Happy Friday to ALL!
I so hope all of you are well…and our friends who needed some of our ‘special thoughts’ earlier this week are doing better!
Recently, I have spent some time outdoors with Matt contemplating so many different things. On Saturday, BLACK CAVIAR is competing in the G2–Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse. She is going for her 15th victory in a row…with the hope of becoming 15 for 15. Here’s wishing her a safe and successful trip! This is quite an accomplishment to achieve the first 14 victories…so all the best to her!
Then in America, we have some wonderful races taking place over the next few days. New York has their Showcase Day on Saturday. The Breeders’ Cup prep events are concluded and we are now gearing up for the Pre-Entries to be taken on Monday morning. It is getting quite exciting!
The majority of horses preparing to run in the World Championship races will probably have 2 more workouts before their BIG DAY! So much needs to be organized and planned in advance so each horse is RIGHT ON TARGET to do his/her best when competing in these events!
As for my dear pal, ZAZU, she will not be participating in the Ladies’ Classic this year. After she breezed the other morning, she had an inflammation in her right shoulder area. The proper tests were performed. It was discovered very quickly and she will be 100% soon. She simply needs some RNR at this time. Zazu will be out of her regular training routine for about 90 days. During that time, she will be hand-walked a couple times each day and enjoy a well-deserved and relaxing vacation.
We thoroughbred horses are athletes…no different than humans. Sometimes, we are not quite ourselves, for one reason or another. Fortunately, we have wonderful people around us who pick up on this very quickly…and the proper measures are taken to be sure we will be fine.
The technology today is also at such a high level. The veterinarians and vet hospitals have machines that can evaluate the different parts of a horse’s body to see exactly what is going on with specific bones and muscles. The level of sensitivity that these machines can analyze and detail is quite amazing. The constant growth and progress in this aspect of the industry truly amazes ME!
Relax and have a fun weekend! As for ME, I’m resting up for MY PARTY. It takes place exactly 2 weeks from today!
With Love,
Hugs to All,
Z
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Signofthetimes:
He likes to go for the lead. He was tenacious in the Preakness and it was one mile and three sixteenths. I hope he just goes for it and wins. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Deborah Richman:
You’re so welcome. He must be adorable. God Bless. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you lots, Judy and Russ
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Signofthetimes:
Thank you so much for your always informative and knowledgeable posts and links. Wonderful to be a part of Z’s Fan Family and get to know people like you. Hugs, JB
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, Love you much and hope you have a great weekend. You are a one of a kind and my mind is with you daily. Black Cavilar won her 15th race and I congradulate her, she is a beautiful horse. You are the most beautiful of all Queen Zenyatta and you can dance like no other. I always think of you dancing and I love it.Stay safe and happy, love you Zenny girl.
candi carter
good evening my dear queen zenyatta,congratulation to Galila and all her connection.candi carter from ocala florida.
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: Wow a lot of wonderful posts from everyone this weekend. BTW, you look great in brown. I hope you are feeling good. I know you love the cooler weather. Take care Zenny. Love you.
Kendra
@Signofthetimes ~ You are a wealth of information and I appreciate your insights and links.
stephanie (s in san diego)
So sad about Berstein. RIP Handsome boy.
Trina Nagele
@Mary Copelin—I see now that the way I posted the contact info from RT Fitch’s fb page for the Board of Parole and then the long letter gave the impression that I had authored that letter, but actually it was all from the RT Fitch fb page, so I must give him all the credit. I did send my own e-mail to the Board of Parole requesting that parole be denied to Jason Meduna—many thanks to Margaret, who first alerted us, and to you, Mary, as well as Barbara Wood, Debbie G, Carole #42, and whoever else is joining in this effort to see that justice is served for the poor animals that Jason Meduna so cruelly mistreated.
@Signofthetimes—Thank you so much for your informative posts. I always look forward to reading your many valuable contributions to this site!
Trina Nagele
@Josh—
Vicki B.
@Trina Nagele – Loved the Jack Russell playing fetch video! Thanks. And agree with your last post.
@Abigail from Montreal – On Orfevre – Great race winning the J.Triple Crown, he just powered away, altho the #2 horse did well to close the gap a bit at the end!
@The Kennedys in San Diego, @Margaret & @signofthetimes – Enjoyed the links, info and discussion on breeding, thanks.
@Diana S in tempe – sorry about your Auntie Helen, I like the name, my mom had a Great-Aunt Helen who was really nice to her when she was little.
And not for the last time, wish I could go to the BC party, but have to console myself with watching on the tube, awaiting wonderful pics from those who go, and looking forward to next year in California.
rcc/California
Vicki B (10/22) Thank you for sending the link for Conservation Carousel. I had not seen the story; it’s wonderful to know these facts.
