Good Morning,
As I mentioned to you earlier, John took some great photos of the Santa Anita Celebration on February 5th. Here is one he especially liked…Mrs. Chenery, her daughter, Kate, Ann and Dottie…all celebrating the moment!
What an honor it is to have MY ANN and DOTTIE enjoying this day and the entire experience of the Secretariat Award with Mrs. Chenery and her daughter, Kate! A moment to remember and cherish forever! I know MY TEAM will!
John also got a close photo of the trophy that has been designed for this AWARD for you to see. My Team received the first one…but it will be used from this point forward to honor the occasion. The artist is holding it.
I often think about the fact that there are LOTS of people out there doing LOTS of GREAT WORK every single day!
In this month of Valentine’s Day…I am sending a special HUG to all of you. I know sometimes things aren’t easy….and you have to really dig in to get certain things and goals accomplished…but you keep trying hard and working diligently until you get it DONE! I KNOW…I’VE HAD TO DO THIS IN MY CAREER AS WELL. In the end, one hopes the hard work and effort proves to be worth it!
So…on a personal note from ME to ALL OF YOU…KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! People do notice! I can definitely state this from my personal experiences!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
Katie Clawson
AW Z! Thank you for the hug. I needed it. The pictures are great and it looks like your team had a wonderful time! I wish I could have been there. You definitely deserved the award!! We love you Zenny, never forget that! Have a great Valentines Day!
Katie(future jockey)
Lynette Lucas
Zen – Thank you to you and Dottie for posting these photos from last Sat. From you to the whole team of Zenyatta you are the best!! I wish you a very Happy Valentines, sending you hugs and kisses from Roswell,NM!!!! Keep the posts coming girl I look forward to reading them everyday!!
Franci Nelson
Thanks for the pep talk. I’ve been putting off starting my spring cleaning. Now I think I might be inspired to start. And finish it too.
Roxanne Cook
Beautiful horse surrounded and supported by beautiful people!
Donna from Baltimore
The trophy pictured above is quite different from the one that was actually awarded – anyone know why? Just curious…..
Sharon Call
Hey, Y’all from Georgia. Has anyone heard anything about the 60 Minutes follow-up that they filmed on the day that Z was flown from CA to KY. I’ve been watching every week for this follow-up but haven’t seen anything yet. Dottie, have you heard from them yet about when they’ll show it?
dunie oneil
Remember, On Valentine’s Day and always, you are loved and always will be!
Lisa B
Thanks Precious Zenny for the pep talk. How did you know that I needed that? You are an Angel sent from Heaven. Always enjoy seeing pictures of your family and friends. Keep on sharing with us. Love YOU!! OOXX
Karey
Robbie PK, Glad you quoted Sunny’s entry from yesterday. I thought it was an excellent, if perhaps sobering, insight into the racehorse’s experience. The “control/work/anxiety/stress” involved in these creatures running their hearts out is something that has always made my own heart feel very heavy.
This blogspot is wonderfully uplifting, in many ways, for lots of lovely people. That’s why I have decided to ‘join the joy’ here (for the most part), but there are many days when I have to work at keeping my mouth shut about the other aspects of Zenyatta’s recent life. Now that these thoughts have been aired, it feels more real. To me, that’s a relief. We can now be even more thrilled that Zenyatta gets to be a horse doing natural horsey things with her pals. Forming bonds with other horses, finding the pecking order, even being a bit self-serving at times, and…drumroll… having babies. It’s all what nature had in mind, isn’t it? How heartwarming that we can now celebrate this incredibly beautiful spirit (who just happens to resemble a great horse) as she enjoys a calmer, more natural existence. Ahhhhh…
Karen Mitchell
As noted by others, your Diary Post today was perfect, just what those of us who are feeling down needed. It is important to wake up every morning and think of all the things for which we are grateful, and Zenyatta and her team embody that better than anyone I know. Thank you for this wonderful post.
ashley
Hey Z girl!! Thanks for sharing the photos!! How cool to see Mrs. Chenery and her daughter participating in the celebration! I just watched Secretariat for the 2nd or 3rd time the other night!! You truly are the female version of “Big Red”!! we love u!! <3
Barbara Wood
Hi Z–happy four-days-before-Valentine’s-Day to you. What a beautiful picture. I am sure everyone who was there will have memories to last a lifetime.
@Sharon Call– a while back, I checked on the 60-Minute update, and if I’m not mistaken, it’s not scheduled until summer. But as we know, things like that are always “subject to change”.
@Kathryn Cogswell–it was so fortunate for me that you posted that link yesterday to A. Anderson’s blog. I know you meant it for the Zenyatta article, but I also found the first article to be fascinating personally because our appendix quarter horse has those same bloodlines. Silly me–we always thought those photos of The Tetrarch in our horse’s pedigree had those spots because the photos were old. The article explains it all! Thank you SO much for posting. Of course the article on Z was very informative and worth printing.
Love you always, Z.
