Good Morning,
Last year, on this very date, was my first full day living in Lexington, Kentucky….at Lane’s End Farm. Here is MY JOHN walking ME around in the area right by my new barn. He was helping ME in the acclimation process to my new world. We were both so cozy and warm in our wonderful winter jackets enjoying quality time together…just as we had done so many times during the prior 5 years.
MEMORIES….they are truly something to hold dear! A charming friend of Dottie’s who was a very talented artist, Joy, used to always comment to her that “MEMORIES ARE ONE’S BEST PAINTINGS”!
It has been a fabulous year….and I am blessed in so many ways.
One very special way, which I deeply treasure is ALL of YOU. I am still in awe of how many special and loving FRIENDS I have….from all over the world.
Just yesterday, MY JOHN received a FAN LETTER from a 10 year old American girl, Tessa Mc Dowell, who lives in Moscow, Russia. She loves horses and horse racing. To quote Tessa, “I especially love the beautiful mare you trained, ZENYATTA. She is one amazing horse; one of the greatest ever.”
Tessa wanted to know all about ME….what it was like to train ME… how I was as a race horse and how I am doing now. This is so special. I feel very touched for several reasons. As I mentioned earlier in this Diary posting…I AM BLESSED IN SO MANY WAYS.
Additionally, as today marks my one year anniversary living at the farm, I’d also like to thank LANE’S END and ALL of the wonderful people here who have worked so hard to make this transition to my new ‘MOM-TO-BE’ life so relaxing and enjoyable for ME. To Charles, Matt, Sarah, and Donna….a special HIGH HOOF to each of you for all that you do for ME each day!
I am truly one very fortunate HORSE!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(A special HELLO to Tessa in Moscow!)
Z
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Kari B:
Love and Hugs, JB
Amanda Stephens
Dear Z
Whole year has gone by, and I have kept up with most if not all the posts that Dottie posts about you and your new life at Lanes End. I have learned a lot about what goes on for a horse such as yourself after life on the track. Even though you are a horse, I believe you to be special and unique. I believe you to be a special gift from God. I wish I could see you and touch you for real and not in my dreams. Even though I only saw you race in your last couple races, I knew then you were special. Every time I saw you race you brought a smile to my face, even watching the races on youtube after the fact I smiled. Your dancing moves before your races brought tears of joy and happiness to me. You are a great horse Zenyatta, you belong up there with the other great racehorses of all-time. You will make a great mother and I hope you pass on all your qualities to your foals. Merry Christmas Zenyatta!!! *hugs and kisses*
Debbie
hi Z! YOU are my blessing, I don’t know how I could have made it through so many rough days without YOU, YOUR diary keeps me smiling, thank YOU (Dottie and Team Z)!!! I treasure YOU gorgeous mama and love YOU sooo much!!! Happy Anniversary!!! xoxoxo
Donna
This picture of you and your John make me feel so happy because of the love and care you’ve been given by your special team. You are so special and need to be treated so. God bless each of your team and you, Zenny
Terry Crow
@signofthetimes, Anne from Paramount,Kim S, Barbara Grimaldi and Trina Nagele-Thank you. @JAG and Delrene from Carlsbad-I used to go to the Arboretum to watch the filming of Fantasy Island. Hope the damage there is minimnal. @Angelafrom Abilene-Welcome to the club. You are now an official member. January 27 is our big day. Vicki in Pleasant Valley-As Wilbur said in Charlotte’s Web, Welcome. This is a nice place. I would like to note the passing of Dobie Gray. He, among others, recorded one of my all-time favorite songs, Loving Arms, AKA If You Could See Me Now. Moving lyrics. If I would have taken it to heart several years ago, things would be a lot different today. Check it out on You Tube if you are not familiar with it and tell me what you think. @Rosemary McCauley and Diana S, charter members of the Arizona/ New Mexico Chapter–You might be a redneck if you bought two CB radios so you could talk to yourselves. @Judy Berube, president of the New England Chapter-You might be a redneck if you have ever dipped cheese in beer for a midnight snack. @Susan in TN and Kari Bussell-You might be a redneck if you ever tried to grow mixed nuts. You might be a redneck if you think Cocker Spaniels are illegal aliens. You might be a redneck if you think urethra is a famous black singer. Will post a joke later.
Karen Gogue
Beautiful remembrance Barbara G.
Yes, not too many realize that veterans from WW 2 may request to be buried there at sea with those lost that day…thank you for posting that.
nancy
you are so missed, but we all know your happy in your new life. I know that your foal will be just as speical as you are. We all love you Z.
