Happy Wednesday Everyone,
Today is a day of CELEBRATION! Not only am I sending a HIGH HOOF to my horse pal, RAPID REDUX, for his win #21 in a row yesterday at Laurel, I am also sending one to my dear friend, Michelle, at Barn 55.
Rapid Redux’s victory yesterday has him tied for the modern-day United States record for wins in a single season…19. He tied CITATION who accomplished this in 1948 and Roseben who established this record in 1905. What a wonderful achievement. Congratulations, RAPID REDUX!
As for my dear BARN 55 friend, MICHELLE, she has just completed her MASTERS’ DEGREE in “Marriage and Family Counseling”. Throughout the last several weeks, in particular, she has been incredibly busy….working at the barn…and then studying for her COMPS. YEAH…the results are in and she passed beautifully. I AM SO, SO, SO PROUD OF HER! All of my dear friends who have worked with Michelle during the last several years are as well! This is very special!
When I was at BARN 55, Michelle was not only one of MY JOHN’S assistants…but she also studied massage therapy (human and equine) for 3 years. Thus, she was my personal masseuse while I was in training. Michelle and I spent countless one-to-one hours together. I must say…I enjoyed every moment with her….and I hope she felt the same about ME!
At this time, Michelle must complete a required number of hours applying her skills as a type of ‘practical training’. This is required by the STATE of CALIFORNIA for her to officially be LICENSED as a Marriage and Family Counselor. She is actively doing this right now…working with people on the ‘backside’ (meaning all people who work at the racetrack)…under the guidance of the Winners’ Foundation and it’s staff. The latter organization provides a place where people who work at the racetrack can go and get the proper ‘help’ of various types one might need in life. This assistance is provided at NO COST to the backside employees. It is truly a wonderful source of guidance, counseling, and help for so many individuals at a time in their lives when it is deeply needed.
On another note, Michelle is also a very accomplished rider. One of her wishes before I left Barn 55 for my ‘new career’ was to RIDE ME!
WISH GRANTED as you can see in this photo! MY JOHN said that she and I could take a ‘tour of the barn area’ together the day before I left for Lane’s End. SUCH FUN MEMORIES!
Cheers to RAPID REDUX!
YEAH and a HUGE HIGH HOOF to my dear friend, Michelle!
They both are achieving such special goals!
Have a wonderful day!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Jeanie
I’m first today!
Kathy S.
Congratulations to Rapid Redux and Michelle! Wow…Michelle must have been the last person to ride Zenny. What an HONOR! Have a happy day everyone.
SHERRY D. WV.
WAY TO GO MICHELLE. CONGRATS TO THE GELDING RAPID REDUX. WAY TO GO..SHERRY D.
Jeanie
Dear Great One,
Now that I have established my status as “first” to post today, I want to take a moment to reflect on how fantastic it must have been for MICHELLE to ride YOU! The greatest female Thoroughbred of all time! WOW! She looks so PROUD to be on YOU and you look so RELAXED, like maybe you just had a massage? I’ll second you HIGH HOOF to Michelle and send you a HIGH HOOF as well for the outstanding job you are doing as a mother-in-waiting. I’m going to spend some time at Fair Grounds over Christmas so hope to see some of your racing pals over there. Take care,
Your humble J
Gloria
Great news all around, Big Mama Z. I voted for Rapid Redux for the Vox Populi award. He’s really got a nice win streak going! And as for Michelle…well, she is the bomb! It was because of Michelle I was able to go back to Barn 55 to visit with my favorite race horse! So, congrats to Michelle and best of luck in her future. I’m sure she’ll do great. Love the pic of you two, Zen! Hope you are keeping warm. It’s too cold for me and I’m in So. Cal.! Dang! I don’t like the heat but it’s tough to get out of bed when it’s so cold in the morning. Love to all of Team Z and the Big girl herself!
Diana Hanson
Congrats, Michelle! Hard work ttruly pays off. Just ask Queen Z and RR. What a great foundation to work with too. Nowdays everyone needs a shoulder to lean on and ear that will listen. Have a great day Michelle, Zen and RR!
Janine Gober
I must admit I’m terrified to be close to horses. Have had bad experiences on them. However, the minute I saw Zenyatta on a a news program, dancing her way across a paddock, I’ve been in love! Such a magnificent animal! High spirited yet gentle, she’s won my heart!
Shema
Lucky Michelle
Joanna from TX
I’ll add my Congrats to RR and Michelle! Their individual accomplishments are just wonderful.
