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
Alene
Hi beautiful Zenny. I wrote to you last night. Today I focused in on the picture of you running in the snow. I must tell you tears are running down my cheeks. You look so free but still inquisitve. I`m happy for you Zenny. May the world be yours!!. Love you and team Z. Lots of HUGS and BIG KISSES, ALENE
Bling
You are such a sensible girl! Us girls know when to take it easy for our own safety. Glad Team Z got to witness your “freedom”. They truly love you and you showed your love for them, nice that you went to Mario first since he’s taken care of you for so long. I think I’d better start showing more appreciation for my mom and her friends, instead of pinning my ears at everyone! Maybe in a roundabout way you’ll teach me to be a nicer horse.
Lisa Smith
Zenyatta–I just watched the video of your big day in your paddock! Fabulous! I am so happy for you and Team Z! Seeing you and Mario together again was a thrill! The affection you have for each other is obvious! This is a big week for me as well w/a birthday and Christmas. Seeing you so happy is frosting on the cake. Thanks for sharing this grand moment! I have 4 mares of my own and you feel like my surrogate 5th girl! :-)
Barbara Wood
Robbie P. Kahn–thank you for the beautiful post.
Thank you, Dottie, for keeping us so well-informed, and as I told John in my Christmas card, “You honor us all by making us honorary members of Team Z.”
Thanking God daily for all of you.
BTW, a picture of you,Zenny, and Little Silver Charm would be GREAT! He’s small, but he’s all heart. I think you would get along famously.
Allen
What a wonderful day you had, running free and being with all your family. MERRY CHRISTMAS QUEEN Z, you are NUMBER ONE.
Dawn Deems
This was so wonderfully written. Thank you for continuing to share Zenyatta with the world!!
Fast & Smart
Good morning Z
My Micki, my human told me about your fun yesterday. It so good for us horses to get a chance to romp and run in our pastures/paddocks. On crisp clear mornings before breakfast we old geldings go out and buck & rear and act like us still got it! Our humans watch & it lets them know we are happy. Glad you are settling in well. Enjoy the day & we’ll chat later.
As Always
Fast & Smart
Cristina and Brad
I ask each and everyone of you to please go to the bloodhorse web site and look for the article tracking Barbaro’s Brothers, In the spirit of Christmas.
It is about a son of DYNAFORMER, NAMED DYNA KING WHO THEY HAVE NAMED GIFTED WHO RACED FOR MANY YEARS AND WAS THEN LET OUT IN THE ARIZONA DESERT TO DIE, A GREAT ORGANIZATION CALLED HEART OF TUCSON PICKED HIM UP JUST BEFORE HE WAS TO BE EUTHANIZED AND HAS HIM TRYING TO SAVE HIS LIFE. PLEASE I BEG ALL OF YOU AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO PLEASE GO TO THERE SITE AND DONATE WHAT YOU CAN TO HELP THEM SAVE HIS LIFE AND LIFES OF OTHERS JUST LIKE HIM. MY WIFE AND I JUST SENT A CHECK FOR $300, COULD WE HAVE USED IT FOR US , YES, BUT GIFTED NEEDS IT MUCH MORE. GO TO THERE WEB SITE , HEARTOFTUCSON.ORG, AND READ WHAT THEY ARE ABOUT, I TALKED TO SOMEONE YESTERDAY, WONDERFUL WOMAN WHO WAS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH HER SON BUT STILL HAD THE TIME TO TELL ME ABOUT GIFTED.
PLEASE GIVE WHAT YOU CAN- DO IT FOR ZENYATTA, DO IT FOR BARBARA,
PLEASE DO IT FOR GIFTED AND ALL THOSE JUST LIKE HIM.
THANK YOU FOR READING THIS.
Cheryl Smith
Zenyatta, so happy to see you running free. It brought tears to my eyes as I was reading this. I am so glad that you are happy! God created one of his most special creations when he sent you to this earth. May you always be happy and blessed with all you deserve. LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!
laura
this is EXACTLY what you should be doing. so happy to see you having fun. my horses are loving the snow too.
i was lucky enough to hang out with you and mario the morning before the breeders cup race. i am a photographer who happened to have her camera and took an awesome shot of you and him during your cool down. i would love to give him a copy of it. it’s really quite a neat photograph. if there is any way possible to make that happen, i would love to get one to him and you too! love you zenyatta!! merry christmas to everyone there at lane’s end. laura chism
Foxlily
What a gorgeous girl! Live long and be well.
Tamyatta
Hi love of my life, I was trying to wait until I stopped crying to write this but as someone at my office said the other day, “that ain’t gonna happen”! I can’t help it Z, I love you so much it can’t be measured. I’m so thankful you have the Mosses, Shirreffs, and Espinozas and that they could come be with you on your special day. Simply amazing and heartwarming beyond words. I’m so happy for you in your new life that I can’t figure out why I cry every time I read your diary and watch your vids!! Must simply be cause I love you more and more and more every day. Thanks Team Zenyatta and Lane’s End for our early Christmas present, it’s a great one!! I have your weather report emailed to me every day Zenny and it says snow and lows of 17 – 20. Brrrr. You keep warm my beauty and I look forward to whatever is next…you came along way today! All my love to you!!
