Hello everyone,
Things continue to be very exciting here for me at the FARM. LOOK AT THIS! I did so well my first couple days in the paddock that I now have been introduced to my first BUDDY. She is in my barn and stabled right across from me. Her name is Pirate Queen. We are really doing very well together. She is gray and I am dark brown/black so it is easy to tell us apart. I am having SO MUCH FUN!
Our schedule is rather nice! In the morning, we walk out to the paddock together. At that point, when we are settled into the paddock, we get ‘turned out’. (This means the shanks are taken off and we are now ‘free’.) Then we get to play, run, jog, and graze! Here we are just relaxing and grazing. I often grazed with a friend on the grass back home in Barn 55…so this is all very normal for me. At home in CA, Harmonious and I would spend hours outside together. Then I’d also graze with Zardana quite a bit. I like having friends and being able to share my time and experiences with them.
I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s Diary. I tried to give you lots of details about my time ‘being free’ in the paddock. Dottie really helped me put my thoughts and feelings into words for you! Each of the moments was so special to me…and seeing my TEAM Z FAMILY again made that day even more precious! WOW!
THE BLOODHORSE video is also amazing. I hope you have been able to watch it. As I mentioned, Anne M. Eberhardt and Alex from the magazine were here filming and taking photos. They did a fabulous job capturing ‘the moment’ and my time outside! I hope you enjoy it! I personally want to THANK THEM for their hard work and dedication to our sport! They really wanted this experience to be very special and memorable…not only for me and my TEAM…but for the FANS! Again, THANK YOU!
I’m off to go play some more with my BUDDY! I wonder if she has a nickname. I have several of them: Z, Queen Z, Zenny, and Lady Z to name a few. I’ll find out and let you know. I am so excited. This is great FUN!
Cheers for a wonderful, wonderful day for each of you!
With love,
Hugs to all~
Z
Sarah Powell
Well said Terri Z! To Patti and Denise – I am in Clemson, SC with 11 horses in Pendleton – really is a small world made smaller with our love for Queen Z!
Carole
Just when I think your life cannot get better, it does. How lovely to have an equine companion!
Linda Deutsch
Queen Z and Pirate Queen – the new “Dancing Queens”. Enjoy your new friend, Z- we love watching you.
Lois Gillespie
I am almost 70 yrs old and have seen many extraordinary racehorses in my time, but Zenyatta, you are breathtaking. Seeing you running free against the snow in this season of hope and joy brought tears. Thank you to all your Z family for allowing us to share in your transition from the track to your new life in KY.
Carole
I noticed a gold medallion on your halter yesterday. I don’t recall seeing that before. Is it a holiday gift? Perhaps from a prospective suitor?
Gloria Jeanne
Dottie-
Thanks for helping Zenny with her words! You do such a greab job expressing Zen’s thoughts and feeling. Thanks for keeping her loving fans updated on Our Queens progress.
I’m glad you are playing and relaxing Zen!
Dani
Just when I thought we had the best Christmas present of all – you running free and wild – we get a terrific stocking stuffer of you and your new best friend, Pirate Queen. We are indeed spoiled this holiday season. I can’t tell you how much I’ve wanted to see the moment when you let loose and flew around the paddock, unfettered and completely joyous in your new found freedom. When you squealed with happiness it just put a lump in my throat but also a huge ear-to-ear grin to go with it. I’ve never seen you more radiant. I’m so glad TEAM Z CALIFORNIA could be there to experience the moment with you – as if they would have missed it for the world. And it was so comforting to see how careful and kindly TEAM Z KENTUCKY handled your first journey on your own. Then seeing you with another mare just really was priceless. You are in a place in your life that will make you even happier than you were before. To both TEAM Zs I am eternally grateful for the love and care they have given you which has brought you to this wonderful place in your life. I am so happy for you Zenyatta. You deserve every joyous moment that life has to offer. And we are all so grateful that we can be a part of these new experiences with you. Thank you to the Moss’ and the Shirreffs and everyone else involved in your care who know how important you are in our lives. You mean many different things to each one of us, but we all have in common one denominator – that we all love you immensely and always will.
Shari Voltz
Lady Zenyatta the video was just AMAZING!! Seeing you run free with the snow against your feet must have felt so good. I am so glad you have a new friend. She is a very lucky girl to have YOU. You are such a beautiful spirit. I thank Dottie for sharing all of this with us. I love you sweet girl. Hugs and kisses from Shari in Ohio.
Trisha
I love the video & photos of Zenyatta playing in the snow!! I hope a DVD will be made available for the fans to purchase and perhaps the proceeds could be donated to a Horse Rescue Charity, like Old Friends. Merry Christmas to Everyone :)
jo
my break at work is now called my Z break. Ah a buddy is great! Watch the back feet when you get playing around. I know you will be quick. If you get turned out with Life is Sweet. You all will remember each other. An old friend got turned out in my horse’s field that had been gone since spring and he showed back up yesterday. They rememebered each other and they have chumed up ever since
Charlotte
Yesterdays video was magic and to see her out with a friend today is wonderful. She is so intelligent and handles everything with such grace and calm. She is like no other horse ever. How classy of the Mosses to bring Mario and Carmen for this wonderful event and thank you Dottie for being Zenyatta’s voice. Happy Holidays to everyone.
