Good Morning Dear Friends,
I have spent so much time this week not only enjoying myself and romping about in the paddock with my pal, TASTY, but also thinking! So many different things are always happening at the farm, in our sport, with MY TEAM, and YOU…that there is a great deal to reflect upon each day. It sure keeps ME busy…and involved. I feel so fortunate and hope in some way I am helping to make my sport more ‘fun’ for you!
During the time that Jaime was doing my life-size painting, THE QUEEN’S DANCE, (which I’ve just heard the limited edition print is completely sold out…wow, thank you. I hope you truly enjoy it)…she would come out to Lane’s End and take numerous photos of ME! Jaime spent a significant amount of time with ME. She really wanted to observe the many intricate details of each muscle of my body. She also wanted to get to know ME… ZENYATTA! I’ve been told I have a wonderful personality…a very sweet face… and a kind heart! From what I’ve heard, she observed all of these qualities in ME.
One beautiful autumn day, she took the above photo! I do have a very pensive and thoughtful side to my personality. I think she captured it here.
As a professional athlete, I was able to totally focus and concentrate on the tasks at hand each day in my training program. MY JOHN always felt this was one of the keys to my racing success…the ability to work with MY TEAM towards achieving the goals we ALL shared.
At the farm, I am still able to do this…especially when something catches my attention. Here, I am concentrating on Jaime and all of the different images she wanted to capture of ME!
As you may notice, in this photo, I’m wearing one of my ‘foal tags’. It is the small, round tag attached to my halter with my name on it. In March, when my baby is born, he or she will also wear a foal tag exactly like this one bearing MY NAME on it. This is the manner in which all mares and their foals are properly identified at a farm.
I guess you could say this is the one form of JEWELRY I wear each day!
Many of you have asked for some additional photos of ME and other items. In my new SHOP, these things…the foal tag collections…and some select photos are becoming available. This photo may be found now here. We wanted it to be special for YOU.
Congratulations to Jaime! She is not only a fabulous artist….she is one terrific photographer as well.
Have a wonderful day!
With love,
Hugs to All~(I must say, it is great to see Kari Bussell feeling well enough to post a Diary entry earlier this week. This is such fabulous news! Via your Diary comments, so many of you sent her ‘prayers and well-wishes’. I’m sure your thoughtfulness helped her ‘feel so much better’! THANK YOU! You are ALL so special!)
Z
maryann
My day is not complete until I read your post each day. You are such a beautiful and big hearted girl. Thank you and Dottie for educating us on horse things. I miss my horses so much. I had a thoroughbred mare Desiree, and she was a rescue. She was too slow for the track but she was as we liked to say “bullet proof” on trails. Nothing fazed her. She was beautiful and kind as well. Keep well Zenny. Smoochies.
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Dear Zenyatta. Oh my, Jamie not only is an amazing artist but a fabulous photographer too. She has captured you beautifully!! Thank you Jamie! You are such an intelligent, intuitive, individual, Zenny. You pay such close attention to not only what is around you, but who. You actually look directly at people with genuine kindness. So many photos show this. Eyes bright, ears playing, reaching out with your nose, too cute!! I love your foal tag and what an very special little baby will have that clipped to their halter! Thanks to everyone involved with your Zenyatta shop for providing more great goodies to choose from. I am so glad I ordered my limited edition print the moment it appeared. I should be receiving it by tomorrow. Can’t wait! Thank you and Dottie for being so sweet and mentioning our Kari’s return. When you add strength and heart, with equal parts friendship and faith stirred together with love and warmed with well wishes,lite candles and prayer you can bake up some amazing miracles. Sweet dreams, Zenny. Love you always and forever. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Cynthia – You won’t be alone in Chapter 11, sweetie! Love you!
@the Kennedys – I really do hope that they give Blind Luck the recognition she so richly deserves. She was loved and admired by her loyal legion of fans. Everyone deserves a fitting goodbye.
@JAG – Beautiful link to one amazing mother.
@Abigail – My lovely friend, thank you so much for posting the link to Zenyatta’s time at Oaklawn. Brought a tear to the eye.
@Amy K – I love that Celia Fawkes is a guardian angel watching over those horses who though no longer in her care, are not forgotten.
