his sudden death.
Paul
I only wish I could have been in Dawn Conrad’s shoes as she visited barn 55 in California. I would love to meet your old buddies from out there, Zenyatta. I guess it’s somewhat true that your old stall out there is a museum of sorts. That stall is not the same without you out there. Tons of people out there really miss you, some to the point of crying. I am close to that myself. Sounds like you’re really enjoying that Kentucky bluegrass, girl.