Happy Saturday, Everyone!
Thank you for the kind comments about yesterday’s ‘Z SKY’ photo. I think the image of ‘Z’ DANCING in the CLOUDS is simply magical!
In the responses, quite a few of you have asked about the different charities we have in our industry. From a very early point in my career, my Team felt it was quite important for me to be philanthropic. Life often presents so many different types of challenges. This is true for people as well as my fellow horses. It is the belief of MY TEAM that when one is in a position to offer a ‘helping hoof’…one should do so! Thus, I DID!
There are MANY, MANY wonderful charities. It is such an individual thing. It all depends on what type of charitable giving is special and most meaningful to you. Please listen to your own heart on these issues!
With me, I wanted to focus on 3 different areas.
1) I wanted to work with programs which helped to RETRAIN horses leaving the racetrack and prepare them for a SECOND CAREER. A percentage of ALL of my CA purse earnings went directly to CARMA for this purpose. I also worked with CANTER and TROTT to help them with their fund raising activities through T-shirt sales, donating my shoes, halters and signed photos. Additionally, I painted MONEIGHS for Re-Run. This is to give you a few examples…but please remember there are many wonderful organizations who work towards the goal of helping horses to be retrained for a post-racing career. I have worked with several of them and will do so in the future. Daily, we owe GREAT THANKS to a large number of hard working, devoted people who strive to improve the quality of life for countless horses!
2) I also felt a need to help older horses have a dignified retirement. OLD FRIENDS is very, very special to me. My Team has worked with Michael and his staff on this project from the beginning. So many wonderful, older, class horses have found a home with Michael. Old Friends…is very dear to my heart!
3) Additionally, I felt the need to help people! I did this in several different ways. RACE FOR EDUCATION works to provide college scholarships for students who need financial assistance while trying to reach their academic goals. I donated halters and shoes to them and various Chaplaincy programs which assist backside workers. I also supported the V FOUNDATION and its’ work to fund cancer research and related programs. Breeders’ Cup, in my name, contributed $5.00 for every T-shirt, hat, and photo of mine they sold to this organization.
The Breyer Horse photo above is a sweet reminder to me of this part of my life. When originally designed, the Breyer Company sent the prototype for ‘approval’. They wanted to be sure John felt comfortable with ‘how I looked and that the model represented ME well’. Mary Lee and her daughter, Natasha, who worked with us on this project, visited the barn to assist with this evaluation.
They put my BREYER model on the grass for me to ‘check out’. HMMMM…my own MINI-ME! (Look at the expression on my face in this picture! It’s like I’m saying…what’s this???? I know this grass very well…and this is something very different here.) I really examined it, sniffed it and ultimately tried to lick it. I was very interested in investigating “ME”! I finally granted APPROVAL! They did a great job!
I am so fond of all of the aforementioned charities that I eventually decided MY proceeds from the Zenyatta Breyer Sales would be split 3 ways: CANTER, OLD FRIENDS and RACE FOR EDUCATION. I simply could not decide on one. Thus, I was hoping this project would be able to touch all 3 areas of my charitable giving equally.
One’s thoughts on different charities is such a personal choice. You can also go on-line and read about the different organizations and their mission statements. The ones mentioned above are just a few of the charities I have worked with to date. I just wanted to let you know the variety of organizations that are available for your consideration. I must say, during the past 3 years, I’ve been extremely fortunate to meet many wonderful, loving, and giving people……all trying to work to make a difference in our sport and in our lives!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Jenna
Nice interview with Mike Smith:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editorial/news/article.cgi?id=20727
Evy
Zenyatta, you and your team continue to amaze me. Your financial contributions go right along with all your other wonderful attributes. Another great organization is Thoroughbred Friends run by a generous man, Joe. It is located in Northern CA.
mlv
When I first learned of the Mosses, and of course your interest and help with Old Friends I was just elated. My sister and I were some of the first to get on board with Old Friends and it was she and I who discovered Creater in Japan. He was no longer being bred and we were worried about his future. Michael Blowen gave us permission on behalf of Old Friends to secure a deal for not only Creator but also Sunshine Forever to enable them to come home and enjoy a wonderful retirement in Kentucky. You can read all about this in the Old Friends archives on their web page.
This required many, many telephone calls to Japan in the middle of the night. Can you imagine how difficult it was when we spoke no Japanese and the people we were first dealing with spoke no english? But we were never more determined to help get these two champions home. It all worked out in the end and after almost two years of negotiating, the two beautiful stallions finally arrived in the US.
Our services are no longer needed at Old Friends but we are very proud that the very first two stallions to be returned from Japan to the US are there because of our efforts.
Keep up the great work Zenyatta. The sport needs you and the Mosses.
Mary
Dearest Zenyatta
Hello Big and Beautiful. How cute the picture of a little you and the real BIG you…You are just to amasing for words. Having coffee in the morning, reading your diary and writting you is such a nice way to start my day.
Thank you for the gifts of so many…
“ZENYATTA I LOVE YOU”
HAVE A GLORIOUS DAY MY FRIEND.
