Today is a day of great adventure for me! I have been introduced to 2 more paddock friends…ALYS and SEA GULL! So now there are 4 of us who go out and play together. We get along very well. It is all working out splendidly!
Judy asked the other day if I FELT LIKE AN ALPHA HORSE—WHEN IN THE HERD WITH OTHERS. I spoke with John about this as he knows my behavior so well. John said NO…not really! He did not see ‘dominating personality traits’ in me while at the barn. I have always been a very mellow horse with a sweet nature. I do like to be ‘in charge’ of certain things…but I am not at all pushy and I am very kind to my peers!
Truthfully, I have always enjoyed having other horses around me…grazing and visiting with them. Now we get to ‘hang out together’ which is so much fun. While at Barn 55…I worked hard to be a very positive influence on the other horses. I was always striving to set a good example for them as a mentor, a teacher, and most importantly as a friend.
I always did LOVE to compete…and truly enjoyed the competition aspect of my SPORT. However, even when I was in a race, I never pushed others around, bounced into them, or tried to bother them in any manner. I always wanted to show respect to my opposition and support the effort each horse was putting into his or her career. Being an athlete is a great deal of hard work…and I never felt anything but admiration for my fellow horses.
In 2009, when LIFE IS SWEET won the BREEDERS’ CUP LADIES CLASSIC…I was there rooting her on every step of the way. When she returned to the barn after winning and cooling out, WE LITERALLY TOUCHED NOSES WITH JOY as she walked by me to enter her stall for the evening! I was SO PROUD OF HER, my friend, and what she had accomplished! It was our way of saying YIPPEE to each other…or doing a HORSE HIGH-FIVE! Also, at that exact moment when we did touch noses, I felt in some way she was passing the torch of encouragement on to me to win my race the next day. As you know, I DID!
To this day, Dottie feels this unique moment…observing the bonding between LIFE IS SWEET and MYSELF……is one of her most cherished memories. It was not captured on camera…but she says it will be in her thoughts and heart FOREVER!
Please enjoy your day! Mine is off to a fabulous start!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
Lanie
Thanks for sharing that memory…I can just “see” the two of you high fiving it! That would have been a really special moment!! So glad you are together…friends, in the end, are what count the most!! I’ve decded I’m waiting til I see you to give you your gift! I’m afraid if I send it it will jinx my chances for coming there to visit!! I’m not getting any younger..I just want to see you more than anything I can think of..just have to keep hoping.
You just look great and news of your Dad was good to hear!
I love you. I miss you out there on that track but am so happy for you! Racing will never be the same to me..I just keep seeing you there…can’t help it.
Loving you Sweet Girl…here..under the moon over KY!!
Kbuckeye
Aww, Zenyatta……loved hearing about you and your BFF Life Is Sweet. Now I’m curious……LIS always loved her sleep…..is she still a sleepy head?
Sheri
Aw thats so sweet about you and Life is Sweet! She ust be your best bud! Did you get horse of the year? I thought it was announced today. You rightfully deserve it while Blame can get older horse, like you did last year! You definately deserve it this year and I would vote for you if I could! Love you Zenyatta and I’m glad you’ve settled in well to your new place! :D
Karey
Dottie, May I be one of your ‘paddock buddies’? You have everything a person could want in a friend. Your insights and interpretations are very clear and loving. You are level-headed, loyal, generous, smart, mellow, and kind. You overlook bumps in the road, look at the positive, and lead others in that direction. Yup, you are my kind of friend.
Thank you for befriending us, the friendly fans of Zenyatta. I believe many of us are now fans of Dottie, too! P.S. For purposes of this blog, I think the name Zendotti is really cute.
Linda / NJ
Hi Zenny: So good to hear from you. What a nice picture of you and Life is Sweet. You both look so cute in your miniskirts!!! I can tell even though you are enjoying your new friends in KY, you fondly think back to your time spent at Barn 55. I am sure that John considers himself very fortunate to have had 2 champions at his barn in the same year. What a thrill that must have been. Such exciting and great times you all had. I read yesterday that your little sister is now with John at Barn 55. Is that true? Take care. Love, Linda
Sharon
Zendotti !!! Zentucky!!! I love it! Can’t wait to visit LE and see your new digs, Zenyatta. I saw an awesome 15 minute video collage of you that was posted on FB today. The music was Thanks for the Memories (still makes me cry remembering your walk back to Barn 55 after the HP party) and Dancing Queen – perfect!!
