Good Morning,
It is still chilly in KY…but I am really getting used to the weather now. Horses like cold weather and do well in it. I am beginning to get a bit of a winter coat (which means my hair is growing…a natural thing to help me feel very comfortable in this climate). My dapples are still there…which is fabulous news. P.Q. (my buddy) and I go out and graze in the paddock for hours each day now…weather permitting. We are becoming great friends and really enjoying ourselves. Life in Kentucky is very nice! I am very comfortable with my new surroundings. Also, keeping in touch with TEAM ZENYATTA back home and my CA friends is a total JOY for me! There is not one day that I do not hear from them! (THEY REALLY LOVE ME!)
Yesterday, Abigail Anderson wrote in and asked if John and Dottie had received the things she sent to them. YES, and THANK YOU SO MUCH! I would like to introduce Abigail to you. She is the woman who wrote the lovely article about ME in The Bloodhorse Magazine. Steve Haskin posted the piece for her…and it is beautifully done. I am still blushing thinking about all of the very nice things she said about ME! Abigail also contacted Steve before the 2010 Breeders’ Cup and had a special request. He sent her email to my dear John…and John granted Abigail’s wish. Abigail had a mentor and friend named Marjorie Dawn Cooper Gawley who had struggled with a terrible disease for 75% of her adult life. Marjorie’s joy during her life was dancing. She LOVED WATCHING ME…my races and my DANCING. (Marjorie was a DANCER at heart!) Thus, Marjorie’s final wish was to ‘go out dancing’. To quote Abigail…”Such was her connection to Zenyatta—in Zenny’s dance Marjorie saw what I saw: an affirmation of the power and the beauty of a living spirit, dancing out her joy.”
Abigail, who had been a life-long teacher and was closely bonded to the Quebec School System and its 2000 members, had one wish: could Zenyatta in some way run in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic in Marjorie’s memory?
WISH GRANTED! That is why you see my RACING BRIDLE in the above photo. John put MARJORIE’S name on my BROWBAND before the race…and SHE RAN right with me every step of the way in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Needless to say, this made me feel very, very special!
Abigail said at least 1500 of her teachers tuned in that day to watch me run. (“They’d like to think they accounted for a big increase in the ratings as well.”) Before the race, they all did research on me…and several teachers even taught things about me and special things Team Zenyatta had done to their students. They have continued to follow me via the internet and read my DIARY each day! How special is this!
What a complete HONOR for me to be thought of in such a way…to be allowed to help provide a TRIBUTE to this wonderful and respected woman and her memory!
As I mentioned above, the photo is of my RACING BRIDLE. It is made of English Leather and this bridle was only worn by ME. I wore it in all 20 of my races. In the mornings, I had another bridle that I used for my daily training exercises and workouts. This way John felt my equipment was always special and perfect for me.
The BROWBAND referred to above is a part of the bridle. (A bridle has 6 main parts to it. As we go along, we will discuss all 6 parts…but for today…we will focus on the browband.) The browband loops across the forehead of the horse and stops the bridle from slipping back. It should fit perfectly to the horse. It should not be too tight or too loose. If it does not fit perfectly, it can cause a horse to ‘shake its’ head’ a bit.
Please note, in some of my photos, I have a blue/white browband.(John’s stable colors!) David had this made for John to use. In most of my photos, it is brown leather. That is the one I used in MOST of my races. In many photos, you see a small space highlighted in the middle of my brown leather browband. This is where John had ‘AN ANGEL’ attached…to guide me safely home all of the time. It is next to this ANGEL…that he placed MARJORIE’S name.
What special moments and memories!
With love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
I too had read Abigail’s very well written & informaive post. The time, energy & heart she put into it is only one of the truly amazing inspirational stories. You manage to inspire & bring out the best in everyone! Speaking of that & dragging up this HOY thing as it is quickly approaching. I just read that last year 271 ballots were mailed out with 232 responses. Anyone not filling their ballot out properly had their votes disqualified. Out of ALL the track announcers, trainers, writers, T.V. analysts, owners, etc., etc., etc., 232 people determine HOY – and other categories. Ridiculous!!! I always assumed it was voted on by a LARGE group from all aspects of the racing world. We all know what they say about “assume”. Something else I’ve learned from you. Stay warm & happy.