Lori K
ZENNY, WHAT A TOUCHING AND THOUGHTFUL THING TO DO FOR SO MANY HORSES AS WELL AS PEOPLE. I LOVE THE PHOTO OF YOU AND THE MINI Z. HOW CUTE. TEAM Z THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. IT IS AMAZING TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SUCH KIND, CARING, AND THOUGHTFUL PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. ANOTHER REASON THAT ZENYATTA DESERVES TO BE HORSE OF THE YEAR. WHAT ZENYATTA BRINGS ON THE TRACK AND OFF THE TRACK. ZENYATTA IS ALL HEART! I LOVE YOU Z LOVE LORI XOXO…
Pam Zacek,
Team Z , as always, you get alot of people, to go back to racing, great to know these charities, and there so perfect, Horses deserve to retire in class , and Class is team Z, from the begining, have a great day,
Gloria Jeanne
Great post-I think all the mini ‘Zenyatta’s’ are sold out. Can you guys push to have them make more. Thanks
DEBBIE GUSTAFSON
GOODMORNING,,ZENYATTA HAVE A WARM AND HAPPY DAY, MY GIRL, LOVE YOUR POSTS AND LOVE YOUR FAMILY FOR KEEPING US POSTED ON ALL THE WONDERFULL THINGS HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE,,,AGAIN THANK -YOU,,,,,,,QUEEN OF ALL QUEENS………….
OraJean Stevenson
Dearest Queen-Z & Team-Z,
You all are very special and a blessing to the sport of Horse Racing. You are an inspiration and a great model for your fans to follow. With love and appreciation, OraJean
Nancy McNaul Applegate
thank you, Zenny, for opening up your heart and giving back 10X the love and devotion you rec’d from Team Zenyatta. what you’ve rec’d, you’re sharing all around. thank you, Ann and Jerry.
Anne
Hi Zenyatta,
I want you to know, while I was in line to buy your Breyer Christmas ornament, Santa was ahead of me and guess what Breyer he was purchasing? YOUR “big” Breyer… I wish I was thinking cause I would have photographed it on my cell phone. I was so shocked… not thinking. Pretty cool, huh? He knows a great race horse when he sees one.
I enjoy your posts and hopefully they will keep coming. I am a big fan of Old Friends and the love they pour out for their wonderful group enjoying their deserved free time there. We have a new facility here in the Saratoga area called the “Bobby Frankel Division” which is a part of the KY Old Friends. It is well kept and they already have some nice “old friends” we all enjoyed while racing. You have supported a lot of great causes and it is too bad more do not follow suit. Just proves the point of how classy you really are. Of course your team Z included…as they sign the checks…ha!
Ingrid in MA
Thank you Zenyatta and Team Z for all the great charity suggestions! I think that we fans want to donate to causes that Team Z supports because it makes us feel closer to YOU! And also because they all do wonderful work,of course!! I went to a holiday party the other night (little late,but still a good time) and the money earned from the raffle ticket sales were going to go to charities that the attendees chose in the name of a loved one that had passed in the last year. I chose Old Friends, in the name of my dog Linnea, a sweet 5 yr. old yellow lab who died suddenly and unexpectedly almost a year ago. Turned out that each charity listed would get $50. A great amount,but I’m going to donate some more,just because. Thank you Zen and all of Team Z for all the wonderful things you do for horses and people all year long!
Kira
Too cute! Glad you are happy at your new home. Thanks for the updates Team Z!
Jean Moore
Beautiful Zenyatta, Love the photo of you and your mini, the expression on your face is so precious and brings such happiness and smiles. Thank you for sharing your charities with us, I surely will follow up with my giving. Seemingly, your greatness just keeps growing with each new bit of information coming from Dottie and you and I see new names continuously added to your list of fans, not just on your diary posts but also on facebook. We are so fortunate to be part of your life. SO MUCH LOVE FROM ME TO YOU.
Michael Blowen
Without Jerry, Ann, John and, especially, Dottie, Old Friends wouldn’t be able to take many of the 107 retirees we currently care for. Team Moss transcends awards. This is just one example..After Zenyattga’s 17th victory, Dottie called because Jerry was concerned about a horse they once owned named Falcon Scott (named after the British explorer, Robert Falcon Scott). They had sold this handsome stallion as a breeding prospect but subsequently discovered that he was running for a $2500 tag at Fairmount Park. We contacted Maggi Moss who claimed him for us and shipped him to Old Friends where he currently resides in a paddock near Gulch, The Wicked North, and another Moss retiree, Cherono. Of course, Jerry sent a check that covered much more than Falcon Scott’s expenes. David Ingordo was responsible for us getting our first great retiree, Ruhlmann. And, although he died on Christmas Eve 2009, he remains in our hearts. Again, Zenyatta could not have been luckier than to spend her life with Team Moss and they couldn’t have been luckier than to have her. At Old Friends, we are very fortunate that they’ve taken such great care of their horses, our horses and us. Thanks to all of her fans that have visited and we hope that when you visit Zenyatta at lane’s End you’ll come see us as well…These great athletes love company…and carrots.
