Hello Everyone,
It has been a very exciting morning. The final bid on the Breeders’ Cup Experience and a VISIT WITH ME was $11,200. I’d like to THANK and CONGRATULATE J. D. SWEENEY from SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, for this generous bid. These funds will go a long way to support and assist the V FOUNDATION in their efforts on behalf of cancer research.
I can’t wait to meet the Sweeney Party and personally thank them for their wonderful outpouring of support for this worthwhile cause.
It was interesting to listen to all of the updates on “Mike and Mike in the Morning”. Dottie got up quite early CA TIME so she could do so. Then during part of the program…which was hosted by Brian Kenney and Bob Valvano (Jimmy V’s brother)…they replayed a portion of a very famous speech Jimmy gave 7 weeks before his passing. It was March 4, 1993. In this inspirational speech, he introduced his concept to create the V FOUNDATION along with the assistance of ESPN.
Jimmy offered his drive, devotion to this topic, his hope, and his vision. ESPN granted their support to this endeavor via their time, money, and various efforts to enable the V Foundation to get started.
There were several key words and phrases Jimmy used repeatedly in this moving speech which can truly touch so many of us…no matter what is else is going on in our lives:
1) Each day try to LAUGH, THINK, and HAVE SOME EMOTION.
2) Be enthusiastic about things going on in your life…KEEP YOUR DREAMS ALIVE by working hard to try and make your dreams a reality.
3) Don’t give up….DON’T EVER GIVE UP!
These are certainly wonderful thoughts to reflect upon…no matter what you are doing!
I must say, I know one thing for sure. Each of these POINTS holds a very special meaning TO ME…and is also very symbolic to the way I tried to view my life and all aspects of my athletic career.
Point # 1…I really wanted to have FUN each day! I tried to make things unique and entertaining and add my own personality to the tasks at hand. I learned to dance…and did so whenever I could! I enjoyed every moment while at Barn 55 whether I was in my stall, relaxing, training or enjoying some treats while outside grazing and ‘hanging out’ with my pals. Additionally, I truly LOVED EVERY MOMENT I spent visiting with and sharing my daily activities and career with ALL OF YOU!
Point #2…I worked very hard to keep MY DREAMS ALIVE and make them a REALITY. 19 victories in a ROW! I still find this so special and have to literally pinch myself when I think about it. I was the ONE WHO DID THIS! ME, ZENYATTA!
Point # 3…This one is very dear to my heart and it definitely applied to ME during my racing career. No matter what else was going on…I always gave each task MY ALL….and I NEVER, NEVER GAVE UP!
Here’s to wishing each of you a very special day!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Mary
I am sure Mr. Sweeney will be so happy when he sees you…and it will be special for him and for you…and it will help so many people. You are one special horse…yes you have done so many wonderful and awesome things…and none of us fans will ever forget your dancing…I miss seeing that!!! Do you dance at the farm? You are the greatest!!! Hugs to you Z….. congrats to Mr. Sweeney….
Terry Crow
@Anne from Paramount–Anybody who liked that baseball joke is OK with me. @Judy Berube-You, Kathy Kimber and Susan in TN were all there. @Susan in TN-AARP is OK, but I really protest receiving stuff from the Neptune Society. What list must I be on to receive this stuff?
Theresa Buck
Z you are so wise
Eveline
Hi Zenny, thank you for another wonderful post. So many hit right on this week! @ all Zenfans – Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers for Ivin and me. Ivin passed away mondaymorning. I was with him with our dog Sparky. I wished I had thought a little earlier to ask if I could bring Sparky into the hospital. Because he is a therapydog and has all papers it was no problem to bring him into the critical care unit. Ivin still knew he was there. I’ll miss Ivin terribly. We were married 19 years and also worked together all that time. We allways did all the trimming, clipping and pulling mane for the whole barn together, also the travelling to the races in the afternoon and night. Also Ivin was so supportive at the dogshows ,never minded the waiting, listening to the same song a hunderd times when I was practicing and choreographing, got really good at not moving when I was in the ring. I also realized when Ivins sister arrived that not all people think that cat and doghair are fine fashionassecories and make a good condiment to every meal. ( I haven’t mentioned to her yet , that there are going to be dancing dogs at the memorial service, probably should before we get there) This weekend a big day in Delaware, we have 2 in in big races, trimmed them today by myself. I’m sure Ivin will be watching. i’ll put a bet in for him. Thanks for listening.