We’ve got RAIN here in Bandera County! It won’t end the drought but it really helps!
Have a great day, everyone!
Ariel Yve
Congrats Michelle! You and the entire Z Team were incredibly kind when I stopped by for a visit with the Queen.
sharon in seattle
congrats to Rapid Redux! and high hooves to Michelle for her accomplishments. How many 1000s of us would trade places with her for a ride around the barns with Zenyatta!! Wow!
Cynthia H./Where Zenyatta Danced
CONGRATULATIONS, Michelle! Well done! Even a casual visitor to Barn 55 can easily see by your kind and caring nature, how very special you are. I am so glad that your wish to ride Our Queen was granted—-WOW! How great is that? Very best wishes and good luck in your chosen career in the future.
Lisa B - Escondido, CA
Good Morning Precious Zenny,
Congrats to Michelle and RR!! So proud of them. Good luck to all whom are taking their finals and congrats to all who have reached their goals this year. This is such a busy time of the year. Stay safe everyone and Keep on Similing… for we have ZENYATTA in our lives!! Love YOU OOOXXX
Linda/Maryland
Zenny you are such a Wonderful person (horse?)
You are so special to recognize Rapid Redux from Maryland. He has had a very unpublished career. It is really special to win, as you know that many races. You are so kind and special. Take care of your Baby Bump~!!
Love You ~!!!!!!!!!!!
nichole
i am going to school for breeding and training horses nd im working at becoming a massage practitioner for horses/ racehorses and hopefully this sporing i can take my nebcaam test :)
Robni Alexander
Congratulations Michelle…dreams can come true : ) As Zenyatta with the most beautiful heart & soul of ALL…along with her gracious team gave us the “ride of a lifetime” one which i will never forget… : ) : )
Kelly-Allentown-Pa
Congrats Michelle! Zenny was lucky to have you around! Good luck with all you do! Love you Zenyatta! ^-^
Tricia
Congratulations, Michelle, it’s great accomplishment to achieve a graduate degree while working at the same time. Good luck!
Stella Bagwell in South Texas
Dearest Zenyatta,
The picture of you and Michelle is precious. Please send my congrats to her for all her hard work and for achieving such worthwhile accomplishments.
And I send an especially high hoof to Rapid Redux for his wonderful efforts and his huge heart to win.
Hope your day is full of fun and sunshine!
Love to you and Tasty!
Stel
beknighted
Rapid Redux is definitely an iron horse….. he shows up and does a wonderful job each time…. thank you oh Queen for acknowledging his epic accomplishment. You are both UNBELIEVABLE
JAG ~ Zenny's Auntie Judy / So. CA
Hi Sweetie! How’s OUR QUEEN doing today?
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I heard one of YOUR song’s for the second time in two weeks: “SUGAR, SUGAR”! Two peeps were walking their dogs, and guess what… the doggies were “prancing” to the beat LOL ~ TOO CUTE! Are you sending me esp messages, Big Mamma?! I drove into work with a grin from ear to ear :-D :-D
~~~~~~
I’m sending big peppermint kisses to you and your beautiful, unborn baby B/Z. {{hugs}} are always included! XOXOXO
JAG ~ Zenny's Auntie Judy / So. CA
A high hoof to Michelle! Congratulations!!
Allen
Congratulations Michelle and Rapid Redux. Zenyatta you and Tasty have a great afternoon and take care of those Baby Bumps.
Linda Shull
Congrats to all!!!
LaurieK
Congrats to Michelle on the culmination of a tremendous amount of hard work!
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Congrats to Michelle on her achievement.
And RR. Owners say he will be done racing after this year.
Zenny you look almost “small”, I know you weren’t, by comparison to yesterdays photo.
A road well traveled .
PEACE & LOVE
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Congratulations, Michelle! High hoof!
@Barbara Wood—Thank you for the heads up at the end of #395 about the rescue of starving donkeys and minis being undertaken by the Panhandle Equine Rescue in FL. I have followed your lead and sent a donation. ’Tis the season of giving, and it is more blessed to give than receive…
http://www.panhandleequinerescue.org
@Jeanie—Number One! Well done!
JAG ~ Zenny's Auntie Judy / So. CA
Tyler Baze still suspended, has not entered rehab
http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-tyler-baze-still-suspended-has-not-entered-rehab
Prayers for this young man are needed!
Shannon from Cool
YOU are the luckiest horse on the planet!
Dallas from Texas
Good morning baby girl, wow I can only imagine what it would be like to be on your back. What an honor that must be. You have the most wonderful day, love ya baby girl.