Good Morning Everyone!
I hope you had a wonderful and restful weekend. Mine was terrific!
Dottie and I have been reading over your thoughtful comments in the DIARY responses! Thank you so much for the kind words, not just to ME…but to each other.
I totally agree with all of your comments about MY NEW HOME! LANE’S END is an absolutely beautiful farm with huge paddocks and lush surroundings. I am SO HAPPY here! Everyone is incredibly thoughtful of ME. I truly can’t thank them enough for the warmth and kindness shown to ME each day! Needless to say, TASTY and I are 2 very HAPPY HORSES!
I also love the fact that you are enjoying my new ZENYATTA SHOP! There are many more fun things to come in the future. I hope you enjoy them.
Many of you have asked about TASTY and I and if she is ‘protective of ME’. The answer is ABSOLUTELY YES. She is truly a very special and dear friend. She always wants to be sure that I am safe.
From what I can tell from the time I’ve lived at Lane’s End, we seem to have many more visitors to our paddock than the others. We have various writers and photographers here quite a bit, the charity visitors and their families come to see ME, TV crews are here, and then my own dear family frequently comes to Kentucky to see ME and catch up with how I am doing.
TASTY and I do hang out together ALL of the time. When MY JOHN entered the paddock on this particular afternoon, she came right over. She wanted to ‘check him out’. When I take a nap in the field, she normally stands right by ME to be sure I’m A-OK. In turn, I try to do the exact same thing for her. We just want to be sure that each of US has the opportunity to rest, relax, and enjoy our lives the best WE CAN! WE REALLY TRY TO BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER!
Here she is checking out MY JOHN. When he was hugging ME, she wanted to be sure all was terrific. I told her everything was perfect! During MY time at BARN 55, he’d hug ME like this every single day for 5 years. I explained to TASTY that MY JOHN is truly one of US….a dear, dear friend! He then hugged HER too….and she knew this was so true!
Happy Monday! I’m sharing a BIG HUG with all of you, too!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Denise in AZ
@DMCQ- so glad to have you back, and happy you are finally home to recover and heal.. hugs, D
Deborah Richman, So. Cal.
What great photos today and on the last post as well! You and Tasty are such a beautiful pair of friends. How wonderful it is that you watch over each other!
@Susan in TN…your Choctaw is so special. Thank you for all you share with us about him. And it is wonderful to hear that Chester and Chopper have such a happy life!
@Dawn Conrad… Just ordered the Citation book you recommended :)
Thanks for your excellent “review”!
@Ann Maree…loved your slideshow of Z’s BC Party! Thanks!
@DMCQ…You have been through some very serious things this fall. Sending you lots of hugs and prayers and positive energy! So glad you are posting again.
@Judy and Russ…thinking of you, sending prayers your way.
@Kari… love and light to you
tony
Zenny, if I may, just a note for your John…if you ever need an extra pair of hands when you visit Z, just call me.
Deborah Richman, So. Cal.
Z, I forgot to mention that I love your new Shop and am looking forward to seeing what new merchandise you will be offering.
I ordered the print of the Jamie Corum masterpiece of YOU!
The Kennedys in San Diego
Beautiful photos of John with HIS ZENYATTA! What a uniquely special relationship between the two of them and how fortunate we were to observe it up close and personal on so many occasions. We will always be grateful for that. How moving that John hugged her as in the photo every day while she was in Barn 55.
***** ****** ****** ****** ****** *****
Thank you for providing some details of the protective behaviors exhibited by Tasty (and Zenyatta in turn). I do recall an earlier photo was posted of Tasty standing over Zenyatta as she slept. They will soon be standing over their sleeping foals. Always fascinating and endearing to observe animals’ behavior to one another. One can never learn enough in this area of study.
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
@DMCQ – You were very missed! I am so sorry to hear of the problems you have been experiencing. I understand your action, when a furry friend is in danger our extinct can be to shoot first or enter the fray and ask questions later. What a blessing that you discovered your heart condition before something catastrophic happened. It was so wonderful that Zenyatta was there for you as she has been for many others, including myself. I will be praying for the continued improvment in your health. I’ll be sure to lite a candle of thanks for you today. Welcome back!
@Ann Maree – I am home today from work so have been checking in periodically. Thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures from Zenny’s party. It is great for all of us who where unable to attend to see pictures and video from such a special day!! I have been to the museum many times and I could picture exactly where everything was, too fun!
The Kennedys in San Diego
Brava, Zenyatta, on you new entrepreneurial endeavors. We can now add that to your resume.
Mary
I wrote a note earlier and just came back to look at these two great pictures from John….I have the one with John, you, and Tasty as my background…told you I change it often but it is always of you. I love this one. You can see once again what a tall girl you are. I love the way you are looking at John taking the video…it is like you are saying…now be sure you get a really good one of me…is this my best side. Too cute!!!
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
@Deborah Richman – Thank you, I hope you enjoy it. I do love the history of horse racing!
@The Kennedys – What special memories you must have of the time you were able to spend with John and his Zenyatta. I was only at Barn 55 for a couple of hours and Zenny was already gone, but it is an experience I will always cherise and hope to repeat. I found John to be a kind, humorous and totally remarkable man. He is a master horseman.
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
@ AnnMaree – Thanks for sharing your photos. and I agree with all. Some of your best photos today Queen Z. Your best 4 legged friend and your beloved John. Can’t get too much better. You have so many friends who love and adore you but I’m glad TT watches over you too.
You are positively getting rounder. I love your look. It is so becoming on you.
