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
Diana S
@Yay Margano! (Zenny, of all of Barbaro’s full brothers, he is the one I most thought had what it takes to finish the business our beloved Barbaro started. Hooves crossed!)
diastu in tempe
Diana S
@Terry Crow: Naughty boy! And you are just the right age for a saber-toothed tiger!
diastu in tempe
Sue Fredrick - Wisconsin
@Barabara Wood so happy for your RGIII he certainly is a worthy winner!!! GO PACKERS #13 tomorrow.
LauraJ in Cincinnati OH
@Trina Nagele, LOL Step is making quite a career of finishing second. According to the recap, he got soon after an awkward start. At least he’s making money; he earned $3000 for his effort. Out of 10 starts he has finished 2nd four times and third twice. Could be a lot worse.
LauraJ in Cincinnati OH
Meant to say “he got bumped soon after an awkward start.”
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Good luck to the Mosses, John Shirreffs, and V. Espinosa with 4-yr-old filly ROXANNE O in race 3 at HP Sunday afternoon.
@All who commented on the birthday poems—THANK YOU for your encouragement!
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
A tree fit for our Queen I’ll be happy to volunteer to decorate an outdoor tree for you and Tasty! I hope you are keeping warm.It is a cold night. I love you so very, very much! Sweet Horsey Dreams beautiful girls.
@Barbara Wood- I am thrilled for you!! I dreamed of our Peyton winning years ago. I do know what is like to what special player and person from you team to win..
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
@Trina- Hubby just walked in with mail.You are so very thoughtful. I LOVE it.I am a sentimental soul…and you Know what that word JOY means to me….and you have given me much Joy. You just floor me every day with how thoughtful you are. I will treasure it always…I sent you a email with words (I hope-LOL)…earlier.
I am just now reading comments. I am way behind today.
@Diane S- I hope you received some words from me too- LOL!
@Sue Freddrick & Terry C- Ditto!
I am going to read comments now.
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
@Kennedy’s – Saw the article too on P Val – I wish him continued success in his retirement after really coming back from adversity. He is such a great jockey. Always a good ride and great attitude. A pleasur to meet at Del Mar…. I wonder if they will have some sort of retirement ceremony or just “ride off into the sunset” so to speak.
Good night Zenny – It’s very chilly here in Carlsbad tonight – I hope to take my shepherd Tessa for a walk down by the beach in Del Mar tomorrow – she loves it so much. We walked in Poway today past some horse boarding facilities and she minds her manners and is most curious about these larger 4 legged potential friends. Night night to you and Baby Z
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
“pleasure” whoops.
M. Kern
Thanks for the update. I ordered your Beyer holiday ornament last night. I hope I get it before Christmas so I can hang it on my tree. YIPPEE! Have fun outside with Tasty. I love you!
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
@Sunny and all SO. CAL/LOS ANGELES COUNTY RESIDENTS & Dottie and the Mosse’s. How does one submit an idea for a float? The city of Arcadia/Pasadena accept suggestions for float themes? I believe a Zenyatta/Thoroughbred horse/racing/Hollywood Park/Santa Anita float is a wonderful idea- 2013? Horses are a very, very big part of the Rose Parade ( my favorite part I might add, surprised???) Just found out last year about the Equefest and bought tickets for this year upcoming December 30th…. I’m sure tickets are still available. go to Rose Parade website. I bought mine a couple of months ago. Back in 1989 my son was in the Poway high School marching band and was part of the festivities in his senior year.. It was really an amazing experience. Then 2 years ago he flew over the parade on a sunny clear day in the B-2 Stealth Bomber. That was super exciting to be there in a front row seat. Mama was so proud. ( you will soon feel that burst of pride too Z-girl . The parade has always held special meaning to me. The crowds would swell with lots of Z fans if there was a float honoring the “horse” and all that it means.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Dearest Kari Bussell—I’m so glad you liked the trinket I sent! And I did get the e-mail WITH WORDS! Bless you!
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: I am trying to catch up on your diaries! Sorry I haven’t written over the past several days, but it has taken all my energy to get back into the swing of things at work. I love your ornament and will place my order now. I sure hope there are some left. Love you Zenny!
@Patty Smith–Happy Birthday!
@Diana_NV and Dawn Conrad – Colorado: Well said!!!! I hope so too. I love the sport of horseracing. I would not only like to see improvements made; but more importantly, I sure hope the panelists can put policies in place to put an end to the corrupt, dark-side of the sport.
Trudy Schossler
I have your oranament on my tree, it is so special and I can look at it all I want. Have a great day. love you Zenyatta
Susan in TN
Zenny- what a beautiful tree! I don’t know how they find the time to do all they do at LE, but I’m so glad they do! Thank Sarah for us, Z. I LOVE your ornaments! I just ordered mine- I’ve been meaning to for awhile but signed by your John?! Wow! I’ll bet you’re enjoying these chilly days. I hope you and Tasty are having a great weekend together. You are so right about all the people working hard to make racing the sport that it is. Love you, sweet girl. What do you want for Christmas? Do you hang four stockings-haha?