Dawn Conrad - Colorado
@In Remembrance of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 – My beloved father joined the navy at a very young age in 1941. He left high school early and arrived in Pearl Harbor shortly after the attach to take his position on the mine sweeper USS Tracy. He served on that ship all the way through the war, going from Pearl Harbor to the harbor of Toyko. It was a remarkable time in my father’s life and he shared many stories and memories with me and my brother’s. In my living room I have a very special picture of my father in his navy uniform and that same uniform hangs in my mother’s closet. When I look at that picture and uniform I think of how very young he was and how unprepared for war he must have been, yet how brave all of those young men who served then and now truly are. On this day I honor my father and all those that protect our freedom.
JAG ~ Zenny's Auntie Judy / So. CA
Fair Grounds: Nehro preparing for 2012 comeback
http://www.drf.com/news/fair-grounds-nehro-preparing-2012-comeback
NOTE: If the above link was previously shared ~ sorry!
suew/Va
Zenny, when I heard you would be living in Ky. I feared that I would never see you again or be able to follow you in your new life as a mom. Boy, was I wrong! Thanks to your wonderful connections and especially Dottie, we have a glimpse into your days. You are sorely needed in this crazy world and we are blessed to be able to remain so close to you.
tony and sue
Zenny, any picture of YOU with YOUR John is super special. Both of you are class acts all the way.
Jamie
I got my “Queen’s Dance” poster yesterday. I can’t wait to have it framed. It is FABULOUS! because YOU are Fabulous.
Love,hugs and kisses
Deborah Richman from So. Cal.
Dawn…Wishing you the happiest of birthdays! May this year bring you ever new joy and peace. You are such a special friend to all of us on this site with your eloquent, insightful comments…so full of compassion and kindness. Have a wonderful day and a great year!
What a legacy your father left you with his service in the Navy and all the stories about his experiences there. My own father was in the Infantry and served in France and Germany.
Honoring the memories of all who served…
Deborah Richman from So. Cal.
Trina…I just went back and read your poem to Dawn. Awesome!
#1 New England Fan
Happy anniversary, Queen Z! I love today’s photo of you and your JOHN walking in the snow together. You are THE PERFECT TEAM.
I just read a wonderful anonymous quote that is the motto of today’s equine charity on MIKE SMITH’s facebook page. I have never seen it before, love it and want to share it in case it’s new to you,too:
“My gold neither sparkles nor jingles. It glistens in the sunlight and whinnies in the darkness.”
Zenyatta, you will always be our golden girl!
@ Dawn Conrad — happy birthday! You have a magical way with words that I just love.
Annie B in MA
Linda
We are truly lucky to be able to see and hear from you and about you daily.
Sue in Indiana
It is such a Blessing to have you Z and your Team letting us all know how things are going with you and them. Weather is quite nicer in KY this year so far. Love you!
Gloria Jeanne - The O.C.
Happy 1 Year Anniversary at Lane’s End. It’s so cool to see you and John enjoying your first full day in Kentucky – You are truly a lucky horse. I’m sure that John has so many wonderful memories of your days at Hollywood Park, Barn 55. He’s a lucky too!!!
Dottie – A VERY SPECIAL ****THANK YOU**** for keeping us up to date on the adventures of Zenyatta!!! TOO CUTE!!!!
Also, I hope that things are returning to normal in Santa Anita – Arcadia – What a week for you guys.
HUGS to ALL
Patricia Emery
Happy Anniversary at LE! I am so happy that the staff are so extremely dedicated to your care & attend to all of your needs.
XOXO
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
@Tessa McDowell,
Welcome to our family! I very much enjoyed reading your words about our beloved Zenyatta.
Dear Lane’s End -From the bottom of my heart I want to Thank you for all you do to keep our Queen so very happy and for taking such excellent care of her.
My Queen,
I wish I had the gift of words for moments like this to tell you how I feel. I did this video of you Dec.26,2010 . It says how I feel best. I love you beautiful one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_VcQFTsMzI
Dearest Dottie,
Thank you for giving so much of your time, heart & soul to us this past year. I am eternally grateful for Everything you have done. May all the love, & Joy you give be returned to You!
12th-Heart!
@Cynthia H- We are a pair!
12th-heart
@Judy B- Hugs – Love & JOY to YOU!
Susan in TN
Dear Zenny,
I love the picture of you and your John. I wonder what was running thru his mind. It’s hard to believe it’s been a year! We are all so blessed here, aren’t we?
(Thanks to YOU and Dottie!)Hope you and your little lamb are having a great day. Love you <3
Susan in TN
P.S. It’s pretty remarkable that you have touched the heart of a girl in Moscow!
