Hello Everyone,
I am having such a great time! I want to share it with all of you. As Dottie mentioned (and yes, she will continue to do my Diary for you…as we are in daily communication)…each day I am introduced to new things here at the farm. She referred to it as ‘baby steps’…as I have not been at a farm since I was a yearling. Earlier in the week, I was out on the grassy area by my barn which is the same size as my grazing area in CA. Yesterday, Charles, one of my new friends, took me for a walk around one of the bigger paddocks. Remember, I have not experienced this in years. This was the next step in helping me to be exposed to a new paddock area. It was fabulous! While doing this, I noticed how beautiful it is here at the farm, the snow felt fabulous beneath my feet, and the weather was rather crisp—but nice. It reminded me of the kind of weather we have in CA when the barn first starts getting active (5-ish in the morning) in the winter time.
Charles would let me stop and stare at the view, the trees, and the paddocks. I love to just stand and look at the things around me. In CA, I could do this for hours when I was outside. I am able to do this here, too, for as long as I want. I had a great time!
There were also some people here taking lots of pictures of me for some magazines. (I think I look pretty good…if I say so myself.)
After my afternoon walk…I went back into the barn with my girlfriends. We had dinner and relaxed. We also got nice and cozy for the evening. This is super! I really like this routine.
I know that many of you have been worrying about me. I am doing GREAT! It is a bit of an adjustment, for sure, but a wonderful one. John had already been slowly starting to prepare me for the transition while I was still at the barn. He had different routines and patterns introduced into my daily schedule for weeks before I left. It was all done to help me with this transition to farm life. I am so fortunate to have people who love me and have great horsemanship skills in my life. They know exactly what is required to help me with every step of my well-being.
Charles, Todd and Andy all worked with John and Mario learning everything about me. These guys are doing everything perfectly. They know all of my likes and dislikes and are really trying hard to meet my every desire. They have been great!
Sarah is helping with the videos and photos. She has worked for David for a bit now and knows Dottie, John and the Moss’ very well. Then, of course, DAVID (Dottie’s son) is here! Remember, he is the one who ‘DISCOVERED ME’ at the Keeneland Sale way back in September of 2005. His efforts were so instrumental in my becoming a member of my Moss / Shirreffs Family. I really love to see him when he comes by the barn each day to visit. I can’t thank him enough for loving me way back when I was just a yearling…Hip #703! Again, LUCKY ME!
Please enjoy the photos we are trying to put on line for you. I am sending all of you ONE BIG KENTUCKY HUG! I know all of my friends at Barn 55 are reading my Diary each day…and I am sending BIG KISSES TOO! John told Dottie last night that Carmen was walking around the barn yesterday with my new KY photos on her cell phone! Everyone there is so, so proud of me and how well I am doing! I know one thing for sure…I AM ONE VERY LUCKY GIRL!
I will keep in touch.
With love,
HUGS~
Z
Liz Mahoney
Those new pictures of you walking around your new paddock are beautiful. Zenyatta, you girl are a hottie! Glad they have those boys on the farm stabled far away from you cause girl when they catch a glimpse of you there’ll be hoofs a stompin’ and tails a flyin’ to get to you first. Now I’m just wondering which one of those boys will be the lucky one that will be paraded out for you only to come back to the barn with that glimmer is his eye, strut to his step and the crown on his head for getting to be our Queen’s boyfriend for the year??????
Kathryn Cogswell
Well, ‘Z,’ it was time to go to the front of this ‘book,’ reading the older posts from the beginning. And what a treasure of revealing incidents! Especially on the second index page, the one entitled A MOMENT WITH EXERCISE RIDER STEVE WILLARD, which comes from Stephanie Diaz’ article in ‘The Pilot’ called “An Affair To Remember.” You were a handful, Ma`am. Steve sort of got you by default, but long/short . .. what a matched set! Your loving village can learn lots reading this very candid reflection — you are no wall-flower! Talk about a Rock Star! And what good fortune that you and Steve [and he credits Mario] were with John Shirreffs when they brought all that raw talent down to earth. ‘Thanks For The Memories?’ And How!! `Night.
