HAPPY DECEMBER 24TH TO ALL,
In honor of this wonderful time of the year, I wanted to share with you the new ZENYATTA LOUNGE for WOMEN. It was created for the women who work and live on the backside. It opened at Santa Anita last Sunday at 11. For years, we have had a wonderful REC ROOM for everyone to use…but the women never really had a place where they could just relax and visit. Thus, the thought was to give them a safe place where they could go and watch TV and movies, read, sew, use computer skills and in general just have fun and be themselves!
The hope is that they will make new friends and share experiences with them…and in general
just FEEL GOOD!
Santa Anita was very generous in dedicating the space for the Lounge with its’ own private entrance. Aase Headley and Haydee Vienna worked very hard on this project and coordinated everything with Dottie. My wonderful owners also helped to make this happen by donating the funds to help furnish and purchase all of the wonderful decor, TV, sewing machine, and computer items for this space. On one wall, there are photos of ME…and then the opposite wall is reserved for the Ladies to put up photos of themselves with their favorite horses. We really want this to be a GREAT SPACE for these hard-working women to enjoy themselves, relax, and share time with friends.
It was so sweet! When we had the grand opening Sunday, Beatriz G. (who is going to start doing hair and nails etc. in the backside SALON at Santa Anita) offered every single woman who attended a FREE FACIAL! What a generous thing to do!
Then the ladies wanted to have a holiday gift exchange. Names were drawn…and the fun started! Yesterday was the day of the gift exchange. Probably 30-40 women participated. The ladies had a fabulous time. They were all discussing their great facials from Beatriz…snacking on cookies and sodas, and celebrating the gift exchange. It was really a very special get-together. An overall festive time was had by all!
The ladies are also doing a terrific job keeping the Lounge neat, clean and in great shape. From all reports…THIS IS A HUGE SUCCESS AND VERY APPRECIATED!
In the future, we are looking to incorporate a “NIGHT OUT”…once a month…and a type of ‘BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION’ for all women who have a birthday that particular month. Additionally, we are trying to get some extra ‘classes’ offered of various types depending upon what is of interest to them! We are so excited.
In life, it is fun to help others and try and make a difference! It is also a very comforting feeling to BELONG to something and BE A PART OF IT and then share those experiences with others! It is our hope that this LOUNGE and the activities offered will help to do that. We want to encourage all who enjoy it to really feel good about themselves and the many things they can experience with their friends on the backside.
Relationships are important…friends are so special…and to offer the opportunity for these women to add more of these elements into their daily lives is one of our true wishes.
I’ll keep you posted. What a FUN WAY to celebrate the season…the opening of the ZENYATTA LOUNGE. THE HOPE IS TO HAVE THESE WARM AND SPECIAL FEELINGS LAST ALL YEAR LONG!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
With love,
HUGS TO ALL~
Z
Jennifer
Oh wow!! Like Carolyn Caswell-Brown, I have been a little down today and not in the spirit until I read today’s post and saw the picture. How awesome are Jerry and Ann to finance this and Dottie to execute it!! Thank you for showing the true Christmas spirit. Can a fund in Zenyatta’s name be established for projects like this? Loved Jacque’s card. I let my horses out today to roll in the snow and run and buck around the house. They were delighted and had carrots and Christmas candy for a Christmas eve treat. Thank you everyone for a brighter day!
Peggy
Wouldn’t it be nice if someone who was an excellent seamstress came in and taught the girls how to sew helmet covers and colors and make blinkers? They could very well have a little business and make a little money with that sewing machine! Just a thought……
vicky
I don’t generally post, as there as so many posts here, but thank you so much Dottie, for continuing to do this. For all the posts there are here, please know that there are many, many more people simply reading, and also appreciating what you have done, and are doing.
Barbara Wood
Lovely Z–It may be past your bewdtime in Kentucky, but I just want to whisper that it’s a lovely thing you and your team have done at Santa Anita. I know the ladies will love having a place of their own for some much-needed “down time”. A perfect Christmas gift of love. I hope they will speak of you often.
Sleep well, dear girl. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
It’s very cold here in central Texas as well.
Bonnie MacRaith
I support whatever we can do to elevate the status of women, especially the hard working women at the backside. Thanks to Ann Moss and Dottie and Zenyatta for making this a reality!
Many Blessings and Happy Christmas Everybody!
Leslie
Hi Zenny, Team Z is amazing! That really is the spirit of Christmas. Thanks for making so many women happy!
Merry Christmas Zenny and to your family!
Love you,
Leslie
Catherine Uher
Merry Christmas Zenyatta, the Moss’s, Shirreff’s, Mario and Carmen, Steve, Mike, your entire Barn 55 team, your new family at Lane’s End, and to Life is Sweet and all of your new barn mates at LE! I love this idea of giving back to these very deserving women! I’m sure they are already hanging more pictures of you everywhere! I think it would be a great thing for other owner’s to think about doing at other race tracks for their employees who work so hard! Hopefully this idea will catch on! I’m not surprised at all by the generousity of Ann and Jerry, and of course, yourself in this incredible act of kindness and giving you have shown! It’s just like you… you just keep on giving! I hope that Santa brings you and all your new friends at Lane’s End a bunch of treats! I love you so much sweet girl! Merry Christmas!
