Good Morning, Everyone!
The BIG DAY has arrived!
Yesterday, I had my ‘mane pulled’ (groomed and thinned out) and hooves polished so I would look perfect for this ‘moment’! I rather suspected that it was getting close due to all of the attention I was getting. The vets were here during the morning checking me…to be sure my system was ready. Charles, Mike and Matt were at the barn helping me to learn some proper MAIDEN MARE Etiquette…so I would be totally prepared for this experience. MAIDEN MARE is the term used for a MARE who has never been bred before. That’s ME! All day…I had so much ATTENTION!
Then this morning at about 7:30, MY LIMO ARRIVED. A lovely SALLEE VAN was waiting outside the barn ready to take me to Darley. It is approximately a 10 minute ride to that farm from Lane’s End. Matt went with me on the van…and Charles and Michael Cline also went along. I guess it was decided that Bernie and I would be the last couple in the Darley breeding shed for this morning’s session.
Well, WE GOT RAVE REVIEWS! It all went very well. In horse terms, it was ‘one jump…and a very good cover’…meaning that everything went perfectly in our first meeting. Per the guys from my crew…”it was TEXTBOOK. ZENYATTA was unbelievably professional…especially for a maiden mare. It was all nice and easy and went PERFECTLY.” Oh, my guys…Mike, Charles, and Matt are TOO CUTE! They really love me! Blush-Blush!
I must say…Bernie was also extremely professional and very focused on his job! WE MAKE A GREAT COUPLE!
By 8:30…I was back in my LIMO with Matt going home to LANE’S END!
What a morning! Life has so many different kinds of experiences for one to explore and appreciate when the time is right for them to happen! Hooves crossed…..that this day, February 23rd, becomes VERY SPECIAL for me and my new role as a MOM!
I’ll keep you posted as we go along! I am so excited!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~(including Bernie!)
Z
Adele Williams
This was an exciting day for you & Bernie Zen ,you can relax now & wait for the good news. Take care & I wish you A healthy foal in 14 to 16 days. You have many fans cheering for you.
Katie Clawson
Yay!!! I’m so happy Zenny!! You are going to be a MOM!! :D :D You are such an angel.
I love you sweetie! Katie(future jockey)
Cathy
Great News Zenyatta & Bernie congrats!!!! Can’t wait to see the little Zendini!!!!!!
Mary Stanford
Wow….Z…you are so intelligent…I do not think there is anything you cannot do well…you are so special…and all of us fans love you so much!!! It is so much fun to hear about you ….thanks to Dottie for also being so special. You two together are quite the team. I am glad it went well with Bernie..now back to the farm…your friends….and enjoying life!! I hope you will become a mom….being a mom to two sons….I can tell you there is not anything better in the whole world than being a mom. Hugs to you Z…..
Barbara Bowen
Congratulations Zenyatta and Bernadini! I hope he was a gentleman! Do you both plan to stay in touch or is this just a “one night stand?” lol Seriously can’t wait for the beautiful foal of such a magnificent mare and impressive stallion!
Jennifer Adelman
Dear Zenyatta, What happy news that you had your mating go off without any problems. Well that is your way of doing things just perfectly as usual. You meet and exceed all expectations. Now Bernadini has never seen such a gorgeous girl in his life!!! I bet he’s still smiling!
Love & Hugs!
Ann Maree
Hi, Z-girl,
Congratulations to you and to Bernardini! I won’t have any trouble remembering this day, since my birthday is Saturday. Also, I think I read that the gestation period is around 11 months or 330-340 days, so, that will mean, if everything “took” today, that sometime between January 15 and January 29, 2012, we may see Little Zenny! I recall that when Don Robinson spoke about you and what your nickname was right after you were born, it was “Little Tige”, a derivitive of your mama’s name, Vertigineux. So, I expect your foal, whatever gender, will be “Little Zenny”. Bless you sweet girl. Hugs. Your friend, Ann Maree
Linda B
@ensign
I READ the posts but HAVE NOT RESPONDED since I last told you what I think of YOU …I am not (horseluver). I think your “boss”needs to curtail you information giving…or are you just a fraud who can read books. As I said I do not post and will not again !!! Leave me alone
Sally (B)
Oh Z; my heart is filled with happiness for you. I am thrilled tht your special day went so well. Wow, congratulations to you & Bernadini!!
God bless you and keep you!! I agree with Caroline, I would love some of your mane; I will trade you for some more peppermint candies!!hee Will I be able to visit you at your paddock yet this year ?
Love you n a kiss on your soft nose!!
bobbykstrel
A little candlelight and a little Guiness…and magic. Glad everything went well ;-)
Nancy
Congratulations on your nuptuals. And maybe some day your baby and Rachel’s baby can meet on the track…and then, we will see who’s the best.
Rita
Im so happy for you Z, Bernie is a lucky guy. You will have a beautiful foal. Hugs to you.
Christine
ZEN,
I just had dinner and I hope you had something special on this day. Beer might be out for a bit but carrot cake is a go go go. Will wait with you to hear if you are going to be a mom…how exciting. I know you & Dottie will be posting as soon as you know. Night Big grown up lady.
