DEAR BARN 55 AND MY FANS,
WE DID IT!
YOU ARE TRULY MY DEAR FRIENDS! THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF MY TEAM AND HELPING ME AND SUPPORTING ME EVERY SINGLE STEP OF THE WAY!
I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD AT THIS MOMENT!
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!
WITH LOVE,
HUGS TO ALL!
Z
WWSTP
Congratulations Z. You are that tranformative horse we’ve waited through infinity for!! You clear the clouds and help us see the Mountain!! I am SO THRILLED that the industry gave you its highest honors. From here, I hope you bask happily in our love. BTW, I really think you should be able to pick who you are bred to. Your instincts are far better than humans!
Barbara Wood
Dottie, are you all ok? We miss you.
WWSTP
To Jenna: Well you are here and I’m guessing Zenyatta was a big part of that. For the pure love of horses, be here, be a voice that brings about the needed changes. Through the tragic deaths of Barbaro and Eight Belles things changed for the better. With the amazing presence of Zenyatta things changed for the better. The industry found a place for heart!! With team Z as an example of what people really want to see in this industry, things are changing. It’s the voices of US that make a difference, so join in the chorus and let’s make it better…one step at a time. The indsutry can no longer ignore that we are requiring that it be a decent caring place for horses, and that we love and respect the much deeper aspects of the horse along with what they put on the track.
jim
BAD NEWS.
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
To KATHRYN COGSWELL: Thank you for responding to my post to you. I grew up in Manhattan and rode at the now no longer existing Claremont Riding Academy. When I think back on those poor horses who lived in stalls all day and night unless they were ridden in the ring or out on the bridle path (when that was still safe enough), it hurts my heart.
There were many intervening years, mother years and graduate school years–not much opportunity to ride.
For the last 20 years I’ve lived and taught in a rural state (I’m the person who is retiring and in #33 wrote to Zenyatta about both of us retiring). For the first time, and only in the last two years, I have found the equivalent of an “old timer” though my teacher is younger than I am. For the first time I am around a herd of horses (Quarter horses).
My teacher has taught me so much about quiet listening, how to slow a horse down by exhaling one’s breath right down my spine to the horse’s spine. My earlier dressage lessons have come in handy, but this is a new way of riding. For one thing, I ride on a suede saddle pad (I have rheumatoid arthritis that has messed up my forefeet so that boots that fit are impossible to find) and in order not to fall off I have to depend only on balance.
My teacher studied with Monty Roberts, a controversial figure but I have watched his film and read his books and am convinced that he is wise–I wish in the races I’ve watched on TVG that they would use his blanket for frightened horses, rather than pulling them into the starting gate by the ear.
No one taught me this, but for some reason b/f grooming a horse I breathe into his or her nostril to share my breath–I was touched to read that the exchange of breath acquaints the horse with the human.
As I’ve participated in these postings, I’ve come to realize something of its demographics. There are a number of people very close to the horseracing industry–a world about which I know little besides what I can observe about whether a horse is treated with kindness and empathy. There are horse owners, some in dressage and breeders of racehorses or other horses. There are most probably many wonderful youngsters who ride or live amongst horses or simply love them feverishly as I did from the earliest age. Retired people who have the time to follow Zenyatta’s Diary Posts. People who have never been interested in racing or even in horses until they came across Zenyatta. Most of us are women and girls, including me although I have a boy’s nickname (a few people understandably got my gender mixed up).
I am simply a rider of horses, a feverish lover of horses, a scholar of the human/animal bond, and an advocate for the various causes that advance humane treatment of horses and other animals.
I feel humbled by the experience and knowledge of those of you who’ve lived closer to horses than I have been able to. But I also am pleased, because I’ve learned a lot. I particularly love your rhetoric (meant in the best sense). The post about Zenyatta, the human heart, the fictional and real horses, and more was masterful.
All the best–Robbie
Pattie from Pickens, SC
Congratulations Zenyatta on your Voice of the People Award. Now, I think WE the “Voice of the People” should also give an award to Penny Chenery for starting this award. She is a true Hero we all can look up to. Thank you Team Zenyatta for all you have done!! God Bless You with LOVE !!
Jenna
Bad news what?
