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
Helen Donnelly (Michigan)
Darling Zenny, Dear Team Z and LE, Loving Friends- one and all:
We are blessed indeed to have our own little spot of of heaven right here for the last year and into the future. Visiting daily has made an otherwise tumultuous year around the world bearable.
@Heidi: That video was beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
@ Dawn Conrad: Happy belated Birthday (sorry I missed it- was getting my husband admitted to the hospital- again).
@Terry Crow: Oooh, so glad you are back! And- you may be a Michigan Redneck if you wear a “Buy American” baseball cap that was made in China.
@Tessa: Welcome sweetie! You have tons of new friends now.
@Everyone: Friday ends the Bloodhorse.com rankings for 25Most Intriguing Horses/People/Event of 2011. Zenyatta, John, Mike and Z’s 2010 Horse of the Year are in the running. Vote!!!
@Everyone again: The hospital will be my home for a while, so I will miss some posts. Therefore, to you all: I wish you happiness, health, peace and love. Be blessed, Zenyatta – Mare of our hearts.
Fondly, Helen
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Good morning Zenny, I just checked the KHP camera and there isn’t any snow so you won’t be able to enjoy playing with Tasty in the snow today. Stay warm and have fun.
@ Kari – I think I could give you a good run for first place in the Space Queen Stakes. My computer skills are just about in the zero range, much to the annoyance of my daughter and Vic who are constantly called upon for help and are not always too pleased. I consider you to be an expert, those videos you post are awesome.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Good morning all! And good morning, Z!
@Helen Donnelly–prayers for you as you go to the hospital. Please have someone update us as soon as possible or when you can do it yourself.
Has anyone had a report on Krystal?
@Kari Bussell–it abdolutely DID!
With due respects, I fear the Space Queen title may be mine alone. I can’t even scan or post pictures, much less videos. SO I think everyone has me beat.
Terri Z
Happy belated birthday to Dawn Conrad.
Jill in Jersey
Our dearest Zenny – WE are also so lucky to be sharing in your life 1 whole year later. And treasure all those who share in your journey, we are truly Zisters (I love that term). And just think, only a few more months till that special day when you become a mom! Can’t wait to share that with you and everyone who loves you! Hope you and Tasty enjoy your day!
sharon in seattle
Ahhhh, for some blue skies, like the ones in this wonderful picture with your John! And I just checked Cigar’s webcam and the skies are BLUE!!! Winter gray in Seattle can be a bit much!
Helen in Michigan – best wishes and thoughts to you on your hospital stay. I lived in Lansing for 30 years.
Cynthia H./Where Zenyatta Danced
@Dawn Conrad: Writer summa cum laude of the Zenyatta Austen Society. Your graceful words always touch my heart. Thank you. I hope that your birthday was a great one!
@Kari: That video initiated a magical circle of friends, for which I will aways be grateful (burner of bridges and all things in-between). 12th Heart
@Helen Donnelly: I hope that all will go well with you and your husband.
Cynthia H./Where Zenyatta Danced
Grade I winnner MORNING LINE (Carter Handicap; Pennsylvania Derby; second in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile) has been transferred to Barn 55. Good luck, Morning Line! You could not hope to be going to a more caring home.
sharon in seattle
@Barbara Wood – looks like Baylor and UW at the Alamo Bowl for sure! let the cheering begin!!
signofthetimes
@Cynthia H
A couple of links above with racing history,
Owners and injury and join JS barn.
Annmaria
Hey Zenyatta!
You sure are a very special girl and you deserve all the accolades and more. Thank you Dottie and the Sheriff’s and all who are involved with your care. Thanks for the time you put into this diary too.
z4ever
Dear all, Just a quick hello from a fan who doesn’t post but faithfully visits daily with Zenyatta, her team and her ‘dumplings.’ It’s such a treat. Thank you for the differences you make. I teach my students better. I treat and train my pets better. I follow horse racing, contribute to Old Friends and Mike’s charities, can’t wait to visit Lexington and see Cigar, and look forward to making it to a track. I adore the updates and links you post. High hooves to all for sharing and caring!
Cynthia H./Where Zenyatta Danced
@signofthetimes: I see them now. Thank you very much!
Molly
Good Morning. So glad to see Cigar outside once again, even though he needed his blue blankie. Zenyatta, I am anxious to see a recent picture of you. I know Dottie is very busy right now, but can’t help being curious. Love ya.
JAG ~ Zenny's Auntie Judy / So. CA
@ ALL
KHP webcam link:
http://www.kyhometown.com/kyhorsepark/
Yes, Cigar is out grazing already (9:20 PT). A fb friend sent me a message that she had problems viewing the site. Hummm not sure why…?
Judy
darlene
love ya always I am so happy you are doing well miss seeing you race, but we were blessed you retired sound without injury be happy always dear Z
Pam
I can hardly believe that it has been a year already! Your life has definitely changed in the past year and will change again next year when your wriggly baby arrives and you take on the role of Mommy Zenyatta. So much to be grateful for this past year and so much to look forward to, thanks to you and your wonderful Team!
Love to you, your baby, Tasty and her baby!
PatB from NM
Glad I had several opportunities to see you several times before your retirement to LE (BC Classic 2010), 55, your farewell, your party at BC11), and now so grateful to be kept up to date about you via your diary. You bless us all. Love you always, Z.
Cate
I remember how we were all holding our breath to see how we would all adjust to your retirement. I cannot believe this was already one year ago ! Merry Christmas ! You give me the greatest joy.
Debbie
What an amazing year. I am so grateful that Dottie has allowed us to keep up with you. Even after a year, I still check these posts. I might not read them every day like I did when you first left…I let a few days slip and then catch up. You’re quite remarkable. 2012 is going to be a special yew when we get to see your little one. Love you Zenyatta. You will forever be remembered and warm our hearts.
Robyn Mullhausen
Zenyatta, you are certainly one special horse. I still have the 20/20 video from last year where they did a story on you. Guess I’ll make room on my DVR now and hope 20/20 goes out to do another story on you and your baby next year. ;) I know that foal will be TOO CUTE.
Paul
Zenyatta, it is really amazing that you remember the 1 year anniversary that you moved to Lane’s End Farm, which is December 7th. That is also the anniversary of the day that the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The year was 1941. It is really amazing that John received a letter from an American 10 year old girl currently living in Russia asking about you. She has always followed you and is asking how you are currently doing. That is real dedication.