@Kari – You are so. . . sweet. It is easy to touch hearts when they are as beautiful and open to the joys of life as yours is. This is truly a remarkable place with amazing people reaching out to each other though most of us have never met. Angels truly live amoung us and take on many shapes, including a horse named Zenyatta. I believe!
Doreen in CT
Oops, I forgot the “s” in Giants Causeway’s name. Perhaps he’ll be Zenny’s next date when and if they decide to breed her again:)
Trish & Mike in Colorado
Beautiful ! Despite your imposing stature, you are quite a feminine horse and this picture shows your finely chiseled face.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Love the picture of you Zenyatta. It is one of the most lovely pics I have seen of your close up, I an feel you even though it is just a picture! Can alsmost see your soul.
Sending my Love & Blessings to you as well as hugs and kisses
Doreen in CT
It really must have been a long day as well as a long week for me – it’s Giant’s Causeway – but I’m sure all of you know who I’m talking about. Duh!!!!!
Deborah Lawson
Zen all I can say about the photo is BEAUTIFUL! Brilliant Jamie!:))
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
Now there is a Muse without horseshoes :)
What a beautiful picture of you again, capturing your gorgeous big shnootie :) haha
Have a good night, dear girl, and dream sweet
signofthetimes
@Delrene
Read the Dynaformer article this morning. He really is a very
Unique sire and has sired many champions. I agree
He is way too big to be bred to Zenny. So funny that he was such a challenge to train and does not have a very good record, but
Talented sure. Sure hope he give La Ville Rouge a filly.
He really is her equine husband. Wonder if she is a broodmare
Most bred to the same sire.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny
So love the photo on this post. Jamie did an excellent
Job capturing your pensive side. She is such a talented
Artist. Thanks to Jamie for sharing her talent with us and
Thanks to Dottie, John and the Mosses for sharing all if this
With us. Your store is great. Really love those foal tag bracelets.
Little Z will never get lost. Have a quiet restful evening.
XXXXOOO
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny
Forgot to comment on your little overhanging lip
Just like YOUR BERNIE. Too Cute XXXOOO
signofthetimes
Dear Kari,
I am going to be in TN the week of Dec 5th.
Maybe we could touchbase somehow if you are
Feeling well and have recovered. Thoughts and prayers
Are always with you. XXXXOOO
Irene Caty
Hi Zenyatta, I love this photo of you and I call it Zenyatta Thinking. I always wonder what you think! There are so many great pictures of you and I just love them all.You are a Icon and every picture of you makes me feel closer to you. I feel so good about you right now awaiting your foal for the first time. You have some very happy times ahead of you deareast Zenyatta. Sending my love, be happy.
Deborah Richman, So. Cal.
Each day seems to bring more beautiful photographs of you, our gorgeous Queen. I am always so touched by the kindness in your eyes that comes through even in photos. How lovely it must be to come under your sweet gaze!
Jaime Corum, wow! Beautiful work!
@Kari…I am so happy to see you back posting!!! Every time I read one of your posts or watch one of your wonderful videos I am reminded of all the JOY that can be found every moment. Thank you! Keeping you in my prayers and sending love and light your way.
@Everyone… Hello to all!
signofthetimes
Found these links to Bernardini’s blood lines; one called
“As little Bernardini for Zenyatta”
http://wingspan.wordpress.com/tag/bernardini-bloodlines/
Barbara
Sheer beauty and perfection….:)
signofthetimes
“A little Bernardini for Zenyatta”
Discussing the large heart X factor in Bernie’s bloodline
http://wingspan.wordpress.com/2011/01/27/a-little-bernardini-for-zenyatta/
signofthetimes
The is a potential True Nick for Zenny/Bernie foal, which would be and cross AP Indy and his sons/Machiavellian and his sons and grandsons;
Interesting the list of horses with this cross includes RUFFIAN;
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/truenicks/Enhanced/Z-Bernardini.pdf
signofthetimes
@Doreen
Thanks for the update on Giant Oak. I think he is a developing talent. Hope he heals quickly.
signofthetimes
@The Kennedys
Please keep us posted about any retirement ceremony for Blind Luck, she is such a talent. So glad Dr. Mark bought her and is going to retire her and let her be a horse and have some talented babies.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
Sweet dreams to you and baby Z/B. So glad he/she is moving around and so exciting Dottie was able to feel the movement.
