Hello,
The staff at Lane’s End did a fabulous job decorating the office for the holidays! And….YES….my ornament is on the tree. YIPPEE!
There I am! This is my Breyer holiday ornament that we offer in the Zenyatta Shop. It is rather special and I know only a limited number of them were made. The ones we are offering are even more special as they are signed by MY JOHN!
Also, I’d personally like to thank BECKY from Radcliff, Kentucky, for making an ornament of ME for ME. It also has a very special place on the tree.
(OH, there’s ME again at the top of this photo checking everything out! TOO CUTE! Becky, you did a great job! )
What a festive time of the year!
In addition to all of these FUN things, our responsibilities still continue. We have so many people working countless hours to make our industry function as smoothly as possible.
The Racing Symposium has been taking place in Arizona for several days now. The participants are actively working to review and discuss various aspects of our sport. They want to analyze areas which can be further developed so our industry can become stronger…on all levels. This is so worthwhile. Panelists from all over the country are sharing ideas all embracing a similar goal…to make this the best sport possible for everyone involved…both HORSE and HUMAN.
This requires a great deal of hard work. The knowledge and dedication of these individuals is greatly appreciated. I am personally sending each of them a HIGH HOOF for his/her efforts.
Racing Cards around the country are very competitive. I’m hearing the early start to the Gulfstream Park Meet is off to a wonderful beginning. Hollywood Park has several racing days left of their fall meet…and the Grade 1 Starlet for 2 year old fillies is their signature race of the weekend. Other tracks around the country are also offering many other fine racing opportunities!
So much to study and review. I truly want to keep on top of all of these things…so I better get busy!
Have a very special weekend!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Alene
Hi Zenny, Beautiful tree and of course you just put the icing on the cake (tree)…Lots of hugs and kisses, Alene
Cathy P
YOu are just so cute Zenyatta. Stay warm at it is cold hear in Ca. Everyone have a great weekend and stay warm. Lots of Love and Big Hugs.
The Kennedys in San Diego
PVal retires.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66539/jockey-valenzuela-announces-retirement
Molly
Sounds chilly in Lexington. Stay warm, Zenyatta.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Hi Zenny,
The tree is beautiful, and I ordered one of your ornaments (it will be the first “Z thing” that I’ve had, and I’m really looking forward to getting something signed by John!)
@Karen Gogue
Many years ago I had an artificial tree that required inserting each limb into the trunk. My cat Tibby was really pretty good about it, but one day she found a limb that must not have had any lights attached, removed it from the tree, and ran around the apartment with it in her mouth like she had won some great athletic event. Way before the days of easy access cameras, but it was just “too cute.” Hope you survive without much additional blood loss.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Sandy (northeast Ohio)–love the litty story!
A Zenyatta float in the Rose Parade–how perfect.
@All–especially Florida Dumplings–just got an e-mail from the head of the Panhandle Equine Rescue, Inc. in FL. They are desperately in need of funds for hay for starving donkeys and minis. Please help if you can.
http://www.panhandleequinerescue.org.
Terry Crow
@Sue Fredrick-LIberace was indeed very talented. Before he made it big, he was on local live TV here in SoCal. One night the power went out and he had to light a candleabra that was on his piano. Thus, a tradition was born. People always told me that I should see his Vegas show. But I didn’t think I would enjoy it. One December, his was the only show because he lived in Vegas and was, so to speak, home for the holidays. Boy, was I wrong. Great showman. So glad I got to see him before he passed. @D Stuart-No problem. You can be on top. @Dawn Conrad-Thank you. @Karen Gogue-Just a dog at my place. At my age, cougars are hard to find. @Rosemary McCauley and D Stuart, charter members of the Arizona/New Mexico chapter-You might be a redneck if the words NASCAR, tire dog or shotgun appear in your wedding vows. @Judy Berube, president of New England chapter-you might be a redneck if all of your favorite shirts came with a two pack purchase of cigarettes. @Susan In TN and Kari Bussell-You might be a redneck if foreplay consists of slipping off his or her saddle. You might be a redneck if the main course at a potluck dinner is road kill. You might be a redneck if the most common phrase in your house is “someone go jiggle the handle.”
Roberta Smith
Hello Pretty Girl! I love your ornaments on the tree – beautiful and I love you Zenyatta!
Sue in Indiana
Barbaro’s little brother won nicely on the turf today. Looked really good! Here’s hoping. 3 months to go Big Mama!! Can hardly wait. :)
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
@ Dawn – Would have loved to stay indoors but no such luck. Vic has a paper route and I drive her around as she delivers on Wednesday after school and on Saturday morning. When we finished the deliveries we went for lunch at her favorite local restaurant, an early celebration of her birthday. We’ll be talking to Susan on Tuesday when she phones to wish Vic happy birthday so I will pass along your greetings. Has your Mom’s new kitty been named yet? She sounds like a loving little soul so she’ll be good company for Mom and add a little sparkle to her life.
Kathy S.
Hi Zenny and Z-sters. Happy weekend! I think I see a yellow Lab in the bottom photo just under Zenny. There needs to be a white poodle…Sophie Shirreffs!
