Happy Friday to All~
I can’t believe another week has gone by…and so quickly! Lots of different things have happened during the course of this week and I’ve heard lots of good news. We’ve certainly had fabulous health updates for several people including our friend, Dawn Conrad! All of this news is so, so special!
Remember the HAT GAME I used to play with MY JOHN? Well, apparently it is still going strong at Barn 55. I guess because MY JOHN always wears a baseball type cap (and I do mean always) that the horses he works with each day just love to play with these hats.
Yesterday afternoon, while Mr. Commons was outside grazing, relaxing and enjoying the California sun, he decided it was his turn to play my game. Bruce was there with him! He let Bruce sit on the saw horse bench, scratch his neck, hug him and play with him. In return, Mr. Commons decided he would ‘tease Bruce’ and started playing with his cap! Within moments, Mr. C was playing the HAT GAME with him…and totally took off his cap and handed it back to Bruce!
It was all TOO CUTE! Everyone at Barn 55 was laughing…and Mr. Commons was really proud of himself for getting Bruce’s cap. I know this feeling. I loved to play this game with MY JOHN.
There are so many FUN THINGS like this one that happen each day in our lives. The experiences are so sweet, yet extraordinary, and most importantly they make us LAUGH! I’ve been told that there is a very famous saying which describes what I’m trying to say…..TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES! It is really so much fun to truly appreciate the joy and beauty of these special moments.
Lucky US!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Signofthetimes
@Laura J
I would love to have any of Barbaro’s full siblings
As my horse. Definitely all are awesome. Just trying
To make the point of trying to recreate one. The jackson’s
Are lovely people. In fact, I felt their heart was in it to
try and save Barbaro and they were very connected to
Him emotionally and knew when it was time. We put forth
Valiant efforts to save humans so why not the Great
Barbaro. He looks so much like my TB a light bay boy.
So nice to hear the Jackson’s were able to purchase a filly.
Their determination to continue breeding his Sire and
Dam show their true love for Barbaro. The Mosses were so
Lucky that Z stayed so healthy safe and sound.
Maggie N
@LauraJ, Oh, he’s pretty big. Around 27 inches ( give or take) 200lbs and a huge clown. In fact we just came in the house from sitting on the front porch where he HAS to sit on moms lap! My neighbor has a Mastiff also, but has all of his friends look at mine when I let him out because he is so big
Signofthetimes
@Bonnie
That is a great photo of Z. She had never
Been in a large group of very fast boys that
Were kicking it up. Most of her races were with
Smaller numbers and with females that did not
Kick up dirt as their were not so many girls together
That were as fast as all these top notch boys. It is
So amazing she did so well and it also makes sense
That she was stumbling because she could not see.
This was her maximum test and it was a time for her
To move onto another job. More races like this
Would not have kept her safe and sound. I commend
Mike for sitting quietly and letting her work it out. And then
Come to a screeching halt behind Lookin at Lucky
And the muster the stretch drive she did is the mark
Of the TRUE CHAMPION THAT SHE IS !!!!!
Katie
Love the Rags to Riches comments. What a filly she was to run that race!
I LOVE that Rags to Riches is half sister to Bernardini.
She will be auntie to Z’s baby.
Vicki Riechers
I have visited a lot of barns in my years with racing but barn 55 is so special. I was able to visit you Zenyatta and chat with “YOUR JOHN” and as the leader of Barn 55 he has established a barn filled with love and with horses and people truly enjoying and respecting one another. John is so amazing and special that I get goose bumps typing this remember the feeling I had walking through Barn 55. Brave to you John for the amazing environment you create for your employees and horses. You should start a TRAINERS UNIVERSITY and the back stretch would be filled with happy horses and employees. John loves what he does and he loves his horses and it shows. BRAVO!
Diana Hanson
It is fun to just goof off every once in a while. Really cute! Have a great weekend Zen!
Linda/Maryland
You are right Zenny Mr Commons is TOO CUTE playing your hat game!
LOVE YOU Zenny~!
KIMBERLY
What a cute picture. It is truly a sign of how a horse is treated on how a horse will act. John and Barn 55 are wonderful people. How do I know? LOOK AT THE HORSES! ALL HAPPY!!!
Irene Caty
Hi Zenyatta, you are right we should all take time to smell the roses and i do know that and do practice that when I know it is what to do. I did this watching you race because I knew very well it was once in a lifetime thing. I did convence my daughter and husband that this was the time to stop and smell the roses and they joined me in doing so and now are so glad they did. I love you very much Zenny and wish you to stay well and be happy. I have to know you miss all the wondefull times you had at barn 55.
Sally W
One time for a gift I got an apple scented shampoo. It smelled wonderful and not thinking I washed my hair with it and then went riding. I’m 5’3″ and my Bum was 16.3 and he used to rest his chin on my head. This day he kept putting my hair in his mouth. I could not figure out what he was doing. He did this several times as my cousin stood there laughing. She walked over by me, laughed again and said your head smells like a bushel of apples!!! Well, I ended up with some horse spittle wet hair and never used that shampoo before I went riding again. It was quite funny – I’m sure Bum wondered why those apples weren’t edible!!!
suew
@Signofthetimes, I agree! She overcame such tremendous odds at the BC last year and to lose by mere inches is nothing short of amazing. On any other day she would have won by several lengths. Like others have said…Zenny WAS the best horse on the track that day. She is all heart!
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: Mr. Common’s is too cute. He is handsome. I have a couple of nice pics of him from the Preakness.
@Cynthia H and @ Barbara C: I hope to see you tomorrow. I try to get there for the 1st race. And meet you at the Paddock.