Thank you WWSTP.
Elaine
Patricia:
http://www.drf.com/news/2010-eclipse-award-winners
You can see Team Z accepting the Horse of the Year award at this site.
Linda/Orange MA
I would love to get a copy of the poem Jerry Moss read from the calendar from Tranquility Farm. The poem was about Zenyatta. Jerry and Anne almost choked up after reading. The calenders are sold out.
Zenyatta the ( Voice of the People)
Jan Doyle
Jim, what are you referring to when you say Bad News?
Vanessa
Congratulations big Z. You are the greatest. Everytime I read of your achievements tears come into my eyes. I can’t wait to see who you are bred to. I hope it is Curlin. It will be mine and your secret. I think he is kind of cute though and his accomplishments are almost as good as yours ha ha. I can’t wait to see and hear about it. You go girl.
Kathryn Cogswell
Robbie: Years after Jackie Fulps, the horsewoman who rode as if she were having a manicure, and taught us what a pursed lip, a wrinkling eye, and a firming, pointed chin spoke, her son — a horseman who revered her — answered a story I told about coming to work for Jackie. Watching a wrangler force a terrified mare through a rushing stream, and believing nearly anyone could do better, I sought her, she invited me to ride for her and said, after the briefest trot, “You can clean stalls.” It took months, but eventually, I cared for the back barn mornings, rode in the afternoons, and her little farm dog, ‘Bear,’ raced herself ragged, keeping us in her sight from different, far sides of the place. Eventually, their old stud covered my mare, who had been thrown, tied, and left in the sun, having refused to ‘log a steer,’ because she was just too out of condition and sorely mistreated. And eventually, she was regal, youthful, and very funny. The foaling brought joy, especially because this elegant creature waited for me to check on her the evening little Chaine` was born, basically said, ‘don`t leave me to do this alone,’ and trusted me to stretch the contracted tendons of his front legs, as he lay on my lap, because she`d had a selenium imbalance — although we had watched her like a hawk, as she had never settled, and was over 20. When I reminded Lynn that Jackie had said, ‘Well, you can clean stalls,” he said, “.. . everybody comes wanting to ride: you cleaned stalls.” ~ So much respect, trust, affection and the relationship, is curried on the ground and that few understand. Mario knows, and ‘Z` shows, how it works. From the ground up, is where you win your spurs. To be honest, I never felt right wearing them; a horse feels and can flick a fly; she doesn’t need metal to move her. Balance is what they teach. Khc.
Cindy
Dottie, Zen, will you be posting anymore? I’m going thru withdrawals.
Deneen
@Patricia: The Awards ceremony can be viewed on John Shirreffs Notes from the Field – Backside 55 website, http://www.backside55.com/. Enjoy!!
Jenna
Oh and WWSTP: I’m already on it, like contacting different organizations, setting up donations, and my Senator. I’ve even got friends involved. This is the Zenyatta effect.
Celeste
After that bad news headline, I quickly checked on all the other TB news sites to see if I could determine what was going on, but I found nothing. I didn’t check facebook, but until Jim follows up on his posting, I don’t know what he was talking about. Thank you all for sharing your stories and your feelings. I too am anxious for another diary update, but trying to be patient.
Barbara Wood
The only bad news I could find was about the winter storm that closed Turfway. I’m thinking maybe Team Z is stranded in that?? I know we’re all concerned now.
Pam Graham
This site is filled with such wonderful, loving people. But, unfortunately, the entire Internet isn’t. I highly recommend not empowering virtually anonymous comments.
Queen Z and her amazing vibe rules!
Elena Erdman
Good morning Queen Z. I am just loving the feeling of you as HOY. John, you are Trainer of the Year, only you and no one else. You showed love and care to Zenyatta and now look at her happy as could be and healthy. She was always in great condition, you can tell by her dapples and her full of fun attitude, the dancing and the cotton balls in her ears. Your intellgence and caring is what got her where she is now. You always have paid full attention to the horses you train. So Congratulations to the best horse trainer. Thank you for all the pictures and information and a big kiss to Dottie for her beautiful postings and wonderful way of writing, she is so elegant and distinctive, pure class both of you. Thank you Z for all the wonderful times and I do look forward to more postings, gorgeous girl.
fredy lopez
ever though u lost the breeders cup u are still the best filly that any trainer wishes to have gosh i wish my horses can be like u zenyatta
Gary Moulton
This list was comprised by HorseChannel.com and is not in order of my favorites. The link has easy to find horse movies by the decade they were released. Of course the “Secretariat” movie is not on there yet. I recommend #9 “Dreamer” to anyone who hasn’t seen it. I’m sure the “Zenyatta” movie will be in the top 10 as soon as it is released.
