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
Kathy
From this counselor in Ohio, congratulations to Michelle! I know how hard you worked for this.
Darlene
Zenyatta….so glad to see the high hoof for my dear friend Michelle. I am so proud of her accomplishment working full time while getting her Master’s Degree. She will make a wonderful therapist. It was through Michelle that I first met you Z. Our horses were boarded together and all we talked about was your success. Not only is Michelle a wonderful horsewoman…she is one of the kindest, most genuine people I have ever met. A dear friend…Congratulations dear friend.
Fran Doos
Hi Z! It is very late in Kentucky-almost 1 a.m. and I know you are fast asleep! How absolutely wonderful about Michelle. That is such dedication in addition to working at barn 55. She also looked very nice riding you-what an amazing wish that came true for her. I wish her the very very best! And, wow, Rapid Redux, he is so amazing and what a great accomplishment. It doesn’t matter what level of racing, he has been just amazing! Well, night Z! xxoo!
Marshall (older girl) in NC
Lovely post, Zenny! Hope you and Tasty are enjoying these December days! Love you!
@Rapid Redux: Way to go! Congratulations on yet another win! You are the little (Iron) horse that could!
@Strike the Gold: Rest in peace beautiful boy! What an exciting Kentucky Derby you ran in 1991! Thanks for gracing the earth with your presence!
JAG ~ Zenny's Auntie Judy
The Tatling’s Swansong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrwuZYkm59U
WOW!! Bless his heart!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Good morning, Z!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
A Birthday Poem for Kim S. in Tampa, FL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kim S.
Has always been blessed
With a love for the horse.
She watched just on TV
Till one day her dad them took
To the Tampa Bay course,
And there and then
They were hooked!
They both were so glad
In person to see
Racing royalty
At Tampa Bay Downs—
Their cheers
Knew no bounds.
Indeed,
For two years
They had a weekly “date”
To see
Magnificent steeds
On the track.
Now as Kim looks back,
She treasures the memory
Of those days
Before Fate
Must needs
In gradual ways
Led their paths to separate.
Then came the incomparable Z,
And her brilliant diary.
Kim always did have a proclivity
To help small creatures in need,
Be they canine or kitty,
But now Kim on Z’s pages did see
News from our Susan in Tennessee
‘Bout her horse rescue activity—
Those posts formed a vital link
In the chain of thought
That brought
Kim to think
Of going to see
A rescue in her vicinity
Known as Equestrian Inc.
Almost in the blink
Of an eye,
Kim
Drove by
And saw an opportunity
For her to pitch in.
Soon our dear Kim
Was right in the swim
And helping out with vigor and vim.
One thing to another led
When she did see
Sweet William—
A former racing Thoroughbred,
Who used to be
Which Way Do I Go.
Soon Kim was chipping in
To sponsor him!
Now you should know
William, though sweet, has a favorite mare
For whom he does care,
And about whom he’s quite jealous
And sometimes over-zealous
In efforts to keep other males away
Who just may
Too close to her stray.
Thus it came to pass one day
That William, though in his stall,
Still all in all
Felt the need
To offer his Lacey protection
And on that was intent.
Meanwhile,
Into the barn’s center aisle
Wandered Laddie, a mini,
Who was very content
On the hay spilled there to feed.
Well, he didn’t escape detection—
William reached out
And grabbed that mini by the neck
And lifted him half into the air.
Thank goodness Kim was there!
Before the mini
Could even whinny,
Kim William’s name did shout,
And she threw her hands in the air—
Right away William put Laddie down,
Safe and sound.
Kim William did scold
For being so aggressively bold—
He by her was told
He was a “baddie”
For attacking little Laddie.
Kim had had a bad scare,
And it wasn’t good for her heart,
But Laddie for his part
Did not seem to care—
He was none the worse for wear–
And he even there
Did stay
To eat more hay!
With Kim and her daughter,
Of course,
William’s a kind though spirited horse,
Who mostly acts like he oughta—
He seems to take pride
In being a good ride
When Adrianna’s astride him—
He likes to show off
As Kim watches them then
During lessons in the round pen.
In closing I’d like to say
That to you, Kim, I my cap doff
With gratitude for all you do
Every day
For animal rescue!
May your wishes today all come true!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIM, AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
You can follow the horse rescue sagas at Equestrian Inc. —a 501(c) charity— where Kim S. volunteers at their website http://equestrianinc.org/default.aspx
Alene
Hi Zenny. Congrads. to “Rapid Redux”!!! Wonderful news about Michelle. How lucky was Michelle to have the opportunity to ride you? You also had your own masseuse. Wow, what a celebrity you are. Have a wonderful day! Lots of big hugs and kisses, Alene :-)
AngelaFromAbilene
@Terry Crow- My Abilene is Texas. Should you ever want to live a redneck joke, you are always welcome here at the “Poor Farm!” [Disclaimer- I have not always been a redneck, I married into it. Once upon a time, I was an upright walking Kentucky hardboot. Now, I prefer to think of myself as a refined redneck.]
Annie
Wow! so lucky!
Marty R / Colorado
There have been many great diary entries and this one rates up there among the best. I have noticed more younger school age posters recently and what super lessons they will learn just from this entry.
Zenyatta and Rapid Redux’s paths never crossed and he earlier broke one of her records, yet he’s referred to as a “pal” and congratulated whole heartedly. One athlete acknowledging the accomplishments of another.
Michelle’s educational accomplishments while working full time show how dedication and hard efforts can achieve the desired goal. Another life lesson.
This picture is wonderful. Zenyatta, with her ears perked, looks like she wants her and Michelle to check something out ahead.
I also offer my congratulations to RR and Michelle and my thanks for the entry and all the comments of support.