Kathy Kimber
Congradulations to Mr Sweeny Z you are amazing thank you.
@Terry Crow: Loved the joke I don’t know where you get them but please keep em comming. Hugs
Kathy Kimber
RE:Noor; Esther Marr has just posted a retraction on The Bloodhorse Blog and stating funds are still needed for Noor. Thank you Esther and thank you Michael.
Kimberly Potter
@Eveline~~ Such a beautiful story~I know you will miss Ivin so much, but like you said “he is watching”. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Zenyatta’s #1 fan in Montana!
Kimberly Potter
@Barbara Grimaldi
@Diana S
@ Kathryn Cogswell~ I left you messages on Post #295.
Ollie
RIGHT ON MY QUEEN, NEVER GIVE UP,GIVE IT
YOUR ALL ALWAYS!!!! LOADS OF LOVE TO YOU AND TEAM Z.
darlene
Hi Z I am in Ky and called Lanes end hoping to see you and was told no when can your fans visit? I thought we could when you retired I am a huge fan of you and Rachel I was able to see her why cant the fans visit you ? love ya Z hope to see you one day
Pat Beck
@Sharon Call: I agree. I can’t compete for visits with Z if they cost that much. Maybe a drawing or another contest. I love me some Z–always!
Lucia
Congrats to the winner!
Zenyatta, (aka Dottie) thanks again for posting! These posts are always so uplifting! :) Lots of love to Team Z + 1!:)
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On a side note, @ ALL HARRY POTTER FANS– WE have *2 more days!* Anyone going to the midnight showing? Who’s dressing up in their Harry Potter garb? I am! Gryffindor shirt and Hermione’s wand! :)
Linda
Great Posting!!!
Molly
Dottie, some of us do not have the kind of money it takes to bid on a Zenyatta visit. Could you and Zenyatta cook up another contest, so that some of us could at least have a chance of seeing her…We sure would appreciate this opportunity and the suspense. We need some more excitement now that Zenny isn’t racing anymore. I’m sure that you two can come up with a most wonderful idea.
WILD HORSES
With inspiration lioke you Big Z it’s easy to NEVER give up. You are the light!!!!
Lori
Jeanie
Dearest Z,
Thank you so much for those words. You really gave me something to think about right now that makes a difference. I appreciate you more than you will ever know. You are simply the best!
Your humble J
Ingrid Arnone
@ Judy B, thanks for the link from Blind Luck and havre de Grace, hugs, Ingrid.
Sharon Call
@Catherine. Where do you live in GA? Forgive me if I’ve asked this before. The reason being is I’m hoping to plan a trip to KY with a friend of mine whose Mom and family lives there in Lexington. I mentioned it to her and she was all for it. It’s just the talking stage now but, hopefully, will come to something in the future. I live outside of Atlanta.
suew
Zenny, once again you strike the perfect tone with your diary entry. I agree with others who felt your 20th. race WAS a win…never have I seen such an awesome display of courage and heart. I lived in NC when Jimmy V was coaching NC State. He was quite a guy …people absolutely loved him. You should feel so proud to be involved with helping his foundation…I know you are, they are so lucky to have you involved in the effort. Once again you prove to the world that true star power exists and that goodness always shines through. You are one of a kind. Period.
tony and sue
Zenny, you are “too cute”. f course we knew your name would bring big $ to the Jimmy V Foundation fund raising effort.
Congrats to J.D. Sweeney who was the lucky winner.
Karen
You are an inspiration to all of us, Beloved Zenyatta. Your Spirit has touched so many lives. That is why you are so deeply loved. And, I for one, do love you. You are the best and are forever in my heart.
Sharon Call
@Terry Crow. I agree with you about Ensign’s nemesis. This person frames a post just like notafanofensign. Could be the same person just a different “handle”. BTW, I don’t get a chance to say this often, but I love all of your jokes. How in the world do you remember them all? I never could remember a joke for more than 5 minutes.
DmamaKlock
Z. … you continue to be a positive force in the world and I personally appreciate that VERY much. The V Foundation is truly a worty cause. Thank you for posting.
Barbara Grimaldi
So much to say here…
BARBARA WOOD, thank you for your words about family…I have no living family left, so you have no idea how that touched me
BARBARA COGSWELL, thank you for your words and your invitation to share a brew–I notice you reference literature often, and I love it as I am an addict reader and a former English teacher-make mine a Stella or Heinekin Light!
