SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!
Good Morning All!
What a day I had yesterday…all filled with GREAT surprises! I now know all of my friends here at Lane’s End had a wonderful surprise planned for me…and they filled TEAM ZENYATTA in on it!
For days, as you know, I have been walking around in my new paddock. The Farm wanted me to be totally familiar with every inch of the area. This is all part of my ‘baby steps’ process. Each day, I was given a bit more space to investigate and explore with Charles, Donna and the crew here! They ultimately had me on a very loose hold during these adventures. I was also given ample time to look at all of my beautiful surroundings and thoroughly relax and enjoy my time outdoors.
After several days of this, the FARM felt I was totally comfortable with my new paddock. A plan was then developed to establish the day when I could be ‘on my own’ outside. It was organized for this to take place YESTERDAY. TEAM ZENYATTA WAS PART OF THE PLAN…and they flew into Lexington TO SHARE THIS MOMENT WITH ME!
As I was being prepared for my morning ‘walk’, David and Mike picked up Team Z at the airport. SURPRISE! Within minutes, they were all right here with me at my Lane’s End Barn! SUCH FUN! (Carrots and mints for EVERYBODY!) Yippee!
Barbara Livingston, from DRF, and Anne M. Eberhardt and Alex, from THE BLOODHORSE, were also on hand. Sweetly, ANN MOSS was going to take some of her own videos…….and MY DEAR JOHN brought his new camera to add to the fun!
When I was ready, we all walked out to my paddock together. It was crisp…but not as cold as the last time they were here. For quite a bit of time, I walked around with Charles. We wanted to show everyone how well I handled this. We walked all over this large paddock…and I checked out everything….just like I have been doing for days now. Ann, Jerry, John, Dottie, Mario and Carmen…all thought I was doing very well. I was really feeling very confident in this space and with the footing.
Then, suddenly, (and to my surprise…and delight) Charles took the shank off me. I was allowed to be ‘ON MY OWN’. Lane’s End positioned many people from their staff all over the perimeters of the paddock area as they wanted to be sure I was very logical and safe at this moment.
GUESS WHAT???? I WAS! At first, I just played around with some alfalfa they had carefully positioned in 2 places in the center area of the paddock. I moved from one patch of this to another…walking and grazing. Then I thought…Hmmmm…this is different! I don’t really have anyone right next to me. Suddenly I looked up and saw so many of my friends all standing several feet away. At that moment, I noticed Mario. I walked over to him and stood there. He hugged me and scratched my neck like he has done for YEARS! It was so special! I walked over to the Moss’. Ann and Jerry both hugged me and gave me some great treats from home.
Then I looked at my dear JOHN…and walked over to him. He gave me several loving pats and then looked down and ‘checked my legs’. (Old habits just don’t go away. This is a TRAINER kinda’ thing. John has checked my legs every single morning for over 4 1/2 years. It was like great old times!) For several minutes more, I was able to walk around and greet all of my other friends. THIS WAS REALLY GOING WELL!
Now…I thought…HMMM! Let’s see what happens when I walk farther out to the other part of the paddock. So I did. I walked around looking at everything. I was careful..and enjoyed this. I WAS ALL BY MYSELF! I stood at one edge of the paddock just staring over the fence. 2 squirrels were playing in the tree…and I just loved watching them. I walked over to see the geese playing in the pond. I then went to greet all of my Lane’s End friends standing in each part of the paddock…..making sure they knew I was safe.
This went on for many more minutes. I just walked, looked, stood…and enjoyed every single moment.
Then, the thought occurred to me…CAN I JOG OFF and RUN? No lead pony, no Steve, no Mike Smith…no equipment…JUST ME! I put up my tail and planted my feet in the snow. It felt good. I jogged a bit and felt the brisk air on my skin. I stretched my legs and stepped right out! Hmmm, I thought! This is fun…and it is really going well. I went over to the other edge of the paddock. Donna was there to meet me. WOW!!!! Am I really doing this? I’m all by myself!
I pranced to the side of the paddock where all of my other friends were standing. I danced for them…and even walked right over to Dottie and gave her a BIG KISS!
I walked back around and greeted every single person as I made my way to the far side of the paddock! SUDDENLY (my confidence now was really strong)…….. I TOOK OFF!
I stretched, I bucked, I played…and then I RAN. What a lucky girl! As I rushed across the paddock, I squealed with delight. It was my way of THANKING EVERYONE for my wonderful, wonderful life.
What a LUCKY, LUCKY GIRL I AM!
After running free for several more minutes, Charles put the shank back on me. As you know, they have to monitor my time like this to be sure I am safe and don’t get too excited at first. The crew then took turns walking me around the paddock some more. Mario took his turn…and it was ALL FABULOUS!
I HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME!
After all of this exercise, it was time to go back to my barn and have something to eat. My friends and TEAM Z followed me and stayed and visited with me for hours.
What A MOMENT, what A DAY…and what SPECIAL MEMORIES!
