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
Jenna
I think this diary means more than just updates on Z. It’s keeping the fans of the sports continually interested. The more educated people are, the more interest they’ll have.
Good morning, Zenyatta! Good morning, Dottie!
Stella Bagwell
Dear Queen Z, I love, love this story and photo of you and Life Is Sweet. What a triumphant time for both of you! As a horse lover and owner for years, I’ve seen the deep affection that you horses have for each other and the rather mystical way you have of communicating with each other. I truly believe your social skills far supercede we humans, who are often reluctant to show our emotions. Maybe that’s why you, dear Queen, can bring out the tears in even the hardest of hearts. :)
So glad you have new friends to love and play with!
Sending love and sunshine your way.
Kisses,
Stel
Jan Mitchell
Oh gosh what a gret memory Dottie! Love to hear all the stories, memories and reflections. Congrats to Team Z for the Special Eclipse Award.
Also, I received my thank you card from Z for the Christmas present I sent…..I barn wallhanging. I’m glad you liked it.
Lovin’ your life Z.
Allen
Z it sounds like you are having a good time with all your paddock friends. Maybe one day soon you and Life Is Sweet will be in the same paddock.
cindy b
Ok. Do tell. All horses have “quirks” and things they have to have “their” way. Please have John and yourself tell us some of yours! This will likely be eye opening for those people out there NOT familiar with horses and how unique each one is!!
And thank you for “schooling” us with your Q and A. I really enjoy them. As many years as I have been around horses, even I learned a thing or two I didn’t know!
Thank you for being the special lady you are!
Dee
Look forward to these posts………… just love reading them ! ! Perhaps one day this will be compiled into a book??
Mary
Dearest Zenyatta
Its so nice to get up in the morning and grab a cup of coffee and sit down and read about your life in Kentucky and your memories as a Champion Race Horse.
I have followed your whole career and watched your 20 races, some at the track…as we have two favs and you often ran at both of them…and you won…I remember holding my breath as you were about to step on the track and you would make the pass around with the other race horses and I would always be close enough to the walking area on the rail to watch you all walk by…I would be shakin like a leaf with excitement when post time came and when the gate opened I couldn’t breath until you ran over the finish line…I would cry, yell “Zenyatta I Love You” and Thank you and Mike Smith for a safe and perfect race. I didn’t care if you took first or last I just wanted to watch you run your race and get around the track safe…you did so much for me Zenyatta, and now I can read about you every day and write to you too.
I just wanted to say you have brought so much magic to my heart and reading your diary everyday keeps the magic going.
Thank You Zenyatta…I Love You…
Big Huggs for a BIG GIRL:)
Julie Ann in O.C. CA.
Dear Zenny and Dottie, Thanks again for a great post! I, like all the others so enjoy hearing about what you’re doing. CONGRATULATIONS to you and John for being finalists for HORSE OF THE YEAR! You are a Horse of a Life Time!!! Abrazotes!
Julie Ann
Pam Zacek,
Hey Z, that is the best part of you, and your respect for your sport, great, sportsmanship, works, better, then being crazy and making to push the other horses around, that why your the Queen, and everyone respects you for your sport, now, I love the picture of the two sweet horses, together. You can also, be proud of yourself for your Horse of the year, and the trainer, John, and Dottie, when you don’t cheat your get rewards, for sure, good for you. and all of the team , now I bet alot of people, are so back into this sport who, didn’t like it or were ready to quit watching, it, doing goofy stuff, So Hold your head up High girl and enjoy your retirement,you have earned every part of it, and being a Mommy will be just another proff of the hOrse you are, and the trainer you had.
Pam Zacek,
Okay, your the best, sportmanship figure in these times, with the racing, and your the best; Like the picture, of you and the nose to nose, with the breeders blankets on, may you,keep up your good sportsmanship, thats why your the Queen, and your trainer, and all, Hores and trainer of the year. have a great day Z
lizzy
@ Anita & Nancy:
I agree with the description of Z being a “passive leader.” I’ve never mistaken her gentleness and patience with us mere mortals as nothing more than a reflection of her high intelligence. If you go back and study some youtube videos of her taking pictures with visitors, you can see how deliberate her stillness is when others are near her. It’s a ‘knowing’ that she is blessed with and that (imho) has attributed to her greatness on the track.
I’ve read interviews where MIke mentioned how Z would turn her head to get eye contact with horses she passed and how he visibly could see the other horse pretty much resigned to defeat. I think this is what makes her so special and what many of her fans sense about her, her awareness with her surroundings, wanting to win(not just run), I truly believed what we witnessed with Z is a horse who wanted to race. What I’ve found (and learned) through reading interviews with Steve and John is how much consideration they took in not breaking her spirit while teaching her.
I just love this horse and everything she represents that is good about the people who have cared for her. I suspect her new ‘friends’ also feel that specialness about her too. :)
dan
Dear Zenny,
How are Puff & Winston doing without you @ Barn 55? Does Dottie have any pics of the 3 of you together? If so please ask her to post.