P.P.S. THANK YOU to Charles, Matt, Sarah and Donna for the outstanding care you all have given the Queen! You must be the “A” team!
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
@Kennedys, she’s actually further along than that–Day 255 after she was bred. I got obsessive and counted. :-) The fetus is probably around 50 lbs by now and growing like the proverbial weed.
Susan in TN
@Dawn Conrad: Happy, happy birthday! Hope it is a terrific one!
@Terry Crow: Haha! SO glad to see you back!!
@DJ: Ditto!!
@All: Love all your stories, especially about Z! I could here them over and over!
I just read “War Horse” and did really enjoy it, although it IS a tear-jerker. It’s a children’s story the way “The Red Pony” was- I’m still kind of traumatized by that! I do look forward to the movie. It’s like Black Beauty, set in a war. Thank you, Kim S, for loaning me your copy!
Cheyenne and Sass went to their new home. Chester and Chopper are doing great- wearing their winter coats today!
Warm wishes to all <3
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
I want to also share this very beautiful video just in case some of you have not seen it. I did NOT do this. It is far better than any of mine. I think it is one of THE BEST tribute videos . I do not know who did it to give them credit. It is of Zenyatta at Lane’s End with a wonderful edit of the Bloodhorse video . The music is “Pure Spirits of the Forests”–by: James Horner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckLpoAstNZ0
eastcoastkid
@Dawn Conrad; HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! May you have many more filled with happiness.
The picture of YOUR John and You seems bittersweet to me; I am sure he was happy YOU were healthy and ready to move on with YOUR life; YOU had accomplished everything possible for a thoroughbred on the track; the next phase of YOUR remarkable life was waiting for YOU at Lane’s End. For YOUR John it must have been a difficult time; happy to know you were well and ready to be a mama and yet he must have had been sad about not seeing and talking to YOU every day as he had for the previous 5 years; that is a long time to get to know and love someone. I hope for Mike and YOUR John and Dottie, Mario, Ann and Jerry Moss, the year has been one of positive change and joyous memories. Please let YOUR future be a happy start to another wonderful life….Love YOU Zenny!
Nancy C from California
I cannot believe it has been a year since you have been at Lanes End. Time flies when you are having fun, and you truly are. You have adjusted so well and you have many loving folks around you and many many adoring fans. We are truly BLESSED to have you. You have brightened so many lives and continue to do so. You and your team are to be given many HIGH HOOVES. I received your beautiful print along with your foal Charm Bracelet and I just love them, I also ordered your Christmas ornament and cannot wait to get it. I hope all is going well in Arcadia after the wind storm. Again Queen Z we adoring fans are BLESSED to have you and many many THANKS to your team for keeping us informed. DOTTIE is one busy lady and she still has time to keep us informed. Again HIGH HOOVES.
Sue Noel/Sun Valley ID
Oh Zenny-what a sweet and touching picture! We are so truly blessed by your presence in this world and by the generosity of all of your team in keeping you close to us. It really is an astounding gift to each one of us!!
@ Dawn Conrad-HAPPY,HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR GIRL!!!! YOU ARE SUCH A PRECIOUS PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES TOO!!! I PRAY THAT WE WILL GET TO MEET AT THE BC NEXT YEAR—YOU WILL BE SURROUNDED BY ZSTERS WANTING TO MEET AND HUG YOU!! I WILL GLADLY WAIT IN LINE IF I HAVE TOO!!! HOPE YOUR DAY IS A WONDERFUL ONE. YOUR BEAUTIFUL POSTS BRING SUCH JOY TO ALL OF US,YOU DESERVE THAT JOY BACK TO YOU TEN-FOLD ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY!!
@ Trina–Another masterpiece!!
@ Terry Crow–So good to have you back!!!
Zenny,I’ll bet you have your sweater (or a thick blanket) on today!! Casey and Traveler have been moved for the winter to a farm about 20 miles south of here,where there will be a lot less snow. You should see the winter coats they are getting–they are going to look like yaks by winter’s end!! I think they are enjoying watching all of the activity and the other horses there. Hope you are staying cozy and getting some sunshine on your back. LOVE YOU!
Sue Noel/Sun Valley ID
Oops! Hit one too many O’s–I meant to about waiting in line,not too!!!
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
@Trina Nagele- Your poem for Dawn is beautiful. I never cease to be deeply moved by the time, thought, heart & energy you pour into making everyone feel so loved and special. You truly have the spirit of Zenyatta!
@Dawn C- Happy Birthday! (again)- I had a Cinder, named Ginger. We share similar experiences.