Good Morning,
I hope you had a very nice weekend. Our weather is still ‘nice’ here in Kentucky and I am able to enjoy my time outside with my paddock friends each day. Well, I wanted to tell you about some of my other friends…back in California. This morning, Dottie was going over the update on how the “ZENYATTA LOUNGE for Women” is doing at Santa Anita. We wanted to share the progress with you.
Firstly, A BIG THANK YOU to all of the people who brought products and items to donate to the Lounge on Secretariat Award Day! These items are greatly appreciated…and the women are very thankful for your thoughtfulness.
Secondly, we are getting several different types of classes organized to help the ladies with various academic skills. Thus, as you can see in the photo above, we all have so many different things to learn in life. For us to do our best, we need to have people around us who care…and want to help us learn. In this photo, I am ‘schooling at the starting gate’. Because I was a BIG GIRL…the starting gate took quite some time for me to feel comfortable in it. I needed to learn these lessons and fortunately “the people around me took the time and patience to teach me the skills I needed to succeed.”
With the Lounge, we are trying to do the same thing….HELP PEOPLE TO LEARN things which will help to make their lives easier. We are now offering educational classes for the ladies. Sister Soledad is teaching the English Classes. We have 2 different levels offered: beginning English and then an intermediate type class. We also have an availability for some 1-1 in this area. Additionally, the Rosetta Stone Program is offered on the Lounge computer for extra practice. We are also fortunate to have Al, who does the computer tech work for Santa Anita, volunteer his time to teach COMPUTER SKILLS to the ladies. He comes out every 2 weeks and teaches a lesson….and then gives ‘homework’ and ‘follow-up’ activities for them to work on until the next lesson.
It is so special when people CARE and WANT TO HELP OTHERS. As I was fortunate to have people around we who worked to help me achieve….it is so gratifying to see others extend this helping hand. We are so fortunate!
The ZENYATTA LOUNGE also offers fun activities like BINGO (where we have pizza and sodas in addition to playing the games). The Ladies had a Valentine Exchange Get-together, and then there is the Once-A-Month…GIRLS NIGHT OUT to a restaurant. Here we celebrate the birthdays for the ladies for that month. Each birthday ‘girl’ is given a FACIAL as her gift!
Things are really moving along beautifully with the LOUNGE. It is so special to hear that these LADIES are really getting involved in LEARNING and TAKING SUCH AN INTEREST in doing all of these wonderful activities. Also, it is great to note, that they are sharing these activities with their friends….and HAVING FUN!
I am so PROUD of everyone who is helping, volunteering their time….and participating! I’d personally like to THANK EVERYONE who is striving to make the ZENYATTA LOUNGE for WOMEN a SUCCESS!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Dona
You two look like you’re giving each other advice. Like “Don’t be afraid, I’m not”. Or how about, “we get apples and carrots after this and if we do real good, there might be mints”.
Love you big girl!
Annie
Thanks for all of the exciting racing memories. You are missed.
Jenna
I just read this on isportsweb.com:
**While we are on the subject of breeding, 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta is probably going to be bred to Bernardini “some time next week” according to those at Lane’s End Farm where she currently resides.
[Go down to the middle of the page: http://isportsweb.com/2011/02/22/horse-racing-weekend-recap-the-factor-sizzles-2009-horse-of-the-year-rachel-alexandra-bred-zenyatta-next/ ]
Luvhorses
@Jenna
That information is also in Lanes End news on
Lanes End website. Lots of great info on the site about
Stallions foals Broodmares and activities.
Alexandra Bowdoin
Dear Zenyatta, I have just ordered from
TROTT USA the Equine Empowerment Pendant.
It is Beautiful. This is for my birthday
which is coming up next month. I have already bought your “Dancing again in 2010” T shirt. Trott helps retired race horses start training for a 2nd career. If
anyone is interested, here is the web site
http://trottusa.org/store.html
Paul
The Zenyatta Lounge is an excellent idea and it sounds as though many great things are being taught there. Zenyatta, it must be nice to have such a thing named after you with so many good things taking place there. I hope you benefit from it yourself.
Snoprinz
I love the idea of a ZENYATTA LOUNGE FOR WOMEN. I hope other barns/racetracks have something like this. Thanks to all the volunteers who make a difference in the lives of the ladies at the backside.
Zenny, thank you for sharing this memorable photo of you training at the starting gate. You had been patiently trained and cared for by Team Z.
Dylan
Great photo, very cute and you look like a star even back then before you made your debut and graced us with your presence. The lounge sounds great, glad to hear its coming together nicely for everyone.
Tamyatta
Oh my beauty…schoolin’ in the gate…seems like yesterday doesn’t it Zen girl? I wish it was, then we could all just be starting on the most wonderful journey of our lives. But, gotta move on…you are gonna be a momma and we are gonna keep watching all your great races on dvd and you tube forever! I know how very proud you are of the lounge. It’s just great. Always loving you!
Catherine Uher
Absolutely just like you Zenyatta to be so giving! This is wonderful news and am so happy to hear that these ladies have these opportunities to better themselves through something that YOU did! I’ve been in the hospital for the past couple of days having a catheter put in and starting dialysis, so I’m just now able to catch up on your diary posts! Love you so much sweet girl! :)
Robyn Mullhausen
Sweet, Zenyatta, you looked confident in that starting gate even as a 2 yr old. Thank God for The Mosses and John and all who recognized that your greatness could not be rushed, but nurtured. :)
Dela
I love you Z!!!!! I <3 Z! Such a cute photo!
Anna Wiley
Wow, the Zenyatta Lounge sounds really cool. I think what you’re doin’ with it sounds neat! Keep up the good work, as they say! :D
On another note, that picture is SO SWEET! Super cute! Who’se your gate buddy? :D