Charlotte
What a beautiful story. I enjoy your diary posts so much. Happy New Year to you Zenyatta and of course to your wonderful team.
Cheryl Smith
What a wonderful and touching story. That is one of the reasons that you are loved by so many! You and your whole team have touched so many people. Thanks so much for allowing all of us to love you too! I am so glad that everyone in Cali keeps in constant touch with you. Please let Jerry, John, Ann, and Dottie know how much we admire them for allowing us to think of you as somehow part of our lives too! I know that God sent special angels to look over you and will continue to do so! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michelle
I really look forward to these posts and appreciate all the details. This is the highlight of my day! Thanks!
Danielle Ruysschaert
Amazing! One of these days, I will be able to read one of these Daily Diaries without getting teary eyed. It’s not that some of them are sad, it’s just the powerful spirit of all horses. I think my beautiful Mare would be saying all of the same things that Z is saying given the same circumstances. See, no horse has an Ego, that’s what makes their spirit so bright. :-))
Cheryl Heath
So sorry I got a bit carried away with my lates reply….too long.
Lisa
John and Dottie what two special people you are. I am a teacher and I think it is wonderful that you are using Zenyatta to teach people. She is an inspiration. Glad to know she is doing well. I live about 41/2 south of Lexington and I can tell you I am tired of the snow. We had our first White Christmas in 63 years. The only one in my lifetime. That was special, but I am now ready for warmer weather.
Ellen Zachary
a lovely tribute to Abigail’s friend…and what a great piece by Ms . Anderson…Zenyatta, you have been quite the “muse” for artists, writers, musicians and all kinds of people…it is a wonderful gift to give to your fans…so much inspiration…and thanks to Steve Haskin for sharing Abigail’s essay with us…have fun with PQ!! Arrrrrghhhh, let’s go to the paddock for some grazing, Z!!!
harold
well, it’s cold and snowing in calgary alberta canada today also 15 c but after once aain reading about you and friends one can be thankful for the day.love you be mama.
Judi
Godspeed Marjorie … I bet you’re dancing with the angels at this very moment. What a truly beautiful story :)
Linda Deutsch
It is a constant amazement to hear about all the human connections to Queen Z – she has inspired so many of us. Thank you AGAIN to all her connections for their grace and compassion. AND for keeping all of us (Z’s fans)aware of all these wonderful happenings. HAPPY 2011 to everyone.
Heather
Queen Z… I am a Biology teacher, and I have used you to teach about artificial selection and breeding in my high school classes. My students watch the Breeder’s Cup races and study your bloodlines. We also talk about what a great mommy you will be, and how successful your colts will be! On a side note, my horse, Monster, thinks you are a hottie… too bad he is an Appendix Quarter Horse gelding… oh well, I guess a boy can dream! ;)
Sheri
That is very sweet of you and the team Zenyatta! Running in the memory of a special fan. You really are an angel Zenyatta! And I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying yourself at your new home! :D
mary bobolis
In response to the posts regarding the Mosses selling Zenyatta, all I can say is NO WAY WLL THEY EVER DO THAT. Zenyatta is the leading female money earner in North America right now, having surpassed the great Ouiji Board who held the honor before Zenyatta. For a mere $60k investment, she has returned her value many times over. Also, the Mosses love her. No connections fly in as they did for Zenyatta being turned free for the very first time. Connections just don’t do this. They treat is as a business. One can only look back at how Rachael Alexandra was treated and observe the difference and how she was run into the ground last year. Zenyatta was never treatedlike that. The Mosses don’t need the money, as Mr. Mosss has been so successful in the record business, having discovered the Police. Mr. Moss has been so generous to Best Friends Retirement in KY, having clamed back a brother to Giacomo that he had sold for breeding. After claiming the animal back, he sent him to Best Friends with a generous donation. When Best Friends needs help, he makes a generou donation. The entire Team Zenyatta are kind souls who love their mare, so don’t even think that they would sell their beloved mare. These pople can’t be bought!!!
