NEWS ALERT! HEAVY WINDS HIT THE ARCADIA AREA LAST NIGHT! MY JOHN WILL TRY AND GET SOME PHOTOS FOR YOU SOON!
Hello Everyone,
So, so sorry to be posting you this late in the day. MY JOHN and DOTTIE (Sophie too) live in Arcadia, California…right by Santa Anita. Last night, that area had a HUGE wind storm. The winds were the hardest and traveling the fastest any of them can remember. The power is completely out in ALL of Arcadia, the phone / internet lines are not working, and trees are down everywhere. Schools are closed, businesses are also closed…and people are traveling about very carefully due to all of the trees and power lines that are down and blocking the roads.
On Huntington Drive, right by the racetrack, there are cars covered with fallen trees. None of the street signals anywhere in town are working. As for Dottie and MY JOHN, 2 large trees from their neighbors yard fell…and are now in their yard. Thus, the fence is destroyed in 2 places as well. Patio furniture moved around the yard and 2 chairs went into the pool from one of the decks. It is truly amazing to see how these winds could literally MOVE this heavy furniture and force all of these trees to fall.
Dottie went over to Santa Anita late this morning and some of the huge trees by the one escalator are completely down. Smaller trees in the plant are also on the ground. It seems like the backside held up fairly well. At this time, 2:15 CA TIME in the afternoon, all reports on the horses are great. They came through it all like CHAMPS! So, there is much to be very, very thankful for!
From all reports, there is to be more of these high winds later today and tomorrow morning. By noon Friday, the intensity in them is to be rather small….much more like a normal breeze that would happen now and then.
Let’s hope our weather reports are accurate and everyone continues to be SAFE throughout this windstorm.
We will keep you posted. Here’s hoping the power, telephone, and internet services are restored as soon as possible to the ARCADIA AREA.
MY, MY…something ‘FUN” is always happening.
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Barbara Wood—I’m sure that good news about AUTUMN will be one of your best birthday presents!
Allie in Texas
Thank goodness you finally heard from Marlene Dodge. I just got this feeling that something was wrong. Glad all is OK now. The mare pregnant with Little Cloud was saved. Thank you, Marlene.
Eveline / Maryland.
@ All Cigar stalkers – good reading. http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2011/12/03/cigar-stories.aspx
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Abigail in Montreal—I smiled when I saw you added “Doodlebug” to your sweet little rescued Daisy’s name. As I believe I posted earlier, I call my recently rescued miniature bulldog Daisy, and just this morning (before reading your post) I mentally added “Love Bug!” Seems we’re on a similar wave length! I will hurry to your website as soon as I can. I SO ADMIRE your writing and your sentiments.
@Debi Hamari—THANK YOU for your pro (horse) life comment!
@Karen Gogue—THANK YOU for your links. And yes, the question is WHY?!
@Tiffany—Continued prayers for your sister Krystal.
@Sally B—-Continued prayers for your niece Jenny and the healthy birth of her baby.
Max
@Sign You might be interested in some good news for Eric Lamaze courtesy of an outstanding performance from his mare Coriana van Klapcheut in the Paris Grand Prix. See what he says about her. It looks like she is jumping better than ever. Go Cori!
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/12/021.shtml
signofthetimes
@Barbara Grimaldi
You are awesome, creating the website and mobilizing
everyone. You are right very important issues. Pleas keep
up all the exceptional work you are doing.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Barbara Grimaldi—THANK YOU for forwarding Jeanie’s good news about Marlene Dodge’s success. I’m sorry to hear Marlene’s trailer broke down. I hope it can soon be fixed—-she needs it!
signofthetimes
@Max
Thanks for info on Eric LaMaze and his mare.
Have not seen anything about her before. You really
Find some great links. The olympics are going to be exciting.
Sapphire is out injured, not sure about Shutterfly.
Heidi (Vallejo.Calif)
Hoof Hoof Hooray for Marlene!!! I hope you have pics that you’ll share of the rescues.