I hope to share more photos of this day with you soon. Thank you to Barbara for the one we are using today. This day was all very, very special to me…and I know in my heart it was also very special for all of TEAM Z. They traveled thousands of miles to share this one new stage of my life with me! They all told me…they would not have missed today for anything!
What more could a GIRL want or have…than so many people who love her SO MUCH!
With love,
HUGS to ALL~
Z
Paula McCaleb
Many thanks to the Z team for sharing this video. It was very touching, and wonderful to see the joy & happiness between you and your CA family. It brought tears to my eyes to see the love between all of you, and especially when you took off in the snow with your tail up, that was AWESOME!
Dr. D.
Queen Z’s surprise, joy, and celebration reminded me of the Christmas I got my first bicycle. Exquisite exhuberance, and I am so proud of Team Z for flying out there. Zenyatta bucked and voiced her thanks for her freedom to run and for a Christmas to remember with family and friends. What a joyous celebration and I bet they continued the party with a toast of Guinness to old and cherished friends and the joy of frolicking unharnessed in the snow. Thank you Dottie, Zenyatta and Team Z. A White Christmas with exactly what we all asked for under the tree.
Linda Henderson
Merry Christmas, Zenyatta. You look fabulous and happy. And Merry Christmas to your entire team. Special, wonderful, extraordinary, fantastic–words don’t do you, the Mosses, the Shirreffs, Mario, Carmen, and Mike justice. You are all that and more.
Kbuckeye
What a gift, to see the video, pictures, and your account, dear Zenyatta of running free in your paddock! The complete joy you felt was clear…….and you make my heart sing. How wonderful that your family was there. We are so grateful to your connections for how well they take care of you, and how gracious they are to the fans. A Merry Christmas to you, the Mosses, Mario, Carmen, John, Dottie, and the wonderful people at Lane’s End!
Megan
Simply wonderful news Zenyatta.I seen the video and was in awe.Now I know you have a great life and that your family is always there for you.So thankful to Lane’s End,Bloodhorse,FB and Team Z for sharing this special moment with all of us.Love to you Big Girl.
Char
So much fun to read – thanks for all the posts. Those pictures sure would make nice Christmas cards!
Lisa Ewing
Z:
Not sure why your story has captured my heart so much…..but it has! I love reading your posts and I love Team Z because I can tell they love you so much…which touches me! I hope to meet you some day and I wish you all the best during the next phase of your life. Merry Christmas Zenyatta!
Jenn
If anyone ever tells me again, that Racehorses aren’t loved, and are only a business….I’m going to show them this video!!! Just one look at Ann’s face and you can see the unconditional love she has for HER horse! And look at Mario!!! He is SMILING, lol. What a great day, and many thanks for sharing it with us all
Nancy
I still have my Beyer horse figure of you up by my fireplace. We still miss you here in Cali. Looks like you are doing well and so glad you get to see your wonderful Cali family. Miss Miss you. Love u
Mary
I can imagine a much more joyful plane ride home to California for Team Z! Everyone retelling their favorite moments with their girl. I hope they take the time to do this again sometime in the spring.
Robin
Oh Z!!! You always amaze me!! I watched the video of you playing in the paddock and you look SO happy!! So awesome that all your family could be there with you to witness that!! Look forward to seeing more!! Love u pretty girl, stay safe and warm. MUAH!! XOXO
S
Beautiful!! After a busy day of rushing around and working, driving in this San Diego down pour… I sat down to watch you and 3 mins into it I realized I was smiling and felt peaceful for the first time today! Your joy was the bright spot today!
Pam
I watched the video of you running and playing in your paddock. I cried…I was so happy for you. You must not have done that since you were a yearling. How special to see you having a chance to be a horse. I can’t wait to see more videos and pictures of you. You make my heart ZING!
Margy
It is great to read what is happening with Zenyatta as she adapts to her new location. It’s also fantastic that Team Zenyatta is still so involved with her every move. Yes, I know she’s worth millions, but I think Team Z’s love shows through in every post. It would be great to have a web cam in Zenyatta’s stall.
I hope you continue to post in her diary for her many fans. I look forward to reading her diary every day.
She looked free and magnificent in her paddock photo. What a horse!
Alene
Zenny, I`m so happy and pride of you. You had a wonderfuland adventurous time. Most importantly Team Z was there to see you. Everyone loves you soooo much. You are very special Zen. You are also extremely smart. Look how fast you caught on to what was safe and secure for you. Zenny, your whole family was ther to see their girl go and be free to do what she wants. I am very proud of you. But I wouldn`t except anything different from you. You are exceptional!!! Love You Zenny…Lots of hugs and kisses, Always! Alene
Marci
So great to see you playing. This is what it is all about. Team Z being there spoke volumes about your relationship with them and of course your new “family” at Lanes End. Enjoy just being a horse. You deserve it.
Vicki B.
Zenny, you look great! Just think — gonna be even better when they won’t have to worry about you getting too excited. Then you can hang out to your heart’s content.