Thanks,
Dan
Louise Bland
Ohh, Zanyatta, you look wonderful standing there with your friend in your blanket from the “Breeders Cup.” — I’ll have to admit, it’s wonderful, but you actually won this last “Breeders Cup.” as well! That will always bother me—just held back a couple of seconds too long. You passed everything when you were turned loose. I’m trying to get over it, but tears still come when I think about it.
Love and hugs back.
Trisha Veazey
You make my day
Love hugs and kisses sweet girl
Evy
Just can’t tell you how cool your comments are. Thank you and Dottie a million times. You guys are the BEST!
Melinda
Thanks so much for sharing those personal moments. Every detail you are willing to share is appreciated by your fans. it keeps us close to you and allows us to view you not only as a great competitor and athlete, but a supportive competitor with an appreciation for the competitiveness of her fellow stall mates. It’s both humbling and heartfelt.
Kathryn Cogswell
Barbara Wood says: “This site is a very soft place to land after a hard or stressful day,” and wishing extra cushions for Catherine. A Promise: ‘.. . if there be any virtue, or praise, think on these, and . .. peace will be with you.’ ~ Khc.
Sally
Z; I forgot to ask a question. I have been trying to get to your facebook through your web site. I google Zenyatta.com but I do not see at the right hand side of page where I can click on facebook page. I guess you can tell I am not really computer savvy. Have a beautiful and fun day Z. Love & kisses
Linda Deutsch
What a heartwarming post this is….thank you Dottie and staff. A…..you are truly THE MOST amazing creature and we humans could sure take lessons from your outlook on life and the way we interact with others. Your kindness and grace are beyond words. THANK YOU.
Jan Doyle
Zenyatta, I love this photo of you and Life Is Sweet. Somehow I like to think that she may know or feel that you are close. I hope that we can at least see pictures of you seeing her again. Dottie, I never had a chance to visit Barn55 and meet the Z team, but hope to still come one day. So excited about Eblouissante going to be there. Just wanted to let everyone know that LE told me it will be afer July 4th before Zenny can have visitors,hope this helps with vacation plans. Catherine I so have you in my prayers and I know everyone else will to. John, you are the Trainer of the Year, we all know that already. Love and Hugs to all
Sally (B)
Oh Z, I feel so foolish. I asked a question a few minutes ago. I tried one more time on this diary post to get to your facebook.(All I had to do was move the page to the left and there it was!!) So much for old age!! I loved the pictures and videos!! I may be older but my heart is young and is full of love for you Z!! kisses
z4ever
Dear Z & Z team– Thanks so much for sharing your insights and memories so graciously!
Rosanne Glynn
Couldn’t find a better name for a good friend because Life IS Sweet Zenyatta, because of you and Dottie. I read your post every day and my day isn’t complete until I do. You are so inspiring with your sweet personality and a love for man kind. I love you more than you will ever know. :) kisses and hugs…xooxoxxo
Marilyn
Thank you, Dottie, for continuing to share stories, photos and videos so that we know more about Zenyatta. It is a highpoint of my day to read the newest diary entry. They’re inspirational and educational and we feel as if we’re sharing in some of the life of the incredible Zenyatta and her loving family.
Di
Such a sweet picture!
Linda (Canada)
BC 2009 must have been one of John and Dottie’s best days EVER – Life is Sweet winning the Ladies Classic and YOU winning THE Classic…..how could life get better than that? What a party they must have had at Barn 55 THAT day! You and all of Team Z have been honored by a Special Eclipse Award, I read yesterday. Great news!………..much deserved.
ame
How cute! They are BFFs!!!
Cheryl Smith
Great Picture! Zenyatta, you are so special and are an inspiration to so many. It is great to see you looking content with your new life.
Congrats to both you and John for your nominations! No matter what happens, you are the Horse of a Lifetime (YEAR, DECADE)!!! You are the Horse of everyone’w HEART!!! Thanks to the Moss’s, John, Dottie and now Lane’e End for letting us experience you! Everyone is so generous and gracious which is one of the so many reasons that people love you. You inspire us all. You are pure grace, and beauty! I wish for you much more happiness! You and everyone that is part of your life deserve the best!!!!!!
DEBBIE GUSTAFSON
WOW,,ZEN, WHAT A LUCKY GIRL,,,,,YOU AND LIFE IS SWEET ARE SO CUTE IN THAT PIC,,,WHAT A MMOMENT TO RMEMBER,,YOU HAVE SUCH GOOD BUDS!!!! ENJOY, HAVE PEACE, AND DANCE GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MISS THOSE DANCES…..WHAT BEAUTY, WHAT GRACE, QUEEN OF ALL QUEENS YOU SHALL ALWAYS BE,,,,
cheryl
Please Dottie, don’t stop these great posts!! All of us appreciate you and we love to hear from Zenyatta. I stood at the paddock for 5 hours on Apple Blossom 2010 to make sure I would see you up close. This is something I will never forget. The track here at Oaklawn opens next Friday. On Monday they will give away Zenyatta bobble-heads, my husband and I will be in line to make sure I get one to add to my shrine of you. I love you and all your staff, thanks again!!!!