Hello everyone!
What a fun day I had yesterday! The morning was playful and I was in my normal routine. Then in early afternoon…LOOK WHO CAME TO VISIT WITH ME! My dear friend and close pal, MIKIE SMITH! He flew in all the way from CA to see ME! This is so exciting.
At first, Mike went out to the paddock area to see me play and interact with my friends. He brought some great goodies for us…carrots and peppermints. I think it was fun for him to see how happy I am in my new environment!
Later in the afternoon, he walked back with me to my barn. He actually led me part of the way. As you can see here, it is just HE and I standing TALL right there in the barn area. So much fun!
I know Sarah took a bit of video of our visit. She will put it up soon on my Facebook page. You can reach this by CLICKING on the FACEBOOK ICON in the upper right hand corner of my web-site. It will take you right there…my FACEBOOK PAGE.
Oh, by the way, this is very exciting as well…as of 7 a.m. CA time this morning, I have 63,848 FRIENDS on my Facebook page. You guys are really amazing! My numbers are growing every single day! Thank you so much!
Have a special day!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
Ingrid in MA
PS – just watched the FB video – how cute you guys are together! And the song is just perfect…. made me cry,of course, but that’s nothing new! Love you, Zenny!
Jenna
I’m still thinking about the adorable video of you and Mike. I read that before music was added to the video, he told you not to bite! Ha! Fresh girl. I couldn’t get past PQ lurking in the background of the video. So cute. The ‘girls’ back off when you had your visitor. How did they know what to do? I have so many questions! I wonder if Z acts the same as she did before or if being a horse means she’s changing, pulling away. I hope not. I hope she stays social.
Well, the day is coming to a close. I hope it’s warmer in KY than it is in the deeply frozen Northeast :(
Have a great night, everyone. Thank, Dottie, for all that you do. All of your work is much appreciated.
Nighty night, Z.
Big kiss.
Lynn Blackbourn
How great to see Mike. There is nothing like the bond between horse and rider.
Mary McQuire
Need to be a little faster with the peppermints, Mike! Fun footage! Many thanks. Always looking for more footage of her in the field with her friends. I have asked a couple of times, but is Zen the alpha mare?
Dani
Sarah – thank you so much for the great video. I know it is a time consuming project so I just want to let you know how much I appreciate your taking the time to do it for us and for all the photos you’ve taken and of course for the great care you give to our Zenyatta.
Sue
You are a lucky girl. That was a nice visit. Say maybe Mike and Mario should work with Zazu. Ya never know what could happen. love ya and can’t wait to get my poster of you from last Saturday. Do you happen to have the measurements on the poster?
Snoprinz
The visit was indeed a Valentine’s gift from Mike Smith. You and Mike look good together in the photo. You two have so many great memories on the racetrack. Luv both of you. Happy VALENTINE’S Day Zenny and Mike. Is Bernardini coming over on the 14th?
Nancy McNaul Applegate
Zenny, i wish i could have been there to see your face when you first realized it was your dear Mike Smith. your heart must have done a flutter.
tony
Queen Z…you now have almost 70,000 FB friends.
It was great to see you and Mike together again.
Margaret Murphy
Oh My God!!!! It was wonderful to see Mike and Z together again. Brings back all the wonderful times I watched them working to win their races. Love you both. God Bless
Janet Cutting
Yes, Sara -thanks a bunch for the video–Zenyatta isnt a shy girl when it comes to treats!!! I was waiting for her mare friends to go over for some too. Zenyatta is definately— THE BIG BOSS GIRL!!!
Pat
I SO happy that Mike was able to come to see you Zenyatta. I think the world of both of you… Were you suprised that your guest was Mike??? I was
Michelle
I love you and I love Mike too. You are such a lucky girl to be surrounded by so much love :)
Fran
Hi Z! I had a feeling it would be Mike! I am so glad he got to see you one on one! What an exciting day you had with Mike. I love the video. You are the greatest horse ever to grace this earth. Love you Z! xxoo
Jennifer Adelman
Dear Zenyatta, Your main squeeze visited you today, how wonderful!! I can tell by the video that you love him too even though you have so many loves. He is special because he rode you to so many victories in a row. His love for you is eminent in all the photo’s…Love Mike one of the best jockeys ever!!
Megan S
Aww, you and Mike are so cute!