Sheri
Hey Z, I was just wondering. Do you still get exercised or are you a just stable and pasture horse now? I was just curious. Love you! :D
Sharon in Ohio
Z this post has really touched my heart. ! How wonderful to see things through your big beautiful eyes…thank you for giving us that chance! You and Life is Sweet, look stunning in your picture together! Thanks so very very much for sharing it with us. Yes, of course you have the most lovable nature ever and we love everything about you! We knew that you would never be anything but a lady with the other horses. You really are all Miss Personality. and have wonderful social skills !! Much love to you Zenny!,
Paula Higgins
A great photo!!! Love the “touching noses” story. A sweet one. This blog/posts should be required reading for all kids (and many adults). Very informative and also some good life lessons. ITA that we are all now “friends of Dottie” as well.
Yvonne and Maurice Kirby
Hi Zenyatta. What a beautiful picture of you and Life is Sweet. Life is Sweet’s victory in the Ladies Classic and yours in the Classic was just awesome. I have watched the races numerous times and still get goose bumps especially watching you win the Classic – I still cry with joy. Alys and Sea Gull sound terrific and I know they look up to you as a mentor and a trusted friend. Love you so. I am going to go onto Facebook, Wall feature to watch the video. Love you.
Hilltophorsewoman No Cal
Dear everyone! This is the best way to wind down in the evening! I feel like I’m sitting around chatting with a bunch of Zenyatta-horse lovers. Catherine, my heart goes out to you and you are in my prayers! Congratulations to Team Zenyatta for the Eclipse Award! You all so deserve it! I too, hope that it is “not in place of”. The picture of Z and Life is Sweet says so much. My first horse, 55 years ago, was a mustang fresh off of the Eastern Oregon desert. We paid $100 for him. I had to learn how to ride bareback as we couldn’t afford a saddle. I ended up on the ground at least once a day but I loved that horse more than life and he was my constant companion for years. I learned the way of horses from him. I read Dottie writing for Zenyatta, and John’s thoughts on the Alpha mare. They know the way of horses! It is magic.
Peggy
Hey Zenyatte: What a beautiful picture that is of you beautiful girls. Zen I wanted to ask a favor. I know this has been asked just a few days ago, but if possible could you please ask Lane’ End if they let us come and visit you, and I so hope they do, Could they announce when ahead of time so those of us that need to make travel plans and vacation time from work would have time to work it out. If I am remembering correctly I don’t believe Lane’s End allows visits during Breeding Season that would mean possible Summer or Fall You think???????? Anyway any help you could give us would be very appreciated. Wanted to ask another question have you heard any talk around the barns from maybe your girlfriens or does anyone out here know………Has anyone heard how the great Storm Cat is doing, I know he is retired from Breeding, but I was just wondering How’s his health, is he still at Overbrook Farm? Just in general was wondering how he’s doing You don’t hear much about him anymore. I think he may be around 28 now, hope he’s fine. If anyone knows give a shoutout. Hope you have a wonderful night Zen sweet dreams. Love, Peggy
Debbi M
Ya know, I used to watch Another World (a soap opera) and then As The World Turns (another soap opera), but reading about Zenny’s World is turning out to be much more addictive than my former soaps!!! You and Dottie do awesome work! Thanks for sharing the world thru your eyes, Queen Z (& Co.)
Sunny Boyd
Good Evening, Zetty,
well, I’ve been doing some reading about you,
tales of wilder days from your exercise rider , Steve. You were really sthg, oh,yeah. He said you were quite the wild one, oh yeah, bucking him, almost to the rim of the roof with your hind hooves. But you couldn’t shake him, even though you threw a few riders off back in the days when. Ha Ha
What a surprise to read that, my, how team Z, has polished you to the Grand Racing Mare that you are now. I’m glad they got the award!!!:) You really are a show stopper, what a beautiful horse and with all those whiskers. Love your chin whiskers, you have more whiskers than my cats. Ha
Sleep tight, sweet dreams of carrots for you.
Deneen
Z – Love your picture with Life is Sweet! What a beautiful memory! I am so happy you are making new friends. Congrats to John for being nominated Trainer of the Year, and Team Z for receiving the Special Eclipse Award. We are all rooting for you to receive the Horse of the Year Award. Let’s keep those positive vibes flowing in every direction!!! Dottie, thank you so much for all the wonderful posts — I look forward to them each and every day and treasure them so. Blessings to all!!!!!
