Good Morning,
I absolutely LOVE this photo Anne M. Eberhardt took the other day. Here I am with my dear friends, Mario and Carmen. I wanted to mention, just in case you did not know, Mario and Carmen are MARRIED. It is so special to share all of this with them. WE WILL BE FRIENDS FOREVER! I have spent a great deal of time with these 2 lovely people. I think I’m now OFFICIALLY PART OF THEIR FAMILY! I’ve heard that photos of ME are all over their home and in their family albums…right next to those of their children and relatives!
Carmen had never been in the snow before Monday. It is so cute. When I was looking out my window, I saw them taking pictures of each other in the snow. I loved watching them!
Mario has told John countless times that THE LAST 3 YEARS HAVE BEEN THE BEST YEARS OF HIS LIFE! He simply can’t believe it! His pictures have been in magazines, newspapers and on TV with ME! Carmen feels the same way.
John was teasing Mario while they were here…’Did you ever think, Mario, that you would go into the paddock or on the track and people would be calling out your name?’ The crowd was literally chanting…MARIO, MARIO, MARIO the last time I paraded at Hollywood Park. It was GREAT to see how much people appreciated him….and all of his work with ME! While John was saying this to him, all Mario could do was smile…so proudly!
As this is the season for being thankful and reflective on one’s life…I want to say….I AM ONE VERY GRATEFUL HORSE to have been BLESSED TO HAVE ALL OF THESE SPECIAL PEOPLE WITH ME EACH MOMENT…TO HELP ME BE THE BEST I COULD BE!
I TRULY COULD NEVER HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT MY LOVING TEAM ZENYATTA!
It is so comforting to me to be able to say this…and let my friends at Barn 55…and now at Lane’s End…know how much THEY ARE APPRECIATED. Often, in life, people do not really say these things and let their FAMILY, FRIENDS (and in my case…MY FANS) know exactly HOW SPECIAL they are to you. I wanted to be sure to do so!
Things are not always easy and every single day is not always perfect…but I have truly been blessed to be in an environment where THE LOVE OF THE HORSE ALWAYS COMES FIRST!
IN THIS SEASON OF GIVING…WHAT A GIFT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN!
Have a wonderful day!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Margie Pabigian
Merry Christmas, precious Z, and your heavenly Team. I love you, sweet girl, and always will…
Lynette Lucas
Zenyatta – I do agree that this photo is great because I can see the love in your eyes for both Mario and Carmen!!!
Wishing you and the Team Zenyatta a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Keep the posts coming girl!!!
linda
I have often said that Mario must be the most photographed man in America. This photo was priceless as was the video of Zenyatta with all of her friends. each of them beaming with pride at the amazing Thoroughbred that took them all for the ride of their lives.
Darlene Johnson
Merry Christmas Zenyatta…..I love Mario and Carmen because they have been so good to you. When I visited Barn 55 in Dec, Mario was so sweet. He hung your Christmas stocking and posed for a picture with me. You should know that your old stall is still full of photos and mementos in memory to you. You are truly our Horse of the Year. Hopefully, the East Coasters will fall in love with you as much as we have on the West Coast. Love to Dottie and John.
Rita Boucher
Merry Christmas Zenyatta and Team Z!!! Thankyou for sharing all your “family” with us. Mario and Carmen have been as much blessed, as you, to have each other in your lives. xxox.
TZ
Hi Zenyatta,
You can see the pride and love Mario and Carmen have for you, just as if you were one of their children.
This is a great picture! I hope you always remember them and they come to visit you often. They are a big part of the reason you accomplished what you did- because of their love and commitment to you. Great photo!!!
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
You are such a sweet and loving horse Zenyatta. Wishing you and your family of Team Zenyatta the Best and Happiest Joyous filled holiday season ever! May peace, comfort and love be forever overflowing in your lives.
Thankyou for everything that you all have given to all of us out here.
Love & Blessings Always!
LouAnn
Sarah Powell
One of my fears when you moved across the country was that you would not get to spend time with Mario again – it has always been so clear in every picture and video that there was a special bond between the two of you – how wonderful that your team keeps the two – three with Carmen connected – I hope that doesn’t change – there are not enough superlatives to describe both team Zs!! I also look forward at the end of each day to reading your post (even though I cry every day!!). Thank you – Thank you!!
Tim
Our family reads this together everyday cant get enough Z
Tere Thomas
Merry Christmas ZZ and Team Z!!
Kathleen Burnham
It is all well deserved “BIG” girl!!! You have made so many people, so very happy and I for one THANK YOU for that!! Merry Christmas Zenyatta!!!
MaryMcQuire
Zenyatta has a touch of magic about her.
sue
You are the best, zenyatta! If only people were half as authentic and loving as you!
Henrietta Wolfe
Zenyatta “YOU ARE THE GIFT” to all the world. I Love You! xoxoxoxxo
Linda from Vermont
Team Zenyatta – you treat Zen with such love and respect, she is very blessed. I wish all horses were treated this way. Thank you for sharing her story with us all. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2011!