You look so happy in such a wonderful place being a horse who can do what ever you want or most anything you want and when ever you want. You so deserve this wonderful retirement.
XXXXOOOOO
stephanie (s in san diego)
Beautiful Picture..another must have:)
My poster and shirt have not arrived yet..but maybe tomorrow. I hope so…after that, I will be waiting for your picture.
Kari…I can not tell you how happy to see you are posting. You are always in my prayers. Keep getting better.
Thanks everyone for all the interesting links…and I hope they do allow us to celebrate and say bye to Blind Luck. I would drive up. Have always loved Dynaformer, but just don’t see him with Zenny…but that’s why Z has the people she has to arrange these things. I don’t think two horses could be more different in the way they approach life and work. Zenny always seems to love those around her and is kind and focused…From what I have read…and sort of remember from years and years ago…Dynaformer let it be known that…”his way or no way”:)
Zenny and Dottie..as always…you girls are just such a blessing to all of us.
Sweet dreams everyone…xoxo
Elizabeth in Oregon
Beautiful photo of you, Queen Z! What a talent you are, Jaime Corum. We received our exquisite “Queen’s Dance” limited edition print today. It is even more beautiful than we imagined! Zenyatta seems to glow in this print, and I can’t wait to hang it with the rest of our Zenyatta “collection.” @D Stuart: You are so right to suggest archival matting/framing. Our special girl deserves it. :-)
candi carter
Zenny is such a lovely and adoring horse athlette in the world,and her connection are such caring loving to her what a lucky girl.love ya!.
Elizabeth
Dear Zenyatta –
You just get more and more beautiful each day. Thanks to Jamie and all of the other photographers who capture your image so touchingly so that we can all enjoy the many various facets of YOU.
Lots of love,
Elizabeth
paula
so photgenic; I sure the queens dance will show off your adorable 2 step!!
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
Re: Dynaformer – and his day with the mare – I do remember one of the stallions that was at Three Chimneys screaming and hollering and Dynaformer bellowing back at him during his walkover after his bath. We were able ( if we wanted to) to watch all proceedings from his walkover to her being brought over past the teaser stallion to Dynaformer. Lots of handlers, vests, helmets. and I do remember he was a very tall horse and I asked one of the people how tall was the mare and she was over 16 hands. She looked positively petite when he was next to her. I have to say, I was concerned but they all did their part calmly and professionally. Quite the learning experience and I did not realize until I did much more reading up on him what an impressive sire he is and his fee at the time was $150,000. At the time I only knew he was Barbaro’s sire. Although he was booked to many mare’s, I always wonder if the mare was La Ville Rouge. I know they told us, but I have since forgoten. – Sorry to write too long. I have to watch that turkey video, I’m just too tired right now. Sweet dreams to all.
Allie from Texas
Dear Zenyatta, I am so grateful for you and your website. Happy Thanksgiving. Cut and paste this beautiful segment on Gratitude to your browser. (Ann or Dottie may have to help you:)
http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxSF-Louie-Schwartzberg-Grati
Joan in Texas
such a beautiful pic of you Z.The sun glistening on your shiny coat, beautiful.
Love ya Z
Kari Bussell
My Queen and still reigning 2010 Horse of the Year,
What JOY! As Always, I agree with YOU , yes that is a very lovely photo of YOU.I have always loved all your numerous expressions, but your thoughtful, focused look has always been one of my favorites. YOU take my breath away. I am beyond humbled and filled with almost more JOY than I can hold that you would take the time to give me such a warm welcome back .Since I first feast my eyes upon you, Everything about YOU & your entire team has given me nothing but Pure JOY and filled my heart with love. Zenyatta, we are family because of YOU and everyone’s thoughtfulness did make me feel MUCH better.The people who love YOU are very special, beautiful people…Please thank Dottie for EVERTHING she has done for All of us…I will love all of you until the 12th…..Heart.
Kari