Mary Stanford
Merry Christmas Zenyatta and the Zenyatta Team!! What a nice thing to do for the ladies with the lounge. God Bless You All!
Reb
Wonderful to recognize the power of the female :).
Melissa
We fans rarely get to see or hear of the women in the backside. They work long and hard and this is a great tribute to them. The Moss’s and Dottie have stepped up to show them how much they are appreciated. Merry Christmas
Anita
Zen, you and your connections continue to give and to inspire all of us. Zenyatta Lounge is a wonderful testament to you. Merry Christmas, Zenny. I love you.
S
What a wonderful group of humans surround you Z! They have loved and cared for you, shared you with us, allowed us access and continue to give! You are a lucky girl
Carolyn equineheart _
MERRY XMAS ZENNY !!! PEPPERMINT KISSES I LOVE U XXXXXXX
Lanie Johnson
What a great thing for the ladies!! Perhaps that will catch on in other places too!!
Merry Christmas Sweet Girl..I’m off to make my homemade rolls to go with the Lasagna!! Family will be here at 11…did you get snow too??? Isn’t it just lovely…a White Christmas! Tell Pirate Merry Christmas from me too!! I love you and hope Santa came to the barn!!!!
stella bagwell
What a lovely, thoughtful thing to do for your friends, Queen Z, especially here at Christmas! I know the love that you and your team have for others will radiate not only through the holidays, but throughout the year. You are truly a special gift that makes everyday Christmas for your fans.
Have a beautiful day and hopefully you’ll get a visit from Santa!
Merry Christmas and many hugs,
Stel
jahlgren
That is SUCH a nice gift to the women who work in this industry. I’m sure having a private sanctuary away from the fans, horses (and sorry), men, probably goes a long way toward recharging their batteries in what has to be a long work day. Congratulations to the ladies of Santa Anita Racetrack and their ladies lounge!
Diana
Counting your blessings by being a blessing to others. Team Z, God bless you all! Wonderful!
Susan
Peppermint Kisses and Sugar Cube hugs to Zenny and crew down the road, and her wonderful team back in CA. You have all been a blessing to us throughout your amazing racing career. Thank you team Z, and a very Merry Christmas to all of you!
And Zenny- you enjoy this White Christmas xoxox
ELLEN ZEHNDER
How wonderful. A great Christmas gift for those women. You are a very giving horse, Zennie, and your connections are the best. The world is a better place because of all of you. Merry Christmas.
Meghan Coleman
More giving inspired by your being. The dapple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Zenny, you and Team Zenyatta have engendered greatness in each other, and the worlds of horse and human are the better for it. Merry Christmas to you all, and to all creatures of good will.
Smittie
Merry Christmas Z. Please wish everyone in Team Zenyatta and at Lane’s End Best Wishes and thank them from the bottom of my heart for sharing you with us. Have a wonderful day.
Robin
Merry Christmas, Queen Z and Team Z! What a treasure you all are. LOVE the Lounge for all of the women working in a world that still favors men. Cheryl is right: We will all still love and cherish Zenny forever, no matter if she gets HOTY or not. THOSE VOTERS CANNOT DEFINE US OR CONFINE US AND OUR LOVE FOR AN AMAZING HORSE!! OUR DEVOTION KEEPS EXPANDING!
Evy
What a terrific idea. Good job, Team Zenyatta. Thank you for sharing this information. Merry Christmas!
Pam Zacek,
Yeah, for Queen Z team again, that is the best Idea, I just wish I could see the new louge, and all for Women.Now that is Women Power, again, thanks Queen Z and her team…
Alene
Merry xmas gorgeous girl…What an awesome thing for the women..They truley more then deserve it. As hard as they work from morning to night. The Mosses are incredible people…What they have been lucky enough to have they know how to show appreciation and SHARE!! My beautiful girl The lounge was named after you. How awesome is that!! You also have a wall of pictures dedicated to you. You should be VERY proud.. I`m always proud of you!. As always thank you Dottie and Ann and Jerry there really is NO words to describe you both… Love to all,especially my Zenny xxxooo “Alene”
Carol
It makes my heart happy to see these ladies given a place to kick back. You have a terrific family to make this happen!
OraJean Stevenson
Dearest Queen-Z & Team-Z,
You show us all what the “Spirit of Christmas” truly means, and how to put it into action, by folowing your lead. You’re an inspiration to me, and I’m sure to many more of your fans.
May God bless you all. Have a wonderful Christmas Day, shared with family and friends. Thanks for keeping the spirit of the season alive and well !!!
Much love, OraJean
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Family is where Christmastime starts. How LARGE is this circle of LOVE created by Zenyatta & Her Family? Let’s find out. Merry Christmas, PEACE & LOVE to ALL. . . . .from North Dakota, USA
Tricia Clemmensen
It;s Christmas Day and I just want for you to have the merriest of Christmas’s you’ve ever had.
Jenna
Merry Merry Christmas, Zenyatta!
Merry Christmas to the Z Team. I hope you get tons of gifts, peppermints, carrots, and Guinness :>
Blessings all around. Have a wonderful day.