Diana_NV
Thanks for mentioning the symposium going on in AZ. People are doing a lot of talking these days, but until we start taking some critical actions, the sun is going to set on the sport of horse racing. Zenny, you and your connections have done so much to promote the good aspects of the sport. We need to work hard to get rid of the unethical and illegal things that continue to corrupt the sport and focus on the incredible equine athletes and the human connections that are in the sport for the right reasons. Thanks so much to your human team, Zenny, that continue to do the right things. It’s more than a start!!! God bless you all!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Diana–NV–you are so right! God bless Z’s connections.
Kathleen Kimber KC, MO
“WAR HORSE” I was lucky enough to win tickets to a sneak preview of War Horse it is a must see for everyone.
Kathleen Kimber KC, MO
Zeny sweet girl what do you want for Christmas a nice Pear Pie maybe?
Debbie from Ohio
@Dawn Conrad and @Trina Nagele – Thanks for the warm welcome. I can honestly say that racing thoroughbreds that you have raised from babies is one of the most exiciting experiences in my life. It is hard to describe the thrill of standing in the winner’s circle when your horse wins – Knowing that you were partially responsible for his success. Unfortunately I do not race anymore because my horse trainer passed away 3 years ago and I had to sell my horses. The horses are in Georgia and very happy in their new careers. Dottie does an outstanding job of explaining all the ins and outs of the “racing game.” And yes I bought a Zenyatta ornament yesterday. Can’t wait to get it.
Sally B. (Wi)
@Karen Gogue; I could just picture this. ha ha; sorry but this made me laugh at your expense.
Sally B. (Wi)
@Diana_NV: AMEN!
Debbie G/Kentucky
@Trina Nagele – Another beautiful poem! Honestly, I don’t know how you do it.
@Sally B – Have a great time at the game tomorrow! I’ll be cheering for them from home. I’ve kind of adopted the Packers as my team since the Bengals started stinking so bad. I just love Aaron Rodgers!
@Karen Gogue – Your post is too cute! I know exactly how you feel. I have four kitties. I haven’t put up my tree since my youngest, Leroy, was a kitten. I would squirt towards him with a squirt gun every time he tried to climb the tree, but even that didn’t stop him. He’s three now, so maybe I’ll try it again.
Shari VoltzOhio
Hi Zenyatta I hope you and Tasty had a good day. I ran this morning and it was cold. I mean cold. I love the beutiful tree. LE is so pretty anyway. I have one of your ornaments on our tree too. This one was a gift from a friend. The other Z ornament I have is out all year. It is my pretend bronze :) It was a gift from Ann when she sent them to the class last year. How lucky we are to have you and your family in our lives. Have a good night. Sweet Dreams. Hugs and Kisses, Shari XXXOOO
@Dawn I love our talks :)
@Hi Susan in TN :)
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Please pardon the off-topic digression but I can barely contain myself. Our RG3 just won the Heisman for Baylor. Whoopee! Unbelievable. All the candidates were worthy and congrats to them all for being finalists!
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Congratulations to Killer Graces. What a great Win.
@Weemissfrankie, Sorry for your stumble. Hope you are aok. You two fillies are just great.
Love Ya Zenny
Bailey
Zenyatta I would love to have you on my Christmas tree. I will be begging for that orniment this year.
signofthetimes
Happy B-day Patty Smith, hope you had a great day.
@ Trina N
Another lovely poem!!
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
Hope you had a great relaxing Saturday, grazing and
Watching the races. Also eating healthy for two. XXXXOOO
Karen Gogue
Patty Smith
Great to meet you at the track today – how awesome to have a race named in your honor on your birthday! Too bad you could not go to barn 55. Have a wonderful birthday party tonight!
Kim S in Tampa FL
Wow Zenny, such a busy time of year. Have been birthday doings with my daughter, Adrianna. Yesterday on her birthday, she had a riding lesson then we had to rush home to change and get to her school Christmas progam. And today was her party with several of her friends.
@Trina Nagele–thanks again for Adrianna’s poem. Took it to her party for everyone to read. And needless to say, they all were impressed.
@Shari Voltz, Barbara Wood, Kathy Baldwin, Delrene in Carlsbad and Dawn Conrad–Adrianna and I thank you for your birthday wishes.
@Patty Smith–Happy Birthday to you!!! Another amazing poem from Trina.
@Tiffany Vaughn–thoughts and prayers still for your sister, Krystal.
@Karen Gogue & Sandy in NE OH–Too funny and wonderful descriptions of kitty mayhem.
I think I mentioned that 2 weeks ago today, 1 male adult cat and 9 kittens, from at least 3 different litters, were dumped at the horse rescue. I decided to take one home (to foster-ha ha ha) since he wouldn’t push his way into the fray to eat. Adrianna wanted him for her birthday soooo, I agreed. My other cat, CT isn’t too enthusiastic, but will hopefully come around.
Well, it is late Z and getting tired so you keep warm with Tasty in that wonderful barn.
Lotsa love to all.
Kim S in Tampa FL
Oh wow, what a mess of a sentence :)
Have been doing the birthday thing with my daughter. Sheesh, I am tired.
Have a great night.
Diana S
@Diana_NV: Hear, hear! Well said!
diastu in tempe (Another Diana)
Diana S
@Kim in Tampa: Watch out! Rescue kitties, rescue puppies, and (ulp!) rescue horses are like potato chips – you can’t just have one!
diastu in tempe