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1)ALL THE PRETTY HORSES
A coming-of-age tale based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy. Young Texas rancher John Grady Cole, played by Matt Damon, gets more adventure than he can handle when he heads to Mexico after the death of his father.
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2)BLACK BEAUTY
Several versions have been created based on Anna Sewell’s classic book. Beauty tells his own story about leaving his wonderful first home and being passed through indifferent and abusive owners before finally being reunitedwith the boy he loved.
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3)THE BLACK STALLION
Based on the Walter Farley children’s book of the same name, The Black Stallion is a film about a young boy who, after surviving a shipwreck, is stranded on an island with a mysterious black horse. The pair form a powerful bond that helps them, once rescued, to race against and beat the fastest horses in the country.
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4)THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS
In this sequel to “The Black Stallion”,
Alec Ramsey travels to the Middle East to rescue his kidnapped horse.
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5)CASEY’S SHADOW
A young boy and his Quarter Horse-training father raise and train a foal that takes them all the way to the All American Quarter Horse Futurity.
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6)CHAMPIONS
This testament to the strength of the human spirit is based on the life of English steeplechase jockey Bob Champion who was stricken with cancer at the age of 31 but never wavered in his dream of winning the Grand National.
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7)DANNY
A young girl inherits a cute gray pony named Danny who is discarded by the spoiled daughter of a barn owner. She rehabilitates the pony from an injury and is eventually champion at the big show.
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8)A DAY AT THE RACES
The Marx Brothers go to the races.
Enough said.
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9)DREAMER
Cale Crane (played by young Dakota Fanning) catalyzes the rescue and rehabilitation of Sonador, a race horse with a broken leg.
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10)THE ELECTRIC HORSEMAN
In his pre-whispering days, Robert Redford starred in this story about a former rodeo cowboy who abandons the Las Vegas stage and takes off into the desert astride a former Derby winner.
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11)FLICKA
Starring country singing legend Tim McGraw, this is a story of how a young girl claims a wild horse as her own. Such gallantry proves to the girl’s father (McGraw) that she is capable of one day taking over the family ranch.
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12)HILDALGO
Set in 1890, this is the story of a Pony Express courier Mortensen) who travels to Arabia to compete with his horse,Hidalgo, in a dangerous race for a big prize.
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13)THE HORSE IN THE GRAY FLANNEL SUIT
A businessman uses a show horse ridden by his daughter as a advertising promotion for a stomach-ailment remedy.
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14)THE HORSEMASTERS
Enthusiastic equestrians work long and hard to earn British Horse Society certification.
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15)THE HORSEWHISPERER
This romance movie centers on the relationship between a workaholic mother, an injured daughter, a frightened horse and the “horse whisperer” who touches their lives.
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16)INTERNATIONAL VELVET
This is a sequel of sorts to “National Velvet.” A family tragedy brings Velvet’s niece, Sarah, to England. Sarah joins forces with a descendant of the great Pie and eventually makes the British three-day event team where she finds Olympic glory and true love.
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17)INTO THE WEST
Two gypsy boys growing up in poverty in Dublin, Ireland, are led on an adventure into the Connemara by a mysterious white horse.
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18)LADYHAWKE
While not strictly about horses, this fantasy film stars a fabulous Friesian, who became the heartthrob of many horse people when the movie was released in 1985.
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19)LET IT RIDE
A cab driver learns about a horse race that’s going to be fixed. Succumbing to the temptation, he wins big, then bets it all on a horse named Hot to Trot.
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20)THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER
An entertaining and visually stunning Australian western about a born horseman who single-handedly rounds up a herd of wild horses and pursues a rich rancher’s daughter.
