Good Morning,
I know at times I’m very casual, having fun, enjoying the moment, and using terms like TOO CUTE and IT’S ME! So much of this is meant to be playful and simply offer all of us another way to enjoy the people and things around us! I try to lighten things up a bit from the regular routines we all experience each day. However, in the Diary, I also acknowledge and respectfully honor the serious things that go on in all
of our lives. On this particular day, I would like to be very serious.
The Racing Community is like one HUGE FAMILY. You can travel around the country and often see many of the same people at the different events and venues. My John, years ago, became very friendly with Larry Jones. When they both shipped into Churchill Downs for various stakes races, they would be stabled together and got to know each other very well. This represents one of the FUN parts that goes along with racing…cultivating the friendships one is able to develop along the way!
Obviously, we are all participating in a sport. The primary objective for everyone is WIN! Thus, you are constantly competing against one another. That is the nature of all sports in general. However, it does not mean that you are not sharing a friendship and a bond with your fellow racing competitors. You are…and the basis for all of this in our sport is the ‘LOVE’ of HORSES. So many people work very hard…and always strive to do their best! I know MY TEAM sincerely wishes others success in all that they do!
On this particular day, there are 2 people MY TEAM and I would love to send our best wishes to for a SPEEDY RECOVERY.
In California, we have a very hands-on trainer named Barry Abrams. Barry came to visit ME when I was at BARN 55…and he is a very dear man. Last Tuesday, he had a very serious surgery. I want to send him a HIGH HOOF and wish him ALL OF THE VERY BEST as he recovers. This is the 2nd time he has had this type of surgery…the last one took place 6 years ago. So, our thoughts are with Barry and his family as he recovers during the upcoming summer months.
Additionally, MY TEAM read that Rosie Napravnik is having surgery this morning on her arm / wrist. Rosie has had a tremendous year winning many races and riding titles. The anticipated time for her recovery is yet unknown. They will have to see how things go, according to the DRF, before they know when she can return to riding. We would like to wish her ALL THE BEST as well!
On a very serious side, I’d like to send all of our friends who may need a HUG a big one. It never ceases to amaze ME how quickly in life things can change…in a moment! To ME, that’s why it is so important to truly enjoy and appreciate the healthy and happy times….as well as being respectful of the challenges that may develop….not only for yourself…but others.
With Love,
Hugs to All~(Rosie and Barry…especially thinking of YOU today!)
Z
Cara
I hope God watches over them Zenyatta
Lois Gillespie
Z and Dottie, thanks for your heartfelt diary entry yesterday. Hoping that Barry A. and Rosie N. are back doing what they love soon; prayers for both and for Naseeb and her connections.
@Charlotte F.- a donation for Noor will go to OF today. Thanks for your passionate fight for this old warrior.
@the Dumplings at HP – hope you all meet up and have a wonderful day!
Maria K.
Get well soon Barry and Rosie. I love you Queen Z. I am sending you a BIG hug and kisses!
Terry Crow
@Kathryn Cogswell-Thank you. @Gary Moulton-I am still laughing. @DJ-That is a good one. I heard a slight variation of it some time ago. There were three people in line at the pearly gates, the last one being the husband. Questioner-What was the name of the ocean liner that sunk in 1912-Titanic? you are in. Questioner to number 2-How many people died, within 5000? 5,000? you’re in. Question to husband-Name them.I will be back later to get the particulars about tomorrow, post the joke of the day and tell an anecdote about Kurt Russell, the star of Dreamer and a really good guy..
Diana S
@All: I do not often call out each of you individually to thank you for a particular post, but I should. Many posts here in the past 24 hours are truely inspirational. Please know that when you post of a troubling time or issue – I’m internalizing that trouble; when you post of sadness – I’m internalizing that sadness; and when you laugh – I’m rolling on the floor with you. I am blessed (so far) with robust health, broad shoulders, a twisted sense of humor, and a fire in my belly for worthy causes. Know that I happily internalize your burdens on the chance it might help to lessen yours. And know that I eagerly soak up the laughter, for it recharges my internal batteries and pushes me forward. Love and HUGS to ALL of you – my FRIENDS.
diana in tempe/bellflower
Susan in TN
@Kathryn Cogswell: What a beautiful myth-did you mean you wrote that?!?
@Diana S: Well-said (above). Have fun in SoCal- I just wouldn’t tell your knees ahead of time about the riding- let them be surprised!
@Terry Crow: Love that version, too!
@Charlotte Farmer: Thank you! Your smiles must have arrived because I am smiling!