Shari Voltz
Sweet Zenyatta,, Like everyone else please tell Dottie thank you for the posts. Saw the new pictures of you and you look so beautiul and happy walking around your new area. Your just so beautiful anyway. I just received one of your pictures in the mail. My husband got it for me as a Christmas present. It has been signed by Mike and Mario. Mario is in it with you. I am going to frame it and hang it in my house. I like everyone else feel so good inside just looking at you. Well sweet girl sleep well tonight and know that all of us love and care about you. Hugs and kisses from Shari in Ohio
Kathleen Marsh
Thanks for the update. You look lovely (as usual) against a backdrop of snow. I can’t wait to see what fun you have when they can finally let you out for a bit. That will seem so strange to you at first! Tell us about some of your new friends!
Linda / NJ
Hi Zennie: I would like to thank you and Dottie for today’s post. I really couldn’t wait until I got home from work to sign-on and visit your website to see how you are doing and to find out what you’ve been up to today. And here I came across these beautiful pictures of you looking so smashing against nature’s backdrop of winter wonderland. Wow, you look gorgeous! I can tell the Lanes End crew is taking very good care of you. Sounds like you’ve been so busy with all the interviews and photo shoots. I can tell you haven’t had a dull moment. Enjoy yourself, Z! Glad to see you are settling in and liking your new home and new friends.
Margaret Murphy
Hi Z:
I’m so happy to read how your doing. I think about you durng the day and my thoughts are of you being all alone in a strange place. It makes me sad. But when I read the post that you send I feel so much better. Thanking you for keeping us posted. Stay well and happy.
mars
Fantastic photos today. She looks great! Love seeing her photos walking with Charles, and getting pets and smiles. What a pleasure and thank you.
Debi Hamari
Queen Zenyatta,
So glad to get your daily updates. Dottie has such a perfect way of communicating all you want to say.
I am glad that you are happy in your new home and are making new friends. I must say that I miss watching you race. You truly are THE BEST!!
Love and hugs!
Karin
Dearest Zenyatta!
I just met you in CA and was instantly drawn to you. Thank you so much for sharing your new experience in KY. I travel their twice a year and hope to see you agian. I will stay with you and just can’t wait for you to foal. You…are a love.
Linda / Maryland
Evening Zen, I am so glad that you are enjoying your new home. We all were so worried that you wouldn’t like it in Kentucky after all of your exciting days in California, but it seems like things are going very well. It’s cold there isn’t it. It is cold here in MD too.
Enjoy your slower pace “Lady Zen”
Love you so~!!
Cathy P
Hi Zenyatta, I’m glad you are doing so well at your new home, and love the picture of the family (you, the Mass, and John)I can’t wait to see pictures of you and your girl friends. I love coming home from work and seeing what you have been up to for the today. YOU MAKE MY DAY!!!!! I can’t wait to be able to come see you soon, (hopefully in the summer around the end of June). Thank you Dottie for the updates, we all really appreciate them. BIG BIG HUGS, and love you sweet girl oxoxoxox.
Paula Higgins
Thank you Dottie for this. Gladdens my heart to know she is doing well. I know she went to a very good place, with good people. Makes me feel alot better since she can’t be back there with you. I know David and Sarah will be checking on her as well. You were so right about John being a horseman. He is and there is a huge difference between just racing horses and being a horseman. He is both. You are a gem as well. Many thanks for all your efforts for us.
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, Thank Dottie for doing your posts. I am so happy that she will keep your fans updated on you. I know I would be lost if I couldn’t hear from you. It sounds like you are starting to like it there. I am so glad that they are being so sweet and thinking of your needs so you can make a wonderful and happy transition to your new home. I hope one day just to get to see you. Take care sweet girl. I love you, Zenyatta!
Love, Amanda
Anita Carville
Thank you Zenny & Dottie! Your progress reports are so comforting and uplifting. So glad you are having fun. I can just picture you stopping to look around. One of the things I love about you the most. Such an observant girl. Dottie, could you please clarify the “lip chain” thing for us. Thanks so much. Love you, sweet Zenny!
Socorro
Thank you Dottie for keeping us updated on our Queen. We all miss her and wish her the very best, even though our hearts miss her. Please send our best to Carmen, Mario, Steven, Machelle, and John. You have a great team in CA.
Gina
I so appreciate your posts Dottie. I worried that she’d be sent off without you all, so it’s comforting to know some of her team is there helping her adjust to her new life. I wonder if she’ll miss racing and all the prep for it. I sure hope Lane’s End will allow us to visit as there are loads of us who would make the trip. Happy to hear photos are being taken, and I look forward to seeing them.