Meghan Coleman
Joy to the world! The mare runs free. Let earth renew the Queen!
Ann and Jerry, you are the best owners a horse and her admirers could ever imagine. While Zenyatta belongs to you, you understand that we belong to her. Over the years, and still today, you have not only surrounded her with the most exquisite care you can bestow: you have treated us all with the same extraordinary generosity.
God rest ye, Ann and Jerry Moss,
let nothing you dismay:
Remember no Eclipse Award
can your true love repay.
Your merry mare is grace’s power
blessed on this world each day.
Oh, ride on her spirit and her joy —
spirit and joy —
Oh, ride on her spirit and her joy.
Debbi M
It sounds so silly, but I swear, every time I come here and read the diary pages, I get tears in my eyes. I watch the video–tears. And I read all the comments, and more tears. LOL
Lois Brooks
So glad to see that Z is happy in her new surroundings and adjusting so nicely. By any way does she get her bottle of Guiness every day. Curious minds want to know.
Cindy Totten
You are truly one of God’s miracles! I feel so blessed to have been able to have experienced your greatness in my lifetime!
Linda Weiss
The video was great “Z”. Loved watching you run again. How truly lovely you are pretty girl. Enjoy all your new experiences. Much love to you today & everyday. xoxoxo
Louise Bland
Merry Christmas, Zenyatta!
Beautiful girl, #1 girl in the world! The people around you are for sure lucky. Lucky to be with the best in the world! The race horse who’s number one! The racehorse who can all most talk. And can with actions. What a thrill just to see you for real, just to be up close to you. Now that to me, Zenyatta is a lucky person.
To see you run and play does thrill me—I’m wanting you to have fun, but I’m still afraid of the bad in the world and want to protect you, myself. I’m sure if you belonged to me, I’d be sleeping in your barn. That’s LOVE for you “Z.”
Hugs and here’s a big kiss right on your nose. xox
Zen-Fan
To Christina & Brad…what you posted truly makes me sad….I will go to the website you recommended to research this more. This is the type of situation that is a reality for some of these racehorses, even those from strong blood lines…I think when we read about things of this nature, it reminds us why we are human & must help when we can!
Patti and Don
“IF YOU LOVE THEM, SET THEM FREE
IF THEY RETURN, IT WAS MEANT TO BE”.
THE MOSS TEAM SET YOU FREE AND YOU RETURNED TO VISIT WITH THEM…I’D SAY THE WARMTH AND LOVE YOU FEEL FOR THE Z TEAM MEMBERS IS RETURNED A MILLION FOLD.
YES, YOU ARE ONE LUCKY GIRL BUT WE ARE EVEN MORE FORTUNATE TO HAVE EXPERIENCED YOU. HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS. SANTA WILL BE VERY GOOD TO YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE ONE AWESOME LADY!
Sue M.
It’s wonderful to see you so happy Z!! Love the way your tail is perked up like a flag and seeing you buck and cavort around your paddock. It’s wonderful your family could be there, too :) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Z!!! Stay warm and safe!
Trisha Veazey
Great, sounds like so much fun. Would love to have see it .Maybe you will get to throw a snowball or two. And Z , yes you are lucky to have caring Team Z and your new friends at Lane’s End, but we fans who love you so much are the very, very lucky ones.
Jeanine Coogle
Great to see you are so happy Z and that your entire family was there to share it with you. It still takes me by surprise how these updates bring tears to my eyes for a horse I have never met in person, just followed on the racetrack. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Jeanne
Still Crying. Happy Tears this time. All I want for Christmas is to know who the lucky guy is going to be. Its been fun pouring over the stallion register and doing hypo matings at true Nicks, but I REALLY want it from the horses mouth. Will we know anytime soon?
Shanna
I love all the new photos of you running in the snow :) I saw the new video too and it was so great to see you having such a fun time! Love ya Z! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you and Team Z as well :)
Pam Zacek,
thank you again, for a wonderful,look at this beautiful, Heartful horse, she is all heart, and soul, I loved watching this, like I said in a earlier Post what a Chritmas present,and thank all the people involved with her welfare, she is one cool, Horse, and so much Heart,I know, one thing, she will be a wonderful Mommy, and she will show, her off spring, her wonderful heart, and how to love people, and wow, at one point I thought she was really going to jump the fence and keep going, but she stopped, and just love the way, the email was written, can just see her doing all that, for sure, especially watching the squirel,s Love you Queen Z, stay exactly the way you are, GOD BLESS YOU , keep safe, thank you again for great Video, and newsletter, or our wonderful friend, You go girl.
Gloria K.
Oh, Z, I am crying giant crocodile tears of joy reading this blog and knowing you are happy, safe and have wonderful people looking aftet you. Lots of love, you big beautiful girl!
Marguerite
Glad you are finally allowed to have the fun of just being a “horse!!!” We love you Lady Z…
Penny
Thank you for sharing the day with us through your posting. Can’t wait to buy Barbara’s pictures. Be safe; stay warm.
XOXOXO
Vicki
What a sweet sensible girl you are!!! Dottie you are awesome for doing these blogs!!I feel like its actually her talking…I criedreading this today – She really does feel the love and caring for her and now the joy of stress free living!! We should all be so lucky!!XOXO