Judy Sims
Hi Zenny:
Great video of you and Mike. He has the most beautiful smile. I felt so bad for him after the BC race but you could tell from his demeanor after you won HOTY he felt redeemed. You two make a very striking couple – sort of like Mutt & Jeff and I mean that in a nice, fun way. Thanks Sarah for the video. We fans crave our daily Z fix and to know what is happening in her life.
Stay warm and happy lovely Zenny.
Hugs & nose kisses.
Judy 8-)
christine
Zen,
Tell Mike to wear a cap he looked cold. You are top QUEEN in that crew. It was so nice to see you both again. Night Girl
Rachel
Loved seeing you and Mike having a nice visit. I am sure he misses you. What a wonderful horse you are Z…Love you and all you have brought to racing..Thanks to everyone that keep you in our lives.
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
#80
Dear Zenyatta: Most striking to me in the exquisite video “Zenyatta: A Gift from God” were the photos of you and Mario Espinoza at Lane’s End. The line came to my mind from Isa.26:3: Peace That Surpasses All Understanding.
The subdued colors of those photos—his grey jacket, perhaps a mist in the air, your coat without the racetrack sheen, no jockey’s pink and greens, no showy flowers around you neck after your 19 wins, no shiny awards (still to come).
In one close up of your face, the lids of your eyes are half-closed; to me, your expression is one of rest (someone a while back thought that you looked sad)—an absence of that alertness you so often display, or even of friendliness shining out of your eyes, or of curiosity, or of bossy eagerness when after a carrot or peppermint sweety, least of all of racing’s competitive intent. Quiet surrounded the two of you; you seemed, Zenyatta lovely one, in a state of perfect peace.
judy berube
Dear Z,
The video of you and Mike is wonderful. We think he is really missing you. He has said many times he will never get to ride another horse like you. It looks like you were very glad to see him too. Love to all of you.
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
To J SMITH: “No wonder Mrs. C. gave the first Secretariat award to Zenyatta, the award was from one classy hard working gal to another. Thank you both for being trail blazers, and doing it in such admirable style.”
Lovely insight–thank you!
To LIZZY: Yes, Zenyatta dismissed the chestnut (if that is the right color) with a mere flick back of her ears.
harold
nice of mike to come and see you. he is a one of a kind to never forget you. the best to you both.
Alex Bowdoin
Dear Z, I am so glad Mike came to visit you, he has been busy I am sure. He truly does love you, you can see it and hear it in his voice when he speaks of you. I have the most beautiful picture of you and Mike. I am also looking forward to getting a new pic of you running free for the first time! Thank you Sarah and Dottie for these posts and videos! Zenyatta is truly special in so many ways!
Joan
Thank you so much for sharing Sarah’s video with us. It was brilliant. I loved how you went right to Mike as soon as you saw him. The love between you and your Mike is so obvious. I’m glad you had such a wonderful reunion.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
You are so gorgeous and special Zenyatta! You will always be cherished and loved. You just have a sparkle that keeps getting brighter and brighter.
Love & Blessings to you
Borntobreed
Dear Zenny,
Really loved the video of you and Mike. I noticed
When you saw him you came right over. Also Sea Gull
Turned around and your ears went back a little like
“he is all mine” “I will share him and the treats later
We have a lot to catch up on”. The only part missing
For me was for him to jump on your back and gallop around
The paddock with you holding a lead rope. I guess I
Will have to dream about that. You do love your
Carrots and peppermints.
Sweet dreams Zenyatta. Happy Valentines Day. Wishing you
The best date with your first mate. The stunning Bernardini.
@Jenna
Horses do remember everything both good and not so good
That happens to them. Remember Zenny remembered
Son Robinson at 5 years old and she had not seen him
For 4 years. Since she was a yearling.
Borntobreed
Sorry not Son Robinson. Don Robinson.
Borntobreed
@Jenna
Horse language is very subtle. She made Mike her
Own with a flick back of her ears. She wanted some
Time with him herself. I am sure she later shared him.
She has always spoken to us and her horse friend
In the same manner but just in different situations.
Quarterhossgal
What a great video, Zen and Mike, the perfect horse and jockey. Many years ago in the beginning of Mike’s career he rode at Aksarben in Omaha, Ne., he was a great jockey even then. Another one of our top riders here was Garrett Gomez. We really miss not having live racing here anymore.
Oh well, that gives me a reason to go to Churchill or Hollywood etc.
Happy Valentine’s Day Zenny, hope you receive lots of carrots from all your fans.