@Trina Nagele–I’m in for D-Day. I have your contact info.
– Linda
Quarterhossgal
Zenny…you and Mr. Commons having fun removing ball caps reminds me of one of my horses. My husband was putting up some fence in the pasture and had placed his hammer in his back pocket when my playful gelding pulled the hammer out of his pocket and ran off with it in his mouth. We stopped our work for a good laugh. Enjoy the Belmont, it should be a great race.
judy berube
Dear Kathy Kimber:
Thank you so much for your kindness. You and all the Z Fans on this site are just caring and loving people. We have a Blessing of the Animals at our church, St. Paul’s, also. That’s great that you’re putting in a petition for Z. I’m glad your healthy again. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Abigail in Montreal:
The Festival sounds great. Love your description of the hockey game. We’re Bruins fans here in New England. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z,
Goodnight. Love you. Judy and Russ
Sue M
I love reading everyone’s comments and seeing the pics of Mr. Commons and Bruce playing the hat game. I posted earlier about leasing a QH. It is coming closer as I’ve found a place for him to stay that’s close to where I live. He might not know the hat game, but he DOES know what a “cookie” is and if you ask him if he wants one he snorts and snuffles his nose and nods his head. It’s really too cute!! Keep posting Z, we love you.
ira
Glad you’re feeling good and happy!
Sarah Skeeters
I hope you are staying healthy and happy! Love you Z!
Karen Gogue
@Mary Copelin, Sue Noel, Trina Nagele:
So sorry, just now read all post I’ve missed! Been in and out all day – watched racing shows and now TVG HP. Still trying to recover from Dawn’s beautiful post :) ****
Mary and Sue – Didn’t know you left messages for me on back post or would have responded sooner! Sue, love your ‘plot off site’! Still pondering (plotting), but must respond to Trina first. So sorry she had to put out her phone # (I know no one here will take advantage) but have to ask my son before I give out our phone # – it’s his phone and he’s camping. He’ll be back tomorrow so I’ll be able to give out my info, ok?
OK, here’s some of the D-Day that might interest everyone. I see now getting word out will probably not be a problem – yes! The idea I like, but maybe others not so much – it may even fizzle – but it involves no $$$ for anyone and no travel for anyone ( unless they want too, of course) And maybe it’s not as complicated as it appears to be right now. But, please, I need to call Trina first and then we can POS (plot off site). I want so, so much to make this happen for “you know who”, as I’m sure you are too. Promise to get my contact info out tomorrow – will call Trina tomorrow (too late to do so now, sure it’s after midnite for her)
Thank you Dawn C., Linda in NJ, Mary, Sue, Trina, and others interested. I believe we can make this work! :) LOL Karen P.S. – Zenny I love you more and more!
Karen Gogue
One more thing – Kirren, please kiss your bronze with an extra kiss for us! How wonderful for you!
Karen Gogue
Hi, it’s me again :( – I have an e-mail but don’t know how to chat or anything else (other than get John’s training videos and some horse racing news sent to me. Sorry, I am learning little by little. Thanks again! GoodNite all.
candi cartier
ooh mr. common is so handsome intellegent and funny I like his dappole like zenny.He is a gorgeous horse.My queen what are you doing lately, we missed you and love you candi.
Marshall (girl's name)
Thanks for the great “hat trick”, Zenyatta! Mr. Commons looks great and so handsome! And you, my girl, are simply gorgeous! You are timeless!!
@Laura J: You hit the nail(s) on the head(s). Well said! We all have our equine hero(es), and it can be very personal. It is also very time-specific as it relates to the era and to us. Secretariat is the horse of my youth, and Zenyatta is the horse of my present age/century. One does not compare them; one simply adores them!
@Dawn Conrad: Thank you so much for the wonderful description of Claiborne Farm! It made me feel as if I were there! So very happy to have you back and with good news on your health. We missed you!
Hope all competitors have safe trips tomorrow at Belmont! I have a soft spot for Animal Kingdom! I hope they will return to “New York, New York” for the song! The one they used last year, “Empire State of Mind” was a poor choice, I think. It took me a little while to accept the switch from “The Sidewalks of New York”(East side, West side”) to “New York, New York”, but both of those are sing-along type songs which, in my humble opinion, is very important for the “theme song” for a Triple Crown race – a singable melody for a group rather than a solo performance piece. Just a thought.
Have a wonderful Belmont Stakes Day!
Bonnie MacRaith
@Signofthetimes….I think more than anything else it was the mud…the Classic was run on dirt…Z had never run on dirt before, it was always synthetic turf…so it had rained before the race, the dirt turned to mud, something she’d never had kicked in her face by male or female horses…Mike said at first she didn’t know what it was and was kind of shocked then when she figured it out she was able to really start running. Smart little cookie that Zenyatta!
relientkislove
Ah Zenny, you made my day (:
Holly Zemba
Too cute!!!
Coach
Dottie,
My husband and I just watched, “On the Muscle”! It was great. I learned so much! Your job looks to be so, so fun:)
Diana S
@Dawn Conrad: YAY!!! I’ve been gone from here for several days, but lately have always scanned all the posts to see if your name is there. Finally, in Post #266 – there you are! You do know that the doctor ordered that Barn 55 medicine right?
Will catch up on rest of posts tomorrow – Belmont day. Night, y’all.
diastu in Tempe
Trina Nagele
OPERATION D-(FOR “DOTTIE”) DAY: @Karen Gogue—I’ll wait for your call. Be sure to start leaving a message since, as you know, that’s how I screen my calls. I’m so excited! BTW, I don’t type fast and have never used chat before either.