Good Morning,
I have been having so much fun! I am really starting to feel like I am one very POPULAR HORSE! Thank you for writing so many nice things about me!
Yesterday, in the morning, JOHN and MARIO called. I was able to visit with them via TANGO. It was great to HEAR THEIR VOICES. In the afternoon, MY OWNERS called and we got to TANGO. I’m just getting up to speed on my “tech skills’…and being able to see and hear my friends on the phone like this is a real thrill. Technology is totally amazing to me!
Earlier today, Sarah put some footage up on my FACEBOOK page. I had some special family visitors. The children were so much fun. They also wanted to share with me that MY DADDY, STREET CRY, literally lives right by them. Their DAD works with MY DAD…and they get to see him all of the time. The whole family came to visit and brought me lots of HUGS from my DEAR DAD. Sweetly, they also told me HOW PROUD HE IS OF ME! I am so honored.
I know in the video, I am really ‘woofing’ down the carrots they brought. I’ve done this in the past…and rest assured, I do chew my food carefully. I LOVE carrots! And yes, my other friends in the barn also had lots of treats! I am quite good at sharing!
Several of you have also asked for a video of me PLAYING in the MUD. Sarah is getting here early each day and trying to get this …but I’m teasing her right now. (She is a very good sport!) Every time I see her, I jump up (covered in mud) and run right over to her! I’m sure she will figure out a clever way to surprise me soon and get video of me rolling in the mud for you…and she is trying! But for now, this is a FUN GAME I am playing with her!
When we talked about the different bandages yesterday, Cathleen asked about the ‘red’ color on some of them. Dottie included a photo above to help illustrate this for you. The red color is red chili pepper. These big white bandages are called ‘standing bandages’. They are made out of a nice cotton fabric. The primary reason for wearing them is to protect a horse’s legs while in the stall.
Thus, when I’m in my stall, moving around, laying down, sleeping, or getting up again, the intention is for these bandages to keep me from hitting, nicking, or scratching myself. Mario would dilute the red pepper so he could smear the substance on the bandages as shown in the photo. He would put just enough pepper on the fabric to keep me from ‘amusing myself by playing with them or removing them’. Doing this can be a FUN GAME FOR ME…but not Mario. In truth, I did want to cooperate and keep them on for protection! So, I’d go along with Mario’s plan and NOT touch my bandages! I was a very good girl!
At Lane’s End, they often put standing bandages on me when I am back in my stall. Again…for protection. The just want me to be totally safe.
Elena asked about Mario’s Facebook page that someone started for him. John checked it out for you…and it is under: MARIO ESPINOZA, GROOM!
WOW…just heard DON ROBINSON…who foaled and raised me…is coming to visit. It will be great to see him again! I better get ready!
Have a splendid day!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
MaryAnn
Z, Congrats to Team Z for Eclipse Award.
I sure hope with all my heart that you will get HOTY. I was heart sick when you didn’t get it last year, I felt you so deserved it.
I can’t wait to see the video of you rolling in the mud. I know it will bring tears of joy. You, by far are one classy gal.
Thanks for another post.
Z Girl, have fun.
Love you girl
Sheri
You are so funny Zenyatta, and that is one of things I love most about you! Haha! Does Lanes End have a FaceBook page? If it does I would love to become a fan! Love you Z! :D
Horse Racing Newsletter
You sound like a popular girl these days Z! Have fun!
Linda / NJ
Hello Team Z: Congratulations on receiving the Special Eclipse Award. It was through all of you and your hard work that Zenyatta could be her very best–and WOW talk about teamwork!!! Congratulations again!!! And thank you for your contributions to the sport of horse racing! What a great ride Zenyatta gave to all her fans!! Thanks for the memories!! – Linda
Sunny Boyd
Hallo You Carrot Monster,
I watched you inhale them this morning, very nice & healthy. Try some Morning Glory Muffins, they’re a rabbit’s dream.
My, you’re a regular Imelda Marcos with all those different wraps,
Sunny Boyd
Not that I want athg happen to your legs, but what is so terrible about scratching your legs? Is it dangerous for you or any horse?