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, Glad to find you are doind so well. I am glad to hear that you can handle the weather so well. I know you always loved the sunny warm days in California. Glad to hear that you are making new friends and getting use to the new people around you. John and Mario are so wonderful to see that you have the same comfort as you had at barn #55. I think Dottie is a doll and appreciate her keeping up with your posts. Thank you, Dottie. You are surrounded with love of the people who have cared for you for the years you were at barn #55 and also you fans that miss you and are also worried for you.I am sure you know all this. You stay Happy and enjoy all your new friends. God Bless You and we will love you forever. Waiting for your next post Z.
ms bay meadows
Team Zenyatta–Thank you for these truly amazing updates, what a wonderful world you are sharing with us.
Fan in San Francisco
Bridget
Wow Z! What a brave girl you are!!!! It warms my heart to know that you are loving your new home, and you are so happy!. Today I rode my horse Boo, and I pretended he was you!!!! He was a bad boy and would only TROT! Actually, that’s just the way I like it. Lol! Stay happy!!! Love love love!!!!!!!!
xxoxoxox!!!!
Emily Shields
Thank you for giving us a daily update, I can’t stand not hearing how you are doing! I really appreciate it, Z!
Jess
Hay Big Girl, I miss you soooooo much!!! But I am looking forward to visiting you, as I am planning to move to Kentucky.
Big Hugs and kisses sweet girl, and drink Guneases for me too!
Sophie
OH YEAH!! I am so glad this zenyatta diary post is going to continue!! I started following zenyatta news at post#2, and now it has become my daily boost of the day! Zenyatta is my “role model” and “comforter” when I was feeling down, as I thought about her hard work & spirit to achieve what was considered impossible, and her attitudes towards it all. Thank you Dottie for all the great posts, pictures, and videos!! And thank you Moss’ for your generosity of sharing your horse with us!!
Jackie
Queen “Z’ sounds like your settling in quite well. Dottie, thank you so much for your continued updates. You have no idea how the fans so appreciate it!
Stay warm and enjoy your new home. Can’t wait for tomorrow to check the next diary post. I miss you so………….much.
Again, thanks to all who have made this journey a one in a lifetime experience.
Hugs and kisses.
OraJean Stevenson
Queen-Z & Dottie, Many thanks for remembering your fans, with these wonderful up-dates. Now, I must figure out how to see your fabulous pictures, on which everybody is commentting. You all have inspired me to become more computer savvy!!! Can hardly wait to see you in your “New Kentucky Home”. Thanks again and keep in touch. Fondly, OraJean
Kim Noble
Well they damned well better be taking good care of her! Wish she had been wearing a coat but glad they are being so careful about introducing her to the pasture. BE SAFE AND HAPPY!
Valerie Chase
As always Z and Dottie, thank you so so much for the posts – such a joy to read and keep up with her progress in her new home. Absolutely, she is in the best and most skilled hands she could be in now – wouldn’t think any different, but I’m sure she is missing her California family – I have cows that hunt me down when I haven’t seen them for a couple months. Dottie, Zenyatta mirrors what a wonderful team she has had working and caring for her – it truly is magical. Thanks again so much! Can’t wait for the next! xxoo
Joan
Thank you so much for continuing Z’s diary, Dottie. It helps to know Zenyatta is well and happy in her new home. I love it that she has a window of her own.
Jennifer Hodell
Hey Zenny and Miss D…
Thanks for posting. You were right. I was getting worried when we didn’t hear for a few days. It’s been a big adjustment for everyone. Hope your warm enough Zen and hope to see lots of pictures and to hear from you often. As always..kisses on that beautiful nose from me!!!
Dolores Pshsnychniak
Thank you Dottie for keeping us updated on our beloved Zenyatta! I know I miss her here in CA and cannot imagine how much Team Zenyatta misses her in Barn 55. She is truly a wonderful Spokes “Horse” for the world! I feel so blessed to have experienced the joy she brings to an unbelievable number of people all over the world!
Robin
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Dottie, for sharing Queen Z’s life before, during and after her racing career. One of my biggest concerns has been that Queen Z would quickly drop out of the lime light once she left racing. Team Z has done more for horse racing than any team in many, many years. Please keep ALL horse racing fans, casual and devoted, engaged in this unique phenomenon. Hail to Team Queen Z!!!