MaryAnn Perez
So happy to see that you have a friend to play with.!!!!! HAVE FUN!!!!!
love you Z
Henrietta Wolfe
I think Zentastic fits you. What do you think? As I said yesterday I loved your vedio. You are a Movin Star. (*_*) I am happy that you have a gal friend. You two will have good times together. I wonder if she knows how lucky she is to have you as a friend. Of course, I am sure she is a nice lady also. What fun for both of you. We have snow where I live. I can’t wait for spring to get here as I will be coming to see you, 1,762 miles. (*_*) Trust me, I can hardly wait. You will be all use to your new home by then. I think it was great for the folks from Ca. to come and visit you. I just can’t imagine how they stand it not seeing you every day.They have to miss you whole lot.Are they staying for Christmas? You have a great day and be in touch soon. I Love You!!!
Nicole S
It is so wonderful to see Z just getting to be a horse and doing horsey things like grazing in a pasture with a friend. I must say I will miss terribly seeing her run. She is so magnificent and such an amazing athlete. I know it is for the best, but part of me is truly sad she is retired. I can’t wait to see what her babies will do :-)
I love reading all of the replies from people all over. It’s amazing to see how one horse touched to many people in so many ways. Thank you for keeping us updated on her.
Sending you much love Lady Z!
Teresa Drennen
Love the pic of you and your buddy. Awesome is the only word I can think of to express how happy I am to see you doing so well. Because of you I have rekindled my love of horses. Love you, girl!
Terry
SHE MAKES ME SOOOO HAPPY!!!!
Gerrie P.
Queen Z, your video should win an Academy Award!
Your team’s care is tremendously inspiring. My Christmas wish is a day when all horses can bask in a caring environment such as you experience. Your family serves as a model for all humans to emulate.
Cathleen
Oh Zenyatta I’m so happy you have some one to be with in the paddock. It’s so fun when the girls are able to get together! How ironic our Queen Z is in the paddock with another Queen — Pirate Queen. Hugs and peppermint kisses, Cathleen
Jess
Wonderful!! Simply Wonderful, Zenny. I am so glad you have a buddy now. Stay safe and have a merry Christmas and happy new year!!!
James
I’m curious, how many fans are planning to visit Zenyatta next year ?? I know my wife & I are planning to visit Lexington, just to visit The Queen! I bet Blame only gets some “old mares” to come see him !! LOL
After Secretariat passed away in 1989, I thought I would NEVER admire or witness another Thoroughbred Horse like Secretariat, again. Then Zenyatta came along and rekindled the flame. God Bless Team Zenyatta, in California and Kentucky :)
debbie gustafson
Hey Zen, So awesome you have a bf, she seems nice ,hope she knows how lucky she is to have you as her bf,,But not saying she isnt a great horse to, you are just famous,, wow being the Queen you know ,,,well have fun playing in the snow,and running and enjoying your bf,,,,,lots of love, hugs and kisses…till tonight when i say nite nite,,,luv u Z.
Maria
Yay, Queen Z! You have a buddy! I hope your friend knows she’s grazing with royalty and that you two have lots of fun and good times together. I’m new to zenyatta.com and am loving it. Thanks to all of Team Zenny for letting us have an inside look at one of the greatest horses of all time. Merry Christmas, Big Z!
Nancy Love
Zen………….you are such a social butterfly. xxoo gal pal, Nancy
Elaine
It’s so nice to have friend! You are a wonderful mare and I know you will have LOTS of friends at Lane’s End. Even though you won’t be racing, it is looking like 2011 is going to be a wonderful year for you full of new experiences!
Linda B
Morning Your Majesty,
Your first lady in waiting how grand..and she is also a BHFF (BEST HORSE FRIEND FOREVER). You have been given the things that royalty should have. Thanks to all the humans who love a cherish you. Looking at the video one can see the joy in you spirit. You are a special gift Zenyatta. Thank you for gracing us with your presence.
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Queen-Z & Team Zentucky, This is wonderful news, that Queen-Z has a BUDDY to share her paddock-time with now. Hope you all are well and happy. Fondly, OraJean
Carol
He..y Z, Loved your new post! You tell Dottie that she is doing a bang up job helping you with your diary. I know sometime it is hard to put your feelings into words, but this girl is good…. Please be careful out there in the snow, it can be slippery (I know coz I wipeout alot) Be Happy!!!!
maryann lane
Love that you have made a new friend. wish ALL retired race horses that this too look forward to. Unfortunately for every Zenyatta there are hundred who give their hearts and soul to please their owners and only end up in a can of dog food. Queen Z you are truly fortunate to have such kind and loving people in your life. Merry Christmas
Nancy Bickford
Hi Z-Girl! I’m so glad you have paired up with a buddy in your paddock! It’s great to have friends! I loved the video on Blood-Horse and have circulated it to every horse lover in my “circle of friends.” I sat and smiled at every minute of the video while drying a tear or two from my eyes. I’m glad to see you happy and safe. It was so wonderful to have your human family with your on your first turn-out day!! I’ll bet you were thrilled! They all looked so happy for you! You are in my thoughts, Z-Girl, and as soon as Lane’s End determines it is OK to visit you, I’ll be there with bells on!
Richard
James, like you, my wife and I plan to visit Kentucky next year. We made our first trip there in November to see the Breeders’ Cup and visit horse farms. Obviously, visiting Zenyatta is our #1 priority.