Jan
Zenyatta,
Thanks for the pics and daily postings. (Dottie.) Have a fun day big girl.
Barb G
So good to hear again that you care abougt us, Z…and that you know the average person out there is struggling with so much just to get by. That’s why you are the sunshine we turn to. Take good care, precious Zenyatta–we all adore you.
Barbara
Rita
great photos Z, and well deserving of you to receive such an award.
Sug
What a wonderful photo of four beautiful women….the only thing that would have enhanced it would have been them standing around you, Zenny. Then it would have been 5 beautiful girls.
Linda (Canada)
I am sure that Z loves Mike – horse are much different in a paddock envoirnment…they (especially if they are the leader, get first dibs on the food,the fence, etc…so Z’s ears were pinned as a warning to the other mares, I’m sure. Z knows her and Mike were a team – she’s a smart girl! I really don’t think she would hold the memory of some taps with the whip against him!
Z – please ask Dottie to consider writing a book about YOU, as she is such a good voice for you, and a good writer!
I have the Secretariat book by Kate Tweedy and it’s great!
I am waiting to hear about the Z pins!! :)
christine
Love Ya Zen
Just an uneducated comment. I think most domesticated animals relate to people in their lives in different ways. I know my dog looks at my Hubby ( who feeds him) in a different way then me. I set limits on him…does not like that as much.Zen is no different ..those who do not have to scold, train etc. she will be more manipulative with. Her limit setters will be treated with more distance. Could be wrong but as we work with our domesticated friends we all have our (whips ) of sort.
debbie
Z…I met Ms Chenery and her daughter at our hotel after Breeders Cup. Its great to see such devotion to this industry! Just wanted to say that it looks like our retired racehorse is headed to Canter (SoCal)….just wanted to say thank you for all that you are doing to support such a needed charity- as you know, there is “life” after racing! We continue to donate to them as well other related charities that have supported the sport!!
Thanks!!!
Leeann
Thank you for sharing these special pictures. You are awesome ! Everyday when I have to do my homework or having a bad day I think of you and I keep on going and try my best, just like you. love u and here’s a big hug from me to you!!
Sheri
Wow that award is so cool! And those pics! I love a suggestion for the name for the foal just while I’m thinking of it. “Knock on Wood” Love you Zenyatta and I think that name is a great fit! And also “Driven to Tears”… I’m sure you’ve seen it before! :D
Kim
Zenny-I’ve met Ms. Chenery several times, she’s an awesome lady.
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Zenny, Thank you for sharing the “Power Women” photo with us. Awesome that an award ceremony honoring You, Big Girl is also a tribute to these strong, intelligent woman, and the heights that can be achieved with perservance, inner strength, & conviction. . .in a so-called “man’s world”. YOU ALL ROCK!!!
Andrea from Germany
Knock on wood – what a nice name- I am so curious about your foal. Love you Zenny.
CAM
Driven to Tears is a horrible name. The prior owner of that name died in a horrific breakdown and the song itself is a depressing downer.
You’d have to be nuts to name another horse that.
RHONDA C
THANKS DOTTIE AND QUEEN ZENYATTA FOR YOUR WORDS OF ENCOUAGEMENT AND WE LOVE THE PHOTOS. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. XOXOXO
Irene Caty
I totaly agree with Jim and Linda’s remarks. I have seen Mike hug and kiss Zenny after the races. Animals in general can always sense the love of the person around them and Zenyatta had many and it is a sure thing that Mike was one of them. Mike and Zenyatta is a pair and you cant think of one without the other. I think that our girl Zen will always have her loveing heart for the vwhole Z-Team. I hope that Mike gets a chance to visit Zenyatta often. I love the picture. John always has good ones. Have a happy day Zenny. Love you much.
Shari Voltz
Zenyatta you again (with your beautiful words) made me cry. I have been through some really hard times and you do bring me up. I speak to you each morning and pray for you. I just plain love you so much. Thank you for all your beauty and giving ways. I don’t agree with some of the other fans about Mike. I do believe you love him because I think he is a really caring man. I don’t think he tries to hurt his horses. It does not seem to be in his nature. Then again I try never to see the bad in things either. I love you sweet girl. Stay warm. Hugs and Kisses from Shari in Ohio XXXOOO
Sande
hey miss z…wouldn’t it be a great idea to come up with a plan to somehow have all your fans pay like 5 bucks to watch you bring your first foal into the world and have all proceeds go to a fund for retired thoroughbreds…there are so many that need help finding a good life when their careers have come to an end
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, What wonderful photos! The trophy is absolutely beautiful. The detail is so exquisite!! I am so proud for you,Zenyatta for being recognized for your accomplishments and Team Z for the presentations that are so special. Thanks Dottie for taking the time to sharing these wonderful photos and information on Zenyatta & Team Z. I know all of you have wonderful memories of that day. As always I’m sending my love to you, Zenyatta, from Alabama with Hugs & Kisses, Amanda G.