Linda in NJ
@The Kennedys in San Diego: Would you happen to know if tickets for the BC 2012 can be purchased at this time? I guess I would contact SA Racetrack for tickets? Thanks!
Susan in TN
To my Z Friends: Starting to get caught up (again). Hope all are well- warm wishes to everyone! Chester and Chopper are getting their new friend today! Annie is 28 and in great shape for an “older girl.” She will belong to the family where the boys are living. They will be SO excited! Hooves crossed that it goes well- no reason to think it won’t! The boys are doing so well.
@Patty Smith: Happy Birthday!
@Becky in KY: Way to go on the ornament! That’s really neat!
@Linda in NJ: Glad you are doing better and back at work.
Will catch up more later<3
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
@All interested – on the front page of the L.A. Times today: “Horses, once prized, are paying for the dire economy” http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-abandoned-horses-20111211,0,3791949.story
Sunny Boyd
@Delrene from Carlsbad
wow, the bit about the Stealth Bomber.
But I truly believe it would be equally wow if the TB Racehorse float were seen at the Rose Bowl Parade. I read on here that Mr. Moss is on the TBHR commission of CA. I don’t know why that would be a conflict of interest, since it wouldn’t just stop with Barn 55 & Zenyatta, not if it turned into a regular appearance at the parade. Z-team would be the first. But if it is a conflict, maybe your idea via Barn 55 Eblouisante and Dottie & John for Grand Marshalls of the Parade pretty nifty, too. Maybe some retired rescued racehorses riding along to be seen for adoption? A sight to see & write home about :)
HappyHarriet
Dear Queen Zenyatta & the Royal Baby –
.
Happy Holidays and Ho Ho Ho to the Horses, the Horse Lovers, and to the people who treat people as well as they do horses.
.
For your inspiration at this time of year, here is an example for us all:
.
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/bloodstock/war-horse-book-movie-provide-timely-boost-to-80-year-old-equine-charity/
.
Happy Fa-La-La ~~HH
Tracy in NH
I attended a co-worker’s Christmas party Friday night and was able to meet his five rescued Haflinger horses. He actually rescued four and then learned the only mare was pregnant. All were headed for slaughter if he and his wife hadn’t saved them. They are beautiful, sweet horses who enjoyed the carrots and peppermints I brought for them! I wanted to share this given the recent depressing news about horse slaughter possibly starting again in the US.
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Linda in NJ — You can register using this link to receive ticket info for the the 2012 Breeders’ Cup. If I recall, tickets are usually offered for sale in the May-June timeframe.
http://www.breederscup.com/content.aspx?id=46180
tony
Zenny, I’m saving roon on my lot in Va in case you want to take a little trip and graze in the beauty of our state. Maybe next year after little Z/B is born?
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Sue Fredrick–thanks and GO PAckers and Badgers!
@Kari Bussell– thank you! We are still on cloud nine! Good luck to the Lady Vols today in the Maggie Dixon Classic.
@the Kennedys–thanks for the ticket info. I just signed up.
@Vicki B.–thanks for the link. I just posted on Equi-Army site. People need to realize that slaughter will not stop the overbreeding, which is the root of the problem. It will just make it easier to dispose of the unwanted horses.(An unthinkable thought)
Cynthia H./Santa Anita Girl
Dearest Zenyatta,
Sarah Campion’s photos are lovely, as always. Legends’ Eden is beautifully dressed, and ready to welcome Christmas! I hope that the members of your adorable family who were displaced by the big winds have returned home, and are busily making preparations of their own.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zenyatta, if you had not been such a brilliant racehorse, you might have proved a marketing whiz. The two-for-one ornament currently being offered in your Shop is fabulous! Your replica has pride-of-place on my tree, and I have also hung its container, bearing your adorable John’s golden signature, in honor of Boxing Day—which happens to coincide with the official opening day of Santa Anita, December 26th!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Dawn Diovera has WONDERFUL horsey shopping finds on Horse and Man today—beautiful jewelry, toys, knit hats for humans that look like a horse (Whoa!) and much more plus a link to a CHARITY AUCTION where you can find more lovely horsey items of all kinds where your holiday purchase helps funds rescue—the MIDWEST HORSE WELFARE FOUNDATION AUCTION ends Monday. http://horseandman.com/
@Vicki B—Thanks for the link.
@Linda in NJ—Glad you’re hanging in there! Best wishes always.
signofthetimes
Weemissfrankie and Hollywood Starlet:
Lots of talk about Breeder’s cup being taxing for her with a start one month later; flying around the country also takes it “out” of some horses. Did she stumble at the gate and be non-competative due to fatigue and then injury???? She will be back in 6 months. Good Luck weemissfrankie !!! We will miss you???
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66554/killer-graces-nails-hollywood-starlet-upset
signofthetimes
weemissfrankie’s injury or just a bad step???
http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-park-weemissfrankie-needs-surgery-leg-injured-hollywood-starlet
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@TRACY IN NH—Thank you so much for the touching story of the four rescued Haflinger horses. Please tell your wonderful boss and his lovely wife that there are many people here on Zenyatta’s site and on Equi-Army’s site who want to send them A GREAT BIG THANK YOU AND MANY HIGH HOOFS!