Eveline, I was going to alert everyone on Steve Haskins story of Cigar, you beat me to it! I read it with tears in my eyes. Steve sure does know how to bring a story to life, doesn’t he?!
I have seen the coverage of S.Ca on the news and I had to complain about our own winds! Nothing like what they have been receiving and I feel a lil silly about it. I’m just amazed that noone horse or human were hurt! Especially at Santa Anita: what a mess!!!
Now, Zenny I have to tell you something. When ever I wear my “Z” hat (which is all the time now), it always prompts interesting conversations. Yesterday, I went out to meet up with some friends and of course, a conversation was brought up. This time however, it was on a very sad note! They were asking me about the new legalization of horse slaughter in the States. After awhile of discussing it, I told them to come here, get the link and sign the petition and to call congress and the white house as it was suggested on that link. Another friend sent me a different article that I posted on fb. My friends are joining me in this fight The situation just makes me sick!
Dumplings, if we all do the right thing, we can have a voice for these innocent animals!
Zenny, stay safe and warm and give Tasty a hug for me!! Many hugs and kisses for you and baby z!
ps, the other Heidi on here, please put where you’re from as to not get confused with me. Thanks :)
Heidi (Vallejo.Calif)
BTW.. Friends that weren’t hear for my b-day requested that I wear my entire Zenyatta attire (jersey, zippy, hat) tonight to a b-day party. They want to take some pics of me modeling them! LOL
I’m sure the pics will be posted on fb!
Heidi (Vallejo.Calif)
Here not hear!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Ingrid A– thank you! I’m spreading this birthday out. That’s the best way to do it.
@Especially Horses–thank you! and AMEN!
It has turned out to be a wonderful weekend, despite the curves we’ve all been thrown. Team Z and the horses in CA are safe, Marlene is ok and got the horses to safety, our Equi-Army has helped a fellow Texan place quite a few, AND (drumroll, with apologies to Texas fans, truly) Baylor 48, Texas 24. Our beloved RG3 has done all he can. It’s in the hands of the Heisman voters now.
Every time I think that a year ago we were all strangers, it just blows me away! Z-fans are the best.
Anyone heard news about Krystal or Jenny?
Love to all.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Trina N–YES, you are right. The good news about Autumn is SO welcome to me. What a contrast there is these days between such cruewlty and such kindness.
And folks, Trina is right. If you don’t get Horse and Man every day, you are missing such a TREAT.
@JAG–I get so tickled at your “stalking” Cigar. He KNOWS he’s all that and more! Remember when Mine that Bird had a stall cam? I checked it off and on all day.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
“cruelty”–sorry! Aaugh!!
Max
@Sign. I like Cori because she is a mare. I like to see fillies and mares do well in racing and jumping, perhaps this is influenced by the Queen. Here is the latest on Shutterfly, a beautiful and talented horse. There is a very nice photo in this link.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/competitionnews/390/308725.html
Max
@JAG. Since you mentioned Cigar, I now check in on him too. If he is not in his paddock, I keep checking back to see where he is.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
If you’ll indulge me in just one more round of thanksgiving: DynaKing is better! His last bloodwork came back in an encouraging way, and I believe they are investigating stem cell therapy. Oh, that we could find a cure for the dreaded laminitis!
LauraJ in Cincinnati OH
@Barbara Wood in TX, no, I don’t own Runflatout. I wish! The horse I used to own a part of is named Better Step Aside. He’s by Eddington out of the French Deputy mare Latour. He’s a fairly small horse and looks like his mom. Even though he hasn’t won yet, he tries real hard. His last race he was in third most of the way, but managed to get up for the place after being bumped.
–
@Trina Nagele, I have him in my stable also, along with his former stablemates. He’s been soooo close several times. He seems to get on the also-eligible list a lot, and ends up being scratched. Charles Town only has enough room for 10 horses at a time on the track.