Linda Henderson
I would love to have a Breyer Zenyatta to add to my Zenyatta collection. I’ll be shopping. Thank you for this diary post.
Bobbie Graser
Kudos to the owners for honoring you in such a worthwhile way. So many will benefit from their generosity. I’m so impressed.
Ellen Zachary
Hello Ms Z.,
Thank you for reminding all of your fans how important it is to remember horses after their careers on the racetrack….as you point out, there are many fantastic equine charities that we can support, and we must all help…
Janet Cutting
Hi Z and everyone: Well, its true,”it is better to give than receive” Cute pic Z and Dottie- how about telling us in a Diary post about funny bloopers at the Barn with Zenny. I bet you have a few good ones. Best to all– Janet C
Jenna
Oh..my…gosh. Mr. Blowen’s comment just blew me away. Not just Zenyatta, but Team Zenyatta is heaven sent.
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear Zens: My hometown, Tucson, Arizona, faces scrutiny this morning because of a tragedy and the loss of too many people and the compromised survival of too many others. Without explicitly describing the news, I am reflecting on my my schooling there, beginning over six decades ago: it was emphatically designed to guide us toward excellence, compassion, truth, community and, for lack of a better phrase, ‘The American Way.’ Now — while many are citing ‘vitriol’ over the airways and in politics as cause for this calamity — here, in the glow of a great race mare, we celebrate the remarkable confluence of a respected breeder of ‘honest horses;’ owners seeking the artistry in life, creativity and sport; a trainer reticent to promote himself or his superior schooling methods on a minute-by-minute basis, but letting the results speak for themselves, surrounded by loving supporters, and her riders on top of the whirlwind, striving in every facet of their lives to nurture a gangly, future beauty queen of a filly they believed would become the athlete of a lifetime, in the neighborhood of a barn, with her friends. While, with grace, this senseless new trial in the Southwest works its way toward some meaningful understanding, I hope we remember why we show up here almost daily, celebrating the beautiful life that draws us. If ‘success is 90% just showing up,’ we are fortunate to be welcome, applauding the success of an authentic achievement that seasons our lives, just because these people choose their words and work with shining purpose. For The Village, Khc.
Kristoffer Nielsen
Yes–it is a gift to have something transcendant like you, Zenyatta–and your incredible connections, to not only lift us outside of the the daily trials and tragedies of life, but also to give back to those equines and people in need. Thank you, again.
Dani
Z – Thank you so much for listing the charities that have meant so much to you. As so many people have asked for your help in selecting a charity, I think that there will be a good deal of donations made in your honor. If I might make a suggestion, another fantastic charity to consider is the MidAtlantic Horse Rescue which is also a division of Paws for Life. They have an excellent website and you can read about the horses they have rescued as well as those who have been adopted. Rick Porter and the Fox Hill Farm Team offered wristbands in honor of Eight Belles with the donations going to the rescue of horses. I know a lot of people may not have a whole to give, but remember, every little bit does help whichever charity you choose. …The photo of you and your ‘mini-you’ is great. The expression on your face is priceless. But then you have one of the most expressive faces of any horse I’ve ever seen. Intelligent, inquisitive, patient, regal – it’s all there.
cheryl
Queen Z you and your wonderful team have done much to change racing at a time when it really needed change. Thank you all of the great work. Surely worthy of HOY!
Lou from TX
Hey all…just wamted you to know that it’s snowing here in Texas. Queen Z I know you have been in the snow for a few weeks now but it’s unusal for it to snow here in Texas. Hope you are sung as a bug in a rug in your stall. It’s only 37 degrees here but the snow is sticking to everything. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday and get lots of treats. We love you so much.
Henrietta Wolfe
Zenyatta = ANGEL!!! I love you now and forever!!! You fill my heart with all your goodness….
PerkyGreen
KUDOS,KUDOS, and more KUDOS It seems your love and kindness are never ending has been a Blessing to all of those whos lives you have touched . Zenyatta horse of the year no Zenyatta horse of the decade.
Casey Phillips
I LOVE that you and the “team” give back instead of “take, take, take”. You all are a class act and should be emulated. And Zenny, you and your family are truly an inspiration
Sally (B)
Hi lovely Z!! I would have loved to have been there while you were checking out “Mini me”! (How funny) Thanks for sharing some of the charities that you have been involved with. Giving is really so far greater than receiving.
Love to you all
nancy
What a another wonderful photo love the look on your face. I was lucky enough to have Mike sign my Z model, we both had a good laugh because he signed your butt. As to charities I got the v foundation BC t shirt and cap, Ihave been a supporter of the Barabro fund and of U Penn, the other charities mention I’m awear of and have looked into them and have supported them, I also support the efforts to help our Wild Mustangs. Horses have been in my life as long as I can remmember, I do miss my horse and pony (both rip)I so hope to someday again have a horse, I would love to adopt one. Thank you Z and team Z for all your efforts you have done, I would still love to be able to get one of your paintings :) As always another wonderful post, thanks so much for everthing Dottie does on your behalf.