Abigail from Montreal
Hi there Zenny. Congrats to Michele — that is QUITE the ACCOMPLISHMENT. You two share lots in common, I suspect — drive, focus, stamina & sweetness! Well, today in Montreal we are getting — wait for it now — rain and it’s about 60 degrees…..all this while Arizona is buried in snow. So much for the nay-sayers on global warming trends, right? Still, we Canucks are walking around in a state of shock since this is pretty rare for us in December and many of my friends are still wearing their fall clothing …. although one does see the odd Montrealer in her new winter coat & boots — sweating!!!! This morning I opened my email to find a message posted on THE VAULT about my last article on BLACK CAVIAR. Turns out the writer is the person in the BEACH photos with her @ the end of the piece. HOW SPECIAL IS THAT!!!! Last but not least, I won’t be posting until early next week as I’m off to New York City to see WAR HORSE (the play) for my birthday (Dec. 18) with my son. I can hardly wait! Be safe, fellow Zensters, over the next few days and keep the stories and poems (TRINA!) and great links and news going. I’ll miss you all for sure. Kisses to Zenny & TT and babies-on-board.
Shari Voltzfrom Ohio
Dear Zenyatta I am sending out CONGRATULATIONS to Michele and Rapid Redux. I know how hard it is to work and get your Masters. I did that too. I felt like some of the time I was a little crazy :) I hope you stay dry today and you and Tasty enjoy warm barn time. I am sending you many Hugs and Kisses, Shari XXXOOO
@ Dawn did you see that Beautiful Mo on the cover of Blood-Horse? I love that boy :)
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
@Abigail – You lucky lady. New York at Christmas time, I love it. It brings back so many memories of visiting my brother’s and their families. Both lived a little upstate from the city for years and we would go in and take advantage of the shopping, museums, plays and marvelous decorations on display. Such great adventures together! Have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY celebration with your son and enjoy War Horse my fellow SAG girl!!!!!! Remember, mums the word!! Hugs!
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
@Shari – I know!! Isn’t he just the most handsome boy. We will be seeing him in person soon! Have a fantastic day my friend!!
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
@Kim S – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! You are one amazing lady and I admire all that you are doing for those sweeties in need. What an experience for you and your daughter to share at the horse rescue, definitely a forever memory. May your day be as lovely as you are!!! Trina’s poem is wonderful!
Pattie from South Carolina
Has anyone heard what happened to Indian Charlie? I just read that he passed away at 16 year old. That is so young for a horse.
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
@Pattie, unfortunately it seems to be true:
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/breeding-news/2011/12/15/indian-charlie-dies.aspx
Details are unavailable as yet. RIP pretty boy, you will be missed.
Especially Horses / California
Indian Charlie Loses Battle with Cancer
——
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66607/indian-charlie-loses-battle-with-cancer
Susan from Fl
So sad…RIP Indian Charlie :-( Peace & Happiness to u Z!
Jan Doyle / Texas
RIP Indian Charlie. You will be missed.
Hugs and Kisses to you Zenyatta
Jeanie
@Quarterhossgal in Nebraska!
Hi there! I would love to chat w/ you offline about some research I am doing that focuses on Arksarben. My email is jeanie_esajian@yahoo.com. Can you send me a message?
Thanks so much!
Terry Crow
@Barbara Wood-As Art Baker used to say, you asked for it. @Diana S-Drooling on calendars and such is definitely redneck. Thanks for the redneck joke contributions. @Karen Gogue-Repeating yourself is redneck. @signofthetimes-Remote drooling is redneck. @Debbie G-You will, at last, get some respect. @Rosemary McCauley-Your redneck jokes are always funny. @Marshall-We need a charter member from North Carolina. Are you interested? @Trina Nagele-Great poem about Kim S. @Kim S-Happy birthday! @AngelafromAbilene-Once you go redneck, there is no turning back.@Rosemary McCauley, Diana S and Denise in AZ, charter members of the Arizona/New Mexico chapter-You know you live in a redneck town when you are called to church services by a duck call. @Debbie G, president of Kentucky chapter-You might be a redneck if your neighbor spits grass when he talks. @Judy Berube, president of New England chapter-You might be a redneck if you ask your 10-year old son how to spell a word. @Sally B, charter member of Wisconsin chapter, soon to be joined by Sue Fredrick-You might be a redneck if your blood alcohol content has ever exceeded your I.Q. @Susan in TN and Kari Bussell-You might be a redneck if your Aunt and your Grandmother went to a funeral and had a fight over who gets to be the widow. You might be a redneck if, when you were little, your front yard got toilet papered and your mother considered it a gift from God. You might be a redneck if you grew up in a town with a population of 1000 and there were only seven last names. Will post a joke later.
Trisha
High hoofs to both. Michelle you are one lucky lady to have been able to ride our beautiful Zenyatta.
Love hugs and kisses
Cheryl Harshall
Congrats and a high hoof to Michelle and Rapid Redux both of you are high achievers! How very fortunate you were to be able to sit on the Queen and to work with her every day.
maria McLeese
Hey Michelle–I hope you never washed those jeans!!!!!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Kim S– Happy Birthday! Have you thought of nominating Equestrian, Inc. for Mike S’s charity drive? You just go on his FB page to do it. Hope you have a marvelous day, and that your weather is better then ours. I shouldn’t complain, though, after such a dry summer.
@Trina–you’ve done it again! Great going.
Marilu V.
Hi Zeny! Thanks for the info on Rapid Redux. Great achivement for Rapid Redux and her connections.
Congratulations to Michelle. You are so lucky Zeny to have someone like Michelle take care of you. I wish her the best.
So sad to hear about Indian Charlie.
Take care Zeny! Love and hugs,
Marilu
jeean
Congratulations to Rapid Reflux and Michelle! Well done to you both! Jean