–
@JAG, you need this:
http://www.thoroughlybred.com/item.cgi?show_item=0000006881
signofthetimes
@Max
I also like mares to do well, but like them all. I usually think of them in the riding sense and wish I could be on them when they are running a race or jumping a grand prix. That feeling of riding fast and jumping (feels like flying) is something very special only a horse can give a human. I understand what you are saying, though. Zenny is a very special mare.
Barbara Grimaldi/NJ
SIGNOFTHETIMES: Thank you for your kind words. I’m doing the job I signed on for at Equi-Army and I’m proud of our team.
signofthetimes
@Max
Thanks for the great link on Shutterfly. Guess we won’t see him in the Olympics in 2012. It is very risky to have an 18 year old as a Grand Prix jumper no matter how good they are. There is one male. I forget his name but he was still doing the Grand Prix circuit at 20yo. I am glad she retired him sound and happy. The thing with Zenyatta is she is very speical because she is not marish and so very easy to get along with, curious and loves people. Don’t find many mares with these qualities. But she is one very special horse and can’t wait to see her babies.
signofthetimes
@Eveline
Thanks for posting the Steve Haskin link on this Cigar article.
Love it, so very special.
signofthetimes
@Karen G
Thanks for the link to the photos of Santa Anita.
What a real tragedy.
Shari VoltzOhio
Hi Zenyatta I hope you and Tasty had a really good day today. It was cold this morning but beautiful later. You know you are a real runner when you run in 24 degree temps. I hate the cold :(
I would like to give a High Hoof to Madame Mistletoe. She came in third in her recent race. Zenyatta you would like her and could give her pointers. My class was cheering and we are all proud of her. Well my sweet Queen it is almost 9:00 and I am beat. I will run again tomorrow morning so I like to get to bed early. I love you so much. I am sending many Hugs and Kisses, Shari XXXOOO
@ To my Z family. Dawn’s Birthday is Dec. 7th. It is coming up!!!! HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY!!!! DAWN CONRAD. I love you Sweet Lady :)
sharon in seattle
what a wonderful collection of stories about Cigar by Steve Haskins. I can’t wait to meet Cigar – and I can imagine the scene at Madison Square Garden – that in itself is worth a movie! Such positive news about Marlene!
I’m not giving up on the KHP webcam!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Laura J–I had thought maybe you were “Zookeeper” on BH blogs. Thanks for the info. on Better Step Aside. We have “met” Eddington at Claiborne. He is stunning! Huge and lovely. I think they said 17 hands, so I can only imagine how it feels to stand next to our Queen. Best of luck and prayers for your boy’s safety.
Sunny Boyd
@Signofthetimes
what is marish? Thanks
Sally B. (Wi)
@LauraJ in Cincinnati,Barbara, Trina, Abigail, Kari and others: The power of a prayer does work. I found out briefly that Jenny gave birth to a 9 pound 7 ounce baby boy, 20 ” long!!- Without complications, so both mommy & baby are doing well. Holy cow, she finally had the baby some time after 3P.M. Sat. afternoon. Your kindness is amazing. Thank you!
Sally B. (Wi)
@LauraJ in Cincinnati: Eddington is at Claiborne Farm isn’t he? I swear he is in the same stall that Secretariat was once in, as I believe his name was on the top in shining brass.
signofthetimes
@Sunny Boyd
Marish best example is It’s Tricky. They bite, kick, ears back at
Other horses, very particular how they are petted,
Saddled. I leased a mare that when I cantered her around
The ring she would lunge out and try to bite the rumps of
Other horses that were standing, always pinning her ears
About something, horse too close, girth too tight. I was riding
Along side of a friend and she whirled around and tried to
Kick the other mare with both back feet. When you ride them
More time is spent staying out of trouble than enjoying the ride.
It is usually hormonal and some give their mates Rugamate, to
Even out their moods. Very controversial though as is a hormone.