Diana S
@All again: I know there is a new post, but I wanted to put this here. As I write this, I am watching the launch of the Shuttle Atlantis. Godspeed. It is a bittersweet moment for me. I hope we – as a nation – are not too long out of the space exploration business. I have been a horsie person all my life, but for almost as long I’ve been an aviation nut, and an aviator, long before becoming a biologist. Thank you for indulging this sidestep, but candles, prayers, and hugs to the crew.
diastu in tempe/bellflower
Susan in TN
Rescue At River Edge: Horses are amazing- we all here know that and I saw some things this week that re-inforced that. Two horses were adopted this week-Dolly and Kiffy. That’s good news but they left broken-hearted companions behind. Kiffy and Roger were ALWAYS together-happy as clams, just the two of them. When Kiffy left, Roger was so upset- he whinnied and paced and sweated. After awhile of this, Bitsy and Maggie(2 miniature horses who didn’t normally hang out with him) came over and just stood with him-for hours.It was clearly a show of support and it did help Roger. He gradually quieted down and went off to graze. Bitsy and Maggie went their own way.
Dolly’s constant companion was Chopper. He is 28 and came to the rescue wit Dolly, who is in her teens. He was very dependent on her for security, I think. He is basically healthy but a little frail and they kept to themselves, away from the other horses. He deferred to her on all things and she was very nurturing with him. Well, when Dolly was put in the trailer, Chopper didn’t know what to do-he called and called for her. He kept it up off and on the rest of the day. He stayed by himself in the corner where he last saw her. When I got there the NEXT day, he was still there, gazing down the drive-calling for her. Five days later, he is sort of hanging on the periphery of one of the herds, but not interacting with anyone. Sometimes he comes down to be fed, sometimes not. He has lost weight. I can hardly stand it. I have not exaggerated any of this. I don’t blame the people who took Dolly (Chopper was offered for free but they declined-that’s fair)-it’s just so painful to watch. Roger will be okay-he is younger and confident. I don’t know about Chopper. I will post something happier on next post. I will let you know how Chopper is doing.
Kathryn Cogswell
Diana S: Starz Channel, showing ‘Apollo 13’ for awhile, came on the heels of ‘The Right Stuff’ elsewhere earlier. Both still thrilling & good reasons to hope we re-grid to boost aloft again. Thank you for the notes. To Susan in TN: Yes, thank you. Have you seen your comment is up on ‘The Vault’? K.
judy berube
Dear Susan in Tn.:
Your post made me cry. I feel so bad for the ones left behind. I guess in time, they learn to adjust and maybe form new bonds. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Diane S.
Loved your posts. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Terry Crow:
Very funny. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Kathryn Cogswell:
Loved your story. Hugs, J.B.
To Shari Voltz:
Glad you’re feeling better. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Valeria Cannon:
You’re welcome. I love her too. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Vicki:
How sad for you and your friend Fort. I remember Invisible Ink. He ran some races in the New York Circuit. He was a handsome Bay. Hugs, J.B.
Barbara Wood
@Susan in TN–praying for Chopper right NOW through tears. Animals are so at our mercy, but they have so much to teach us. Please keep us updated.
Susan in TN
@Judy B and Barbara W: Thank you- I probably shouldn’t have posted that on such a happy site because it makes ME cry, but thank you for caring and praying.
DJ
To Susan TN: Please keep us updated on Choppers progress…a sad outcome so far. He is going to need alot of extra love!
Laura
I heard Rosie was going to ride St. Johns River in the Oaks tmw, well if she does or not, I hope they both recover soon.(:
Paul
Zenyatta, you are very wise to acknowledge that the horse racing community is very close knit, even though it is composed of people who compete against each other, just like in any other sport. I am very sorry for the trainer and the rider who came across some misfortune. Old friends of yours from California no less. I hope they get better very fast.
Patricia Emery
Best wishes to Barry & Rosie!
I have a chronically ill child and indeed, life can change in a “blink of an eye!” It is so easy to go along in our daily lives and not really think about how precious it is…I have learned so much from my son and this experience has humbled me in ways I could never imagine.
So everyone, take time to “smell the roses!” Great post Zen XOXO
jean
Dear Dottie, What an extraordinary person you are! No wonder that
judy berube
Dear Patricia Emery:
God Bless. Hugs, J.B.
jean
Sorry for my message cut off….I’m having computer problems. I think Zenyatta’s family is FABULOUS, no wonder she is so extraordinary! Jean
Roberta Smith
God bless your friends Zenyatta!
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, I am so sorry to hear about Barry & Rosie. I’ll keep them in my prayers & sending positive thoughts their way for a speedy recovery. Zenyatta, it’s good to reflect and remember everyone who has had a part in your life. I love you, Zenyatta. Sending Hugs & Kisses From Alabama Wit Love, Amanda G.
Dottie Combest
STAY HEALTHY SWEET QUEEN Z ~ WE LOVE YOU :)
Dottie Combest
ps . . . what happened to the rest of that photo ??? we want to see your entire beautiful head !!!
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Zenny & Team-Z,
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Barry
and Rosie. I hope they can return really
soon to doing the things they love most.
Have a great weekend and a wonderful GOLD
Cup. Hugs to you all. Fondly, OraJean
Eve Cooper
Well expressed “Queen Z”. A Favorite quote: “When God extends a helping hand, He does it through a Friend.” And it sure can be from a 2 legged or 4 legged to give you the lift in spirit when needed. Thank you so much.