Sharon in Seattle
hoof, hoof, hooray!! Time to celebrate with a guiness!! to Ensign, thanks for all the info. Also to “L”.
sue
So now we have the “waitng game”… I will be praying for your health and for your little one. I am filled with excitment but I know theie will never be another Zenyatta.
sue w
Zenny…Cobngratulations! I knew everything would go perfectly for you because you, my dear, are nothing but PERFECT! Now we all can be aunites and uncles to your adorable foal. I have no doubt you will sail through your pregnancy…that’s just how you are, professional, nurturing and spectacular.
Thanks again to Dottie and the Mosses for their willingness to share so much of you with us. {{{ }}} to you, our Queen. I’ll bet Bernie was totally smitten with you.
tony and sue
Congratulations. You are one of a kind, Zenny. We are thrilled everything went well for you and Bernie. :-)
Valeria Cannon
Congrats Lady Z, it brought tears of joy to my eyes to learn that the queen broke her maiden ‘again’ at ‘first try’! We are sooooo happpppy! for you and the ‘Prince’. No wonder I had the unusual urge to watch Bambi again, strange huh. Bambi is called the ‘little prince’ and his dad is the Great Prince, may you soon be in foal with a healthy ‘little prince/princess’ of your own. Check out the ‘Great Prince’s (Bernardini)’ facebook page he is so excited!!! So don’t be surprised if he sneaks away down to your paddock every now and then, since he’s only 10 minutes away!!! What a great day!!!!
Hugs and Kisses (and sweet dreams of tiny hooves romping!!)
Valeria
Dona
Isn’t it funny how at first your eyes are just filled to the brim and then you can’t help but smile and laugh through the tears. I guess it’s because we love her so much, are happy that this special day is here and then so relieved that it went well and most of all, that she is safe and secure back home. As valuable as she is in the flesh, she is priceless in spirit.
Abigail from Montreal
Well I join everyone who said they were worried about what the experience would be like for you & I’m really glad to know that you were relaxed and that it all seemed to go off perfectly … no pun intended!!!! Once again it goes to show how important were the lessons you learned from Team Z “A + B.”
Thanks for the info on gestation & so forth.
I didn’t know that Rags was in Ireland. But I think that’s just terrific when different continental bloodlines mix. Thanks for that news as well as all the other interesting comments & observations on here today.
And: Could we try to be good to each other please?
Bobbi
@Ensign and @L, thanks for the informative posts about nurse mares. I have to say I’m still uneasy about this practice although I do understand why it is done. That said, I also have 100% confidence in the care and compassion of both the Mosses and Shirreffs and know they will always do the right thing for those in their care.
I do hope people might find their way toward not bickering on this forum. We do so enjoy the light and loving atmosphere that has always surrounded Zenyatta.
Carrie
May God watch over you during this journey of motherhood. Love you Z.
Janet Cutting
Hello to All- @Ensign, L and those who know their horses — all of you are the GREATEST– thanks for the time you take to join all of us and share your knowledge,experence and love for horses and animals. To the very few who make rude comments— settle down !!! with all fighting and anger in the world–this is a nice place to visit –especially since it is focused on a beautiful animal–Zenyatta. Peace!!! PS I am glad this day is done!!! Yeah, janet c
Paul
You are moving up in the world, Zenyatta. I’m glad that your trip this morning to Bernardini’s farm went well for you. Are you a little nervous due to all the attention? If so, I understand. You’re excited too, I’ll bet. Every day is a day closer to the big day. You will be a mother and Bernardini will be a father before you guys know it. Keep us posted.
Dawn Conrad
Dear, Zenyatta. Yes, I too have eyes filled with tears. What fantastic news!! I am very glad that everything went so well. Lanes End is to be congratulated for their work in preparing you and Darley too, for helping Bernardini to become the professional he is. How great for these two outstanding farms to share this event. I am sure that Team Z is absolutely thrilled to see you taking the next step in your life. I am so happy for everyone! Dottie, as always you are just wonderful. Praying everything goes perfect for the next 12 months and that the foal looks just as beautiful as his or her parents. You are truly loved Miss Zenny!!! Stay warm and sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Kennedys – So glad you got the news before you had to leave on your trip. It sounds like a fantastic adventure awaits you in Africa!
@Ensign – Thank you for always sharing your wonderful knowledge.
@Judy Gadwood – Eight Belles lives on within our hearts.
@Jani – I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. How marvelous that Zenyatta has helped you through some of the dark times. The gift of her spirit and what it represents to each of us reaches far beyond our understanding. Bless you.
April Crawford
What a special day! What a great cross. Now just have to wait for the news that you are carrying a lil baby z.
Shannon From Cool
Once again an excellent report and so glad you were delivered safely home. I marked my calendar today with you possible conception date.
Sue Ann Wilson
I love it, it makes me laugh and smile…
Margie
Sweet Z, I’m glad the deed is done and you’re home again. I look forward to a healthy and happy magical you, and the same for any little Zennys. Thank you, Bernie, for being a gentleman. Love you, Z, now and forever, Horse of my Heart.
@Dawn, a few diaries back – thank you!
@Ensign, I think you’re quite informative, as well as our other knowledgeable posters. Please continue, all.
Terri
Congrats, Z. I hope it’s a beautiful baby.