Cathleen
Dear Zenyatta, what a touching diary post today. I had read that you had someone’s name on your bridle for the Classic — thanks for filling in the details. I often admired your blue/white browband it’s so pretty so thanks for the back story on that. And of course, the Angel. All special animals have a special angel watching over them. I bet your’s Z, is extra special just like you. As for the article written by Abigail Anderson that Steve Haskin posted on his blog — it’s a terrific read. I encourage everyone to check it out. Thanks for another great post. Glad you are enjoying KY. As we gear up for another year of racing, I’m sure going to miss the anticipation of watching you run. Sigh. Glad you are having fun with PQ. XOXO
Darla
Just another reason you deserve HOY!! You always do special things on and off the track!! Another thing that makes you magic! Well done TEAM ZENYATTA!!
Kathleen Burnham
What a beautiful and special story!! Thank You for sharing it with us!! Hope you are having a GREAT day Zenyatta!!!!
Marion
Your are truly one lucky horse….John put a angel on your bridle to keep you save. …that is to sweet and really tells what a great love for horses he has. I wish all race trainers would be so kind to there horses.
Love you Queen Z
Jeffrey Tuck
They say a great racehorse has a big heart. Team Zenyatta is a great racing stable not because they raced a great horse, but because of the size of their heart!
Shannon
The Zenyatta story just keeps getting better and better. Thank you for this beautiful post. Post Position #43!!! :-)
Shannon
P.S. Zenyatta, I just now framing up some of your photographs to hang in my own “Zenyatta Lounge.” Love you, girl. You make my life bright.
Kathleen Marsh
An angel on your browband! You are a very blessed gift! What a lovely story—you have touched more people in your short life than most people do in a lifetime.
Paul Soto
Zenyatta has touched humans emotions and feelings like no other racing Horse in History. God Bless Her. What a wonderful story about Marjorie Dawn Cooper Gawley. :)
mary bobolis
In response to Carolyn Caswell-Brown’s post regarding HOY, there are far more voters on the east coast as on the west coast voting for HOY. Thus, the voting is highly BIASED and unfair. The east coast voters often look down at horses racing primarily on the west coast. Zenyatta has run on multiple types of surfaces-both synthetic and dirt. RA only ran on dirt and never showed up for the BC last year but got HOY. The voting process is absured. If Zen misses out again this year to Blame, who has only run on dirt surfaces, the racing industry will be doing itself a great disservice and will most likely lose alot of fans that have gotten involvedin racing due to Zenyatta.
Vicki Riechers
I had tears in my eyes and chills when I read this Diary entry. Team Zenyatta (especially you John) conintue to impress me with all your acts of kindness and how you truly shared Zenyatta and continue to share her with us. God Bless Abigail and Majorie’s memory. May God also continue to Bless Zenyatta and Team Zenyatta. Your generous spirit and love is greatly appreciated by me.
Nancy
I am so happy to have known about Zenyatta. A once in a lifetime horse, truly. With a record that will be hard to match, much less beat.
Megan
Inspiring & lovely story.Couple of tears behind this one.Another unselfish & commendable act to grant a wish like that in Majorie’s honor.How thoughtful,the things that you (& Team Z) do & that we learn of you are so larger than life.What a giver you are Zenyatta.I’m sure you are not even aware of the immense joy you bring by just being yourself,I guess that’s what makes you so special.I notice on the pic above with you and Mike the “An Angel” sign on your bridal.That is just touching,because that in truth is what you are “An Angel”.Thanks for the post Dottie.
sherry drish
great post everyone even horses can be an angel. I love my horses so much they give all their love always. ZENYATTA is loved alot by family and fans alike. love to everyone.
Megan S
What a beautiful story, Zenny! Thanks so much for teaching us about alot of these things! You’ve done our sport good.
With Love from Cali,
Megan
Andrea from Germany
Reading your dairy is always a highlight of the day to me. Love you Zenny.