SHARON CALL–thank you for all your kindness and encouragement
KIMBERLY POTTER, thank you so much for the hugs and seeing that I was really worried about Zenny and her good name
EVELINE–my heart goes out to you at this sad time…I’m pulling for you and for your horses
SUNNY BOYD–yes, I know about cancer in animals. I lost two cats to cancer and spent more than $10,000 to save my last one last year…thanks to surgery and some meds, I had her longer than if I had done nothing…I miss her so much
DIANE S–I would extend my hand back and welcome you as a colleague…we both are looking in the same direction and want the same good things…I could have been more tactful in my response but got too emotional…which I always get over Zenny
LUCIA, I have been a Harry Potter fan since the first book, have been to every midnight introduction of each new book, and hope someday to see the Potter village in Florida…I, too, am dying to see the last Harry
NOW WE CAN ALL GET BACK TO BUSINESS, and that is being united behind Zenny and all her good works. Spreading the word about them in any way we can, and continuing to love and respect her like she is our family. I am so incredibly moved by this magnificent horse and I’ve never seen her in person! That’s how powerful her love and Team Z’s love is.
ONE LAST WORD, PLEASE…are any of you also fans of soccer? It’s my second favorite sport, and I have been enjoying every game of the Women’s World Cup so far, cheering on USA. The reason I brought that up–do you remember the great Michelle Akers, who some people still call the greatest female soccer player of all time? She had to quit soccer because of illness, but guess what she is doing now: she has a horse rescue nonprofit in Florida. Michelle is all heart and it’s so good to find out about her again, especially since she is helping abused horses. That’s what we need–more and more and more groups rising up and fighting animal abusers and rescuing horses and burros.
I’ve spoken too much, but I thank you all again for your good hearts.
Love
Barb G
Barbara Wood
@Sharon Call–Are you in Georgia? My former college roommate is in Moultrie.
@Terry Crow–agree with you about the Neptune Society. We’ve never gotten anything from them.
@Everyone–I posted a link at the end of the last diary post. I would try to retrieve it and re-post, but I have to run do shoulder and knee rehab exercises. It was about a horse who died (that’s the bad part), but also a great example of “NEVER GIVE UP”. It’s by Steve Haskin on the http://www.bloodhorse.com blog, and it fits perfectly with today’s diary entry.
Z–you never gave up in the BC 2010, and we love you always for that. What a race you ran!
Sue
Hi Z, Mr. Sweeney does he need a date? I am free. I would do anything ( well almost) to see Zenny. You are a horse to remember and love. Yes you are TOO CUTE!! so am I if Sweeney is interested…
Sharyn
Such words of wisdom!! Your personality shined through in everything you accomplished.
Congrats to the winner and all the money raised for such a wonderful foundation!
Kimberly Potter
@Sue~ You crack me up! Wish I would of thought of that…lol
Paul
Zenyatta, you have a wonderful philosophy towards life, especially the part about don’t EVER give up. That helped you win 19 of your races and within a head-if even that much-of your 20th race at the 2010 Breeder’s Cup. The Jimmy V Foundation is a really wonderful Foundation with a very positive attitude. Jimmy Valvano himself was a very wonderful man before he passed on. However, he sometimes seemed rather intense as N.C. State Men’s Basketball coach. In a world with so much negativity, being positive and happy is really difficult sometimes. Jimmy Valvano didn’t seem to have much difficulty with that and neither do you, Zenyatta. You see the good in everything which is much more than you can say about a lot of people. Congratulations to J.D. Sweeney of San Diego, California for bidding enough money to win the trip to Lane’s End Farm. He doesn’t know how fortunate he is. I would love to be him and I’m very sure most if not all other posters to this site feel exactly the same way. Zenyatta, this man is one of the luckiest people alive as far as I’m concerned because he is meeting you. It is one of the best earthly experiences EVER. I am happy to hear that your friend Barry is enjoying a speedy recovery. I hope this incident doesn’t cut his life short and I hope there are no other incidents like that.
Judy (Maass) Gadwood aka JAG
News about BIG STUD ~ BIG BROWN ;-)
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64003/big-brown-tops-ftk-freshman-sire-list
“Among stallions with three or more sold at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July select yearling sale, Big Brown topped the freshman list by average and ranked number two among all stallions.”
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Zenny, sometimes I come to your blog just to look at the gorgeous slideshow photos on your home page! :-) I feel closer to you……… XO