Margaret Murphy
I’m so happy to see Mario and his wife visiting Zenyatta. I know they miss her so much. We are thankfur for the pictures of Z with her friends again. Merry Christmas all.
Alex Bowdoin
Dear Zenyatta,
The bond between you and Mario and Carmen is very special. I can see the love between the three of you in this photo. I watched again the video of your running free in the paddock for the first time. I love the tail up and your ears up and your whinny to say Yippppeeeee!!! We love you sooooo much. God Bless Team Zenyatta in both CA and KY….Thank you for taking such great care of her. Z is a gift from God to all of us….She is a great representative of the Thoroughbred Horse!
The Kennedys in San Diego
What a special bond these three have. Thank you, Mario, for all the patience and kindness you showed us during our many visits to Barn 55 in the past few years. And, Mario, it probably won’t surprise you to know that your and Carmen’s pictures along with Zenyatta are in OUR family albums and all over OUR house.
Tracey - Ottawa, ON Canada
A picture says a thousand words!! The first word when I look at the photo is “Love”. There is nothing like a bond that is special and that can never be replaced.
Nancy
Dear Zenny
What a beautiful and expressive photo. Really love it.
The video of you walking over to Mario without your lead,
nuzzling him and having him scratch your neck was so very
special, too. At my barn every year we gave the grooms a very
special x-mas present for all of the hard work they do for
the horses owners/riders. For the fans who have never owned
a horse to learn of the special relationship Mario and Carmen
had with you is wonderful. Thanks so much to The Mosses and Teams
Zenyatta for sharing these wonderful Christmas gifts with us. It is
not often that such an awesome horse is shared with their fans. I love to watch Ann Moss give Zenny treats. She has such love in her
eyes for Zen. Look forward to trip to Kentucky. Have a wonderful holiday and new year with lots of treats. Hello to Pirate
Queen, who looks like a sweetheart, too.
Julie DuVall
This is a beautiful photo! It truly shows the bond that can develop between humans and animals … LOVE. If anyone doubts that animals have emotions, here’s proof! Most of the photos I have of you and Mario, he looks so serious — it’s great to see a big smile on his face! I know he and Carmen must miss you terribly, but it’s clear they know that you are happy in your new home, and what more can proud parents ask for their child when she moves out into the “real world?”
Kathy Kimber
First off Dianne, thank you for the story of “The Old One” how moving and beautiful. Merry Christmas.
Second My dear Lady Z thank you once again for all you have given us. Blessings on you and both yours teams. Those in California and those at Lane’s End. We hold you close in our heart. Merry Christmas sweet lady. Lost of peppermints and pears to you dear one.
Vickie
GREAT Picture! Wow! Thank you Zenyatta = KUDOS again to Team Zenyatta! What an incredible experience I have been so fortunate to share! I thank all for the Memories and look forward to many more – Merry Christmas – Peace – Love and Happiness
Jacalyn
What a beautiful picture! It is a special one for me, because today the thoroughbred I adopted from a rescue organization nuzzled me for the first time. It has taken several months for him to be able to do that. It makes me sad that other horses don’t have wonderful connections like yours. You and your family serve as an example of the best in racing and the best in horsemanship. I pray that every horse owner learns from you and that someday I will have a picture with my “champion” that expresses the same love and devotion as yours.
Jacalyn
I almost forgot! Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to the Queen and all her extended family! (fans included)
Sandra Ryan
In my home town newspaper today the headline read: “Zenyatta the Lone Bright spot of the Past Year”. It went on to say
“Thoroughbreds gave us only one rich fuel source for long-lived nostalgia. Zenyatta
ended her career with a 19-1 record. Horse of the Year? Heck, no. She’s Horse of the Decade. Any horse-of the year ballots marked for New York hero Blame should be trashed due to NDD…Northeastern Delusion Disorder.
Zenyatta was racing’s gleaming star. Everything else? Forget it.”
That kind of says it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fran
It is just incredible because I really think if Zenny could talk her words would be the same as Dottie’s words! Z,you have this incredible family who love you with all their hearts and you return their love. And, you love us, your fans. Wow, you also have a new and loving family too, but I know you will always love Mario and Carmen, John and Dottie, and Mr. and Mrs. Moss as well as all of your old friends at Barn 55. Z, to ALL OF YOUR FAMILY, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Enjoy the day with family and friends and a big thank you to everyone who allows us, your fans, to love you too!
Mitchell
queen Z I was one of the lucky ones to see you at the breeder cup. Evertime my sister Ellen and I read your updates and read all love we all have for you we both cry. I would do anything for my sister and I to meet you
Lov. Mitchell and Ellen
Melissa
Team Z should be proud of Zenyatta’s accomplishments because THEY were the controlling factors in making her the greatest race horse of our time. Thank you again for sharing her with us and taking such fantastic care of her.
Robin U.
Oh yes, I love this photo too. Look at that love! Merry Christmas to you, Queen Z, and to all of the Zenyatta team. Tell Dottie how special she is for sharing all of this with us. Peace to all of you!