Linda B
Night Zen,
Been doing some reading and looking at pictures of your blood line AMAZING…But dear girl You got the LEGS…WOW Night
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, What a great post! I love hearing about you and Life Is Sweet. What a great moment I know that was to see you & her touch noses. Thanks for sharing! Great picture of your Champion Blankets together! I am glad to know your group number is increasing in the paddock. It must be a site to behold to see 4 beautiful racehorses together relaxing. Thanks Dottie for the wonderful posts! I love you, Zenyatta. Hugs & Kisses from Alabama with Love, Amanda
Robin
Good evening Zenny!! What a great photo of you and your pal. Such pretty girls!! Sounds like u had a great day!! Missing you in Cali big girl!! Stay safe and warm! MUAH!! XOXO
Marion
Thank you so much for sharing all your great moments with all of us people, I am learning more and more from you daily.I will have my first riding lesson after a big horse spill on this coming saturday.I just have to try it again …life is boring without horses.
Love and a big hug
Barbara Wood
Forgot to mention–prayers for Catherine Uher. This site is a very soft place to land after a hard or stressful day. Love you always, Z, for you inspiration to inspire in everyone you meet.
Michelle
I love these posts they are so sweet. I love both of you girls and watched both of you race. No matter what the outcome of the Eclipse awards is most of us know who the real Horse of the Year, Trainer of the Year and Owners of the Year are. This Team is the “model” of what all teams should be.
Unfortunately, I saw a sad story on the Bloodhorse website today. There is a HORSE IN NEED of a home. He has injuries that were not treated and needed medical attention. He dropped through the Claiming ranks like so many do. He is currently at New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program in KY. Please check out the website and help if you can. His name is Hotstufanthensome and the contact info to donate funds or help find a home is anna@horseadoption.com . I just wanted my fellow horse lovers to know about this horse in need.
Pamela J Hebert
Zenyatta what a lovely post this was today. Dottie thank you for so eloquently showing us her fans through words what a lovely personality Z has. You have a gift of communicating with animals. Thank you so I was very moved by today’s post. What a gift from above you have been to all of us Z. I’m so glad you have more friends to spend time with. I have enjoyed the videos of Life Is Sweet & hope that some day you two pals can be reunited. I loved Sophie’s smiling little face on facebook(what a great shot). What a great way to end my day as I always do reading your thoughts. Good night.
Rita Boucher
After a very long, hard day, this was exactly what I needed to read. So very touching. My eyes are misty, only because of the joy you bring to me.
Kathi Bacon
Dearest Queen, beautiful Zenyatta. I have tried so very hard to meet you in person. I bought tickets for the Breeders Cup. I got real sick and couldn’t come. I was heartbroken and so sad! Then I thought I had one last chance when you came to Keeneland. Again I was unable to get there. I am not giving up! I will talk to Lane’s End Farm and see if something can be worked out if it is okay with your connections. I love you sooo much! You will be receiving a special delivery soon. The mailman will bring you a large package with a surprise in it from me. It should arrive there in just a few days. I promise you, you will love what is in the box! If only there was a way I could find out if you really do love them. I want to treat you from time to time. Only the best for our magnificent, smart,loving Zenyatta. Much love & kisses too. Hope to give you hugs in person someday. Now & Always, Kathi Bacon
sue w
Love that pictue of two girlfriends just chillin with the master! Congrats to John for his nomination as trainer of the year! Big girl, I swear, if YOU and he don’t get recognized this year it will be a travesty.
I’m not giving up hope…BUT if it doesn’t happen Zenny and the entire team will always be number 1 to all of us.
maryann
Oh my, Z what a special girl you are. So happy you are making more friends. You just do my heart so good. I got a t-shirt with your picture on it for a friend of mine. You are just soooooo beautiful.
Love you girl, have fun with your new friends. I would so much love to be able to give you a big hug
Tiffany
This post is sooo cute! I love reading them, every single one is amazing. But this one is so far my absolute FAVORITE! <3
dunie oneil
May your days be MANY and each filled with abounding JOY; you so deserve it!
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, so good to see you and life is sweet together along with your other newly found friends. I guess I will never know if you miss the raceing game but for now it looks like you are enjoying all the new things you are doing. It is always more fun with friends that you can relate with. You are such a sweet girl and I’m sure all your friends can see that in you. Fun,fun,fun, I hope you and your friends have much of it. Roll in the mud and snow as much as you can. Maybe one day they will catch you at it with a camera or video. I love you very much Zenny and think of you nite and day. I want you to be happy so I hope you take to your new life without getting bored. I guess it is hard for me to picture you enjoying your new way of life just like that. I will keep watching and wishing the best for you. I always look at you as being very special and you are the very best. Remember you are #1 in the country and probably in the world. You have the right to think different and be different. You are my dream girl, I always think of you before I go to bed and many times I dream of you. Have fun Zen, love you.
Linda Henderson
This is the sweetest diary post. Thank you so much. I love Zenyatta and have the highest regard for her team.