Dawn Conrad
Dearest, Zenyatta. What a great post today. I so look forward to your diary and can’t wait for the next entry to come. They are always so fun and informational. Thank you and Dottie, Team Z and LE for all the time you devote to us. The video of the children was great, they looked so excited and sweet. (Loved the girls pink jackets!) I have met your proud papa, Zenny, and he sure is handsome. Just like you, he has a very good home. Everyone at Darley is great and of course the farm is absolutely beautiful. It is so wonderful that you continue to get visitors dropping by and you are burning up those Tango lines with your loved ones. They must enjoy hearing those lip kisses on the end of the line and maybe the crunch from a carrot or two. I’m sure you will have fun seeing Don, let us know how it goes. Sarah, thank you for being the interpid reporter trying to get the awesome “mud” shot. We really appreciate it. You must admit, it does sound like a fun game,at least for you Zenny. CONGRATULATIONS to Team Z on the Special Eclipse Award, I cannot express how much it is deserved. When people care enough, great things can happen and in your case what happened was historical in proportion. Zenyatta, your grace, majesty, blinding ability, kindness and heart touching beauty is one of a kind. The hard work, love and devotion you have all shown for her, the thoroughbred horse/industry and the thousands of fans is truly remarkable. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope the flame of fan involvement you have sparked will continue to glow. Some pooh, pooh fans getting up close as a petting zoo or side show mentality, but I have not seen that at all. The farms that have opened their doors have been met with the utmost respect by the hundreds of people who visit each year. People just want to participate. Some may not know exactly how to act around a horse, but they try their best to listen and learn. (I am sure you have witnessed this your self, Miss Z, time and time again.) They understand that these racecourses, farms, horseparks and retirement centers are special venues and that the horses in their care must be treated with the utmost consideration. The thoroughbred horse is the star and they are genuinely admired for all the special qualities they possess. People (young and old)leave with wonderful stories and memories that make them truly care and as I said, if people care enough great things can happen. Maybe racetracks will begin filling seats and standardize their rules for the better under one strong governing body. Maybe farms will not have to sadly keep selling off stock and land to survive. Maybe non-profits can get funding by donations to fight the abuse of horses and find a cure for laminitis. Who knows what could happen, but I love to think positively. So thank you lovely Zenyatta and Team Z for showing the way. Good night for now, sweet girl. Hugs and kisses back to you!
Laura
I’m in my 50’s and now I’m writing to a horse! But it’s the most special horse and I just want to tell her how much I enjoy reading about her and learning about what she enjoys and how she’s being taken care of. (Thanks, Lanes End and thanks to all of Zen’s team!) But I don’t mean to “diss” her by writing in the 3rd person as if she can’t read (the idea!), or as if some inspired human must be writing her posts (as if!), so to you, Zenyatta, I’d give if I could all the carrots and Guinness and mud baths and frolics in the snow you’d like! You’re the best! Stay sound and happy and thanks so much for keeping in touch with us mere mortals who love you!
Sunny Boyd
I love that one shot this morning where your whiskers were right in the light while you were havin the munchies. It’s the funniest comical, picture. Same as the one where your whiskers were covered in ice crystals. Just too funny. Thanks a lot for the up-date, always enjoy it. You sleep tight, and sweet carrot dreams for you.
Ann M
Hi sweet girl, thanks so much for being so faithful in your letters to us – and especially to Dottie for being so thoughtful and writing everyday – we love you both!
Jenna
Hi Dottie…Hi Z!
I am so very happy that when I come in the door in the evening, it’s like You’ve Got Mail! Here is the update.
I really love how you clarify and explain all the different aspects of Z and horses, in general. I love love horses and Z, but I’m not so fluent.
The small thing that Z does speaks volumes about her: ‘Every time I see her, I jump up (covered in mud) and run right over to her! ‘ Z is such a social, personable animal. She wants to be close, not far or aloof. This is why so many people (not just women!) have feelings for her.
And I’m so very happy that there is constant contact with her. If I owned her, I’d let her live in my living room if I could, I’d never want to be separated :>
Thank you so much, Dottie. Have a wonderful evening.
Nighty night, Z. Gorgeous girl.
Jan
Zenyatta,
Being Royality, are you invited to the Royal Wedding of Prince William & Kate in April.. I’m sure the other Queen would love to meet you… Lots of Love from Texas. ): I
Kimberly
Good night Queen. You truly are royalty!!! Can’t wait to see you rolling around the mud! Can’t wait to see you!!!
When can we visit??
Dolores Pshsnychniak
These Zenyatta posts just make me smile! So cute! Your people are amazing Zenyatta to keep us so informed, Thank You!!
Barbara Wood
Hi again Z–
I forgot to mention that it is wonderful that your human family won that special Eclipse award. Congratulations to everyone. But if they bypass you AGAIN, it will be a travesty and an embarrassment to the sport. We just won’t let our minds dwell on such a riciculous thought. Tuck yourself in snugly, sweetie. Talk to you tomorrow. Love you always.