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21)MIRACLE OF THE WHITE STALLIONS
During World War II, the Lipizzan Stallions of the famous Spanish Riding School were in danger of being destroyed. They are rescued by General George Patton and the U.S. Army.
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22)NATIONAL VELVET
Liz Taylor, as Velvet Brown, lives the dream we all had as children—win a horse in a lottery and turn him into a champion. In this case, young Velvet disguises herself as a boy and wins England’s famous Grand National steeplechase on her beloved Pie.
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23)PHAR LAP
This movie chronicles the life of the much-loved Australian racehorse Phar Lap, who raced to stardom in the 1930s, and the gentle groom who loved him. Despite having to carry increasing amounts of weight, the horse is unbeatable. Phar Lap’s tale ends tragically when he dies under mysterious circumstances soon after winning his most important race—the Agua Caliente Handicap in Mexico.
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24)SEABISCUIT
Based on the book by Laura Hillenbrand, this true story tells of the undersized Depression-era racehorse whose victories lifted not only the spirits of the team behind it but also those of the nation as well.
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25)SHERGAR
A true tale about the Irish Thoroughbred who was kidnapped by the IRA and never seen again.
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26)THE SILVER STALLION: KING WILD BRUMBIES
Russell Crowe plays a part in this movie about an Australian wild horse and the impact he has on a rural family.
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27)SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT
Julia Roberts stars as Grace, a Southern woman who discovers that her husband has been unfaithful. Although moderately funny, the movie makes our list for its horsey scenes. Grace’s father breeds show horses and her daughter rides.
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28)SPIRT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON
As a wild stallion travels across the frontiers of the Old West, he be friends a young human and finds true love with a mare.
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29)THE STORY OF SEABISCUIT
The 1949 film version of the unlikely champion, complete with a perfect Hollywood ending. Seabiscuit, a colt no one believes in, rises from the claiming ranks to become one of most successful racehorses of the 1930s.
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30)SYLVESTER
In search of a hefty paycheck, cowgirl Melissa Gilbert enlists a former cavalryman to help her win a prestigious three-day event with her favorite bronco.
http://www.theequinest.com/horse-movies/
Patricia
Thanks to Vicky for posting the link to the Eclipse awards….I was not able to watch Monday night & it was wonderful to see the video clip!!!
Elena Erdman
At the Eclipse awards I distinctly heard that the gold horse for HOY was only given one time before. Is that true?
Dani
Maybe there is no bad news – why else would you just post that without giving some king of details knowing it will upset everyone. Maybe just disgruntled person who is not a Zenyatta fan????
L
@Gary,
Huh interesting list, though I’m surprise “My Friend Flicka” and “Thunderhead” aren’t on the list. :(
Backside 55
Everyone, people who comment here are just like you and don’t know any more. Jim’s comment about “Bad News” is probably because he’s upset that she won. Haters gon’ hate, right?
Any important news about Zenyatta will come through official channels and not be hidden in the comments section. Worry not.
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear Everyone: E`mailed both ‘Backside 55’ & ‘FlightAware,’ since their daily coverage is of all flights, not just horse shuttles: hearing nothing. And, ‘No NEWS is GOOD,’Yes?? ~ Which of you had the presence of mind during ‘Z`s trip east to contact LEF; could you do that?? Just asking: ‘In a multitude of counselors, there is wisdom,” Right? . .. & I`m fresh out. Khc.
Linda B
ZEN ARE YOU OK?
stephanie
it would have been a horrible shame if she hadn’t won, and I’m so thankful that the horse racing community realized that.
she’s more than just HOY, she’s the horse of a lifetime, and there’s not a horse out there that deserved it more than she did.
GO ZENYATTA :-)
Phyllis
Overjoyed that Team Zenyatta got their recognition as HOY finally. Also, wish to acknowledge how the Moss family and the Shirreff family have contributed to the thoroughbred industry by bringing so much information about the industry and putting Zenyatta in the general public’s eye. This is quite an undertaking to create and maintain the web-site and the Face Book for her. Dottie has her work cut out for her for years to come as can’t imagine the public getting tired of hearing about that great mare. And – these comments come from a passionate promoter of the American Saddlebred!