Dottie – words cannot express the joy seeing a post such as this on a gloomy Monday morning. Thank you for doing this for us. We appreciate it so much.
JAG Adores Zenny & John Henry / So. CA
@ The Kennedys
Perhaps us Southern Cal Z Dumplings will pay another visit to Barn 55 before the HP meet is over (wink wink)
Judy G
janet Cutting
Hi Zenny- You look outstanding!!! You are definitely showing your baby bump. But, I think you are just so impressive looking. Oh, I cant forget Tasty–she is model material for Glamour magazine. I hope the both of you still have time together after the little ones come.
PastTheGrandstand
Oh, Zenyatta, you look great! I enjoyed your party so much. Meeting your connections and seeing you on the live feed brought tears to my eyes. It’s a memory I’ll cherish forever. Love you, girl!
christine from Va
WHAT A TREASURE YOU ARE DER ZEN.
When I am down I think of what it would feel like to hold your soft nose in my hand. John is so very blessed to be able to do that.
Love to you and Tasty what good friends you are.
signofthetimes
@DMCQ
So glad to have you back.
Deborah Richman, So. Cal.
@JAG…count this So Cal Z Dumpling IN if there is a Dumpling visit to Barn 55 during the HP meet :)
Jennifer Adelman
Happy for you Zen that you have a good friend and your visitors make sure to give her some attention too. You both are so beautiful and can’t wait to see both foals very soon gorgeous new mommies.
Linda in NJ
@ AnnMaree – Thanks for sharing your photos!!!!
tony and sue
@Ann Maree, many thanks for your pictures of Zenny’s party. How we wish we could have been there enjoying the friendship and feeling that special Z love. This is undoubtably the kindest site on the internet. Thanks, Dottie!
Robin - Ventura CA
THAT PICTURE BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. Both you a T look stunning!!!! I LOVE YOU Z and B/Z and T too!!!!!!!!
Carole #42 Wisconsin
Zenyatta, Great pictures of you, John and TT. John sure loves his BIG girl, and TT too.
@Ann Maree, enjoyed the pictures from Zs party.
@Susand in TN, Choctaw sure sounds like a great horse and friend.
Zenny kisses on your soft nose and take care of baby Z/B. XOXO
Karen
And a BIG hug to you and Tasty, beautiful Z. I love you.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Zenny, those shots are beautiful! Thank you, Dottie and John!
@Ann Maree—Thanks so much for the slideshow!
@Karen Gogue
Though the poem’s not done,
Here’s Part One—
But let it not be a surprise
If I feel the need to revise!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Poem for Sgt. Reckless
(PART ONE)
In the Korean War,
Sergeant Reckless
Was a Marine
Like none ever seen
Before.
She was a chestnut mare
Who had been a racehorse
On the Seoul racecourse
In the loving care
Of her young Kim.
She was dear to him,
But his sister,
Wounded in the war,
A leg had lost,
And he desired to buy her
An artificial limb.
Thus when Lt. Petersen came as a buyer,
For the monetary cost
Of $250,
The mare left behind the racing fans’ hollers,
With no warning
Of what was in store.
And Kim Huk Moon
Sadly said good-bye
To the mare he given the name
“Ah-Chim-Hai”
Or “Flame-in-the-Morning.”
Life for that bright Flame—
Red from poll to stifle—
Would never be the same.
Soon
She was to gain fame
As “Reckless,”
From the nickname
Of the recoilless rifle
Used by Petersen’s anti-tank platoon.
This weapon was no trifle:
Carried by three or four men,
Its projectile
Could reach
Targets at more than a mile
With precision.
The rounds
Weighed each
Twenty-four pounds,
So then
It was of course
A wise decision
To get a horse
To carry shells
To each new firing position
On the treacherous hills.
This task Reckless soon could do well,
But first upon being bought
She had to be taught
New skills
To help her survive.
In weeks of hoof camp she learned
Numerous tactics in turn
In hopes she’d stay alive.
The instruction was ample—
For example,
At the cry of “incoming fire,”
If in the field, down to hunker,
Or, if in camp, to rush to a bunker;
And how to step over a wire.
The men tried to fulfill
Her every desire
And give her the best care.
Not liking to be alone,
Soon she did freely roam
Through the camp
To share
This or that tent.
Never too far did she rove.
And in the cold or the damp,
Her nights were spent
Near the warmth of the stove.
TO BE CONTINUED…
.
Annie
No offense or anything of course dear Z, but HOLY CRAP YOU ARE GIGANTIC!!! Man, you don’t really notice how tall you are until you are standing next to another racehorse :)
Linda from Vermont
You girls look great!! I love seeing pictures of you all.
sharon in seattle
JAG – thanks so much for the link to HDG Meet and Greet – she’s gorgeous!
Zenny -you TOWER over Tasty. Is that n optical illusion? I know you’re a tall one, but. . .
Ann Maree – thanks for sharing your pictures. They are great!
Karen Gogue
Bravo Trina!!
Carol
Wish I could hug you too, dear Zenyatta. You and Tasty are adorable friends.
Candace Jones
I love, love, LOVE these pictures! The one with John and Tasty shows again how big our girl is. Thanks for the pictures Dottie and for keeping all of us adoring fans in the loop with our girl…and her friends :)
Pam Zacek,
Thnks for the hug Zenny i hug you right back and tasty too, you look happy also hand your John is still so special,I admire that you had a great trainer, and found your right protential for the races and the safiest ones also I hope you are doing good, and make sure all is well with baby bumps, with Tasty and you,