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, I have been watching YouTube videos tonight and my goodness..I miss you on the track…dancing and racing. I watched your beautiful dancing and thought Queen Z is a wild thang…someone should do a video to that song, you certainly have made a million hearts sing. I watched one with such beautiful music, called ‘Along Came Zenyatta’, I cried and cried. It started with Ruffian, and ended with your beauty. Have to watch it to feel it. Some of the posts were that Ruffian would always be #1 in their hearts and then you. At your beginning, I said the same, as I fell in love wih you more and more, I felt guilty. Then I realized, I have a big heart, and you and Ruffian fit just perfectly, equally, together. The best news is you have wonderful owners/parents that care about you, not so much for Ruffian’s owners. If only there was an Ann Moss for Ruffian, I know she had a John and Dottie, Mario and Carmen, and a Mike Smith, but not an Ann Moss. I will wait patiently for the rolling in the mud video…you have fun, lots of it and tell Sarah thanks for not giving up on that video. I love you, Lady. Sweet Dreams of Carrots and Peppermints..Love and Hugs, Lisa g
Linda Henderson
I am looking forward to the “mud” video. You are too cute!
Renee
Thanks for explaining about the chili pepper. I always wondered about that. Another thing I have wondered about- did John always keep cotton in your ears?
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear ‘Zens’ HSUS & Doris Day Horse Rescue are announcing an end-run to establish their sanctuary countering plans assembled in the past few days in Las Vegas to re-establish US plants and secure the future foreign markets exporting via Mexico & Canada of American horses. ‘George Knapp of KLAS-TV 8 News NOW in Las Vegas sniffed out the plans . ..’ [] Grim, but good to know alternatives are in the air. HSUS Horse Heritage Foundation & Doris Day Animal League, esp. the Horse Rescue branch, work together. Khc.
Pepper
Congratulations to Team Zenyatta on the Special Eclipse Award you will receive at the 40th annual Eclipse Awards this month for your collaborated contribution to thoroughbred racing. I hope this is a good sign that our girl will receive a much deserved Horse of the Year Award (horse of all time for me). Thank you Zenyatta!
Danielle Ruysschaert
Z- I know this is a controversial question but I have to ask; why aren’t they (particularly Randy Moss & co.) giving you some time to just chill out before breeding you this spring? It’s not like he needs the money… I’m in the music business, I know what A&M records was worth.
I just feel that this is more about money than anything… You really deserve some time to just play…. has anyone else asked you this or talked about it?
I know you can’t answer but has there been discussions about waiting a year?
Ensign
@ LISA G,
.
What an awful thing to say about Ruffian’s owners.
.
They made a sporting decision to race a healthy and talented filly. No one could have predicted that outcome. Were they so uncaring they’d have never even bothered to try and save her.
.
I can’t begin and wouldn’t try to imagine the anguish they felt and the second guessing they did over their lifetime after her loss.
.
On a site that’s promoting appreiation & love of racehorses that was a really classless comment to make.
Jitka Bělušová
Video with children is truly beautiful, amazing to see how they feed off your kids happy and of course you have the joy of feeding into the stable bandages are a good thing that’s nice of you care so beautifully, that makes me very happy:) kisses from Czech Republic :)
Ensign
@ Danielle,
.
Assuming Zenyatta gets in foal late February, she still won’t foal until next January. That’s a full year away. In the meantime she’ll be standing in a field and eating, playing & relaxing. How much time do you figure she needs to ‘chill out’?
Lisa
Z,
Thanks so much for the idea of chili peppers. My boys want to be good also, but you know boys, they really love to play, and my wraps always become the toy. I bet not now!!! Thanks again for the info. And thanks for all the info. Dottie is great at helping you relay it to the fans.
Nancy
Dear Queen Z and her Team,
Sooo very happy all of you won the Special
Eclipse award. It was a very good political
but the read between the lines. Soooo very glad
you have been allowed to grow into such a spectacular
(Souper) awesome champion thoroughbred race horse, who is
the greatest female race horse of all time. Eclipse articles
did not mention this fact. Have a warm cozy evening
and night.
XXXXOOOO
Nancy
@Ensign
I definately agree about with your comment
to Danielle. Our Queen Z will definately be
making a great contribution to thoroughbred
pedigrees. The life of a broodmare is relaxing.
To miss out on one year might jeopardize breeding
with some very quality proven stallions.
Z enjoy
retirement, being a mom (you enjoy children so
much) and lazing around your beautiful paddock at
your beautiful home.
Jamie
I miss you Z and think of you every day. California racing isn’t the same without you. But on the other hand–I can’t wait to see your babies on the track. Love and hugs. (and lots of carrots)
Shannon
I’ll bet they miss you out there Miss Zenyatta.
Irene Caty
hey Zenyatta, you certinly attract alot of visitors. It looked like you had alot of fun with those children who knew your Dad somewhat. I am glad they did visit you. I will wait to see if they catch you in the mud rolling around. That would be funny, indeed. I am glad that you co-ordinate with barn 55 by way of tango. I will watch to see all your other interesting visitors at Lanes End. I am quite sure you will have many. Everyone loves you so as I do so you can expect visitors who will keep coming as they can. Keep happy , Zenny and we will be watching for you next epasode. Love you always.