Being a native Californian, I will visit it soon. I have ridden the “older” carousel many times as a youngster. That is/was always fun.
signofthetimes
@Sharon Call
Oh yes, Z’s whole conformation including her long back is proportional. Long back makes saddle fit difficult, that is why she had a custom fit exercise saddle. Jethro had a very long back and same issue, custom saddle. Also being long more difficult to make tight turns, however she may also have been very flexible. Zenny is just a powerhouse conformation wise and John Sherriffs really developed that part of her.
signofthetimes
@Josh___
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Vivki B–you and I will bothe be glued to our screens looking for Dumpling tag wearers–lol!
@Josh–that’s not the point. Many of us appreciate those who can glean info. to post here for those of us who don’t have time. In today’s world, people work different shifts, different days, so people have more time some days than others. I just wish I had time to look at all the links. Anyone should feel free to skip over them if desired.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
“both be”-sorry!
Catriana
Josh ~ Some of us have found solace in Zenyatta. Zenyatta, though a thoroughbred, has a gentle nature. That is the spirit of this website. Namaste.
Sally B. (Wi)
@all; just waiting for Z’s next post and all of your great posts and links. I was doing too much yard work and now have a low back problem. Went to chiropractor twice. Hope it gets better before I drive down to Kentucky! It is worse when I sit. Any suggestions?
Marty R / Colorado
@Sally B. (Wi) Some things I have tried for lower back pain: sports cream, thermal patches, a combination heat and vibrating pad that fits in a chair. The strongest non prescription pain med I have found is a migraine formula med. It works for more than headaches. I’ve found it to be more effective than an arthritis formula for arthritis. (I did ask my Dr. for her blessing to take it.) I hope you feel better soon so you can really enjoy Z’s party and the BC races.
DJ
Good morning Sweet “Z” and little “z”,
Just checking in to say Hi! and send “Z hugs!” Thinking of you too JB, with a candle!
Rosemary McCauley - Southern California
@signofthetimes – another challenging aspect of fitting Our Queen for a saddle is that she has very high withers. High withers are a plus for keeping a saddle, English, Western or racing, from slipping to the side, but a minus for ensuring that the horse’s withers are not made sore by the rubbing of the saddle. I always noticed that she had extra padding there when exercising and during the race. Also, maybe you can help me remember this. I seem to remember that horses with a shorter topline than bottomline tended to possess speed. Or it could have been vice versa. Any thoughts?
Kimberly Potter
@Josh~
@signofthetimes~ We love you! You are a never ending source of information with a huge heart, just like our Z.
Zenyatta’s #1 fan in Montana1
Kimberly Potter
@Marshall~ Thank you…they are precious beyond words…
Janis
@signofthetimes ~ Sunday Silence was one of my late husband’s favorite thoroughbreds, so appreciated your link to the 2011 Japanese Triple Crown race. Think I read some where that Japan actually has 2 sets of Triple Crown races.
Sasha
Oh my, Zenyatta, less than 2 weeks till your party. Are you going to wear something new for the gala event? I know you will look stunning, elegant and so cute. Wish I could be there. Have fun!
Alex Bowdoin - MA
@Sally B, frozen peas or corn on your back 15 minutes or so every hour. Also do the “hula” very very slowly once you are feeling a bit better. Sleep with pillows under your knees at all times. Kind of difficult to read or watch TV, but really helps!! I have had lower back problems for the last 30 years on and off. Doing much better now…lifting all of those bales of hay and mucking stalls…would not trade it for the world!!
Rosemary McCauley - Southern California
@Sally B – Try putting a small pillow in the small of your back if you are sitting for long periods. Hope your back is better soon.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Sally B–I see you have a lot of campany. All the above are good suggestions. Keep going to the chiropractor also. My hubby has to rely on prescription meds., but the likes the migraine formula too, as well as SportsCream for when those wear off. I used Blue-Emu on my knees for years. Never know what we’re going to learn here. Hope you are better for party time.
Vicki B.
@Sally B – one more two-cents’ worth: I don’t exactly have lower-back problems, so not sure, but whenever I feel my back is not quite right in “alignment”, I do something a trainer recomended: Lie on my back on the floor (on top of a towel, or yoga mat), with a chair pulled up under my legs, so that my lower legs are on the seat of the chair, and my legs bent 90 degrees at the knees and at the hips. And just lie there for 5 – 10 min., letting my tail & lower back relax & sink into the floor. Usually after 5 min., I can feel it fully relax. Then when I get up, I can feel my posture is different, and I walk more naturally. Good luck!