Leslie
Zenny, I’m so happy that your family came from Cali for your special day. I saw the video and it made me teary eyed. Reading this post did the same. You looked so very happy!! I hope you get much more free time in the future.
You were beautiful to watch run on a race track, but seeing you free at Lane’s End, I’m just speecless. As Trevor Deman would say, you are “poetry in motion”.
Thanks to Team Z and everyone at Lane’s End for sharing this with us.
Love you Zenny,
Leslie
Mary
This and the video on Bloodhorse.com made my day!! To see you run free for the first time since you were a baby brought tears to my eyes…happy tears. We are all so fortunate. You have brought joy into the life of a person that has had very little to be joyful about and if there is ever a way for this poor soul to go see you, I will. You are simply the best. Merry Christmas to you and all of those that love and care for you.
Melinda
OMG!!!!!!!! this is amazing!! I loved the way you described this beautiful moment! We are so fortunate to be experiencing this wonderful mare’s life through the eye of the camera and the carefully constructed articles and posts written. The video of this moment is truly amazing – to actually hear her excitement and pure joy is overwhelming! This is Zenyatta the “horse” on parade for the world….a thoroughbred that is just beginning a whole new life. Thank you so much for sharing her with us. God Bless you all!!
MaryAnn Perez
Queen Z, I loved watching you run, buck, whinny, just being a horse!!!! It brought so much joy to my heart, just to see you be FREE!!!!!! I was heart broken when Blame barely beat you. But watching you enjoy life now brings tears of happiness, giggles and smiles. Love you Z
Thank you for sharing the video, hope to see more
Bob Rose
Wow…between seeing Zenyatta running in that snow, and seeing that her California family went to share that occasion with her, I cried my eyes out with JOY! I never in my lifetime (72) have seen a greater horse. To see her connections be as classy as her, has me on top of the world! Theresa, I cried even harder when you told of your 11 year old Autistic son loving her as well. My lifetime hobby has been volunteering at therapeutic stables that assist handicapped children and I pray that you might be able to locate one within driving distance to take your son to. I have seen first hand many, many times the joy it brings them, and the doors it opens for them…doors they didn’t even know existed! I had to stop working with those kids due to illness, but meeting Zenyatta and John and the Z Team has me feeling so wonderful I just told my daughter this morning that after the Holidays I’m going to get back out there and help those wonderful children again, after several years of not being able to. There is no limit as to where something like that might take your son. Him already recognizing that he loves Zenyatta is a very encouraging sign :) Zenyatta has made this world so much better and I pray that something good comes of ur sons love of her…Merry Christmas to your family as well as the entire Z Team!
P.S. Theresa, if I can be of any help to you and your son, please mention it in one of the upcoming Zenyatta diary pages, and I’ll let you know how to contact me. Give ur son a hug from Zenyatta (she’s a personal friend of mine and I know that’s what she would want)
Carlotta Cooper
Love you, Zenyatta. You look so happy. Seeing your video brought tears to my eyes. So glad everything is going so well. Hugs
Helen
Robbie, after your post there is not much left to write. Well done sir.
Thank you so much Dottie for keeping the diary going as I look forward as many do to reading it.
Team Z, well you are a wonderful group of people and especially for caring enough to make Mario and his wife a part of this still. Many people often shun the groom and hot walker however, these people are the ones who do the most care giving and therefore very important people!
It was wonderful to see you in the video so happy and beautiful! The smiles on the human faces were beautiful ones too.
A special thanks goes out to Lanes End for allowing all of this and I sure hope they continue and allow visitors at some point.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ZENYATTA AND ALL OF TEAM Z! You have all done a wonderful job for the promotion of our sport!
Helen
Oh, by the way there is an admirer just down the road from you named Little Silver Charm. He’s wanting to charm your socks off! He’s little in stature but big in heart!
Kim Noble
Glorious is the only word I can think of to describe seeing you reunited with your family-especially Mario- and seeing you run free. Continue with the “baby steps” and remember that you are much loved!
Flora
Zenny, you are SO beautiful running in the snow, bless you girl!
Becky
Team Zenyatta, what can I say? You are the most gracious, amazing people I could ever
aspire to be…sharing your precious Zenyatta with the world! The Bloodhorse video brought tears of joy to myself AND
my husband!!! We were so excited to see you explore your new surroundings, and we squeeled with delight, along with you (I loved your little neighs), as you made your way around the paddock! Your family is so special, to care for you as much as they do – that they came all the way from California just to see your first new adventure at Lane’s End! We love you Queen Z / and Team Zenyatta, you guys just ROCK!!!
Manuela Hudson
I have never had such a huge lump in my throat, I have to hold back the tears because my daughter and her friends are right here in the same room watching a movie! I’m so happy to share this world with you, Zenyatta and the wonderful friends that care so much about you. I can see in my mind’s eye every step you took on that snowy paddock! Go run free, my friend, go run with the wind!
Kathleen Marsh
How wonderful for you. We have been waiting for that day that we would hear that you were getting some real freedom. And how wonderful that all of your immediate family was there to be with you.