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
Ribot
The information regarding Z’s breeding plans was originally posted on a high traffic racing forum at 8:20pm ET on the 22nd.
Linda/Orange MA
@ LUVHORSES THANK-YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT FOR ENSIGN.
I am so glad everything went well with Zen and Bern.I hope everything goes well.
She is the Queen and was treated as a Queen for her first meeting. Great respect!
ENSIGN
Thanks for the tip Ribot. And here I take all the blame, lol.
sue w
Peace and love, everyone! This was a great day for our Queen. May she thrive during her pregnancy and give birth to a sound, healthy foal. Dottie…you are a “gem”.
Signofthetimes
@Emily
Thanks much for sending the link on David Ingordo
He is one very talented young man. Very professional
Brilliant and intuitive. Great job Dottie raising a wonderful
Son.
Cathleen
Congratulations Zenyatta! Let motherhood begin! I hope your team at Lane’s End gave you one last Guinness before your big date! XOXO
PS: Do you know if Life Is Sweet had her baby yet??
Sunny Boyd
Dear Zetty,
my goodness, our Zetty was deflowered today, a maiden mare no longer, but a full fledged mare you are now :) :) :)
Oh, I do so hope that it is going to make you a Mama come January. I just know it’ll be the most anticipated day for all of us. :) :) :)
My goodness, and you were so brave, and professional, isn’t that sthg. And now we’ll wait for the good news that today was successful.
Well, I’m so glad it’s over. You have a real good night, and sweet dreams of carrots & mints. <3<3<3
Doctor Lock
Thanks to all for such wonderful ,fabulous news.tears are flowing.so does this mean the Guiness is off limits now? this is so darn special. god bless you Zen.We love you so much girl!have fun now.
lizzy
@ Ensign:
.
This is a loss cause…..talking responding to LindaB, I mean horseluvr, no wait, I meant Luvhorses……i know there’s more, but to keep up with the histrionics of this individual is fruitless (no pun intended).
.
.
I beg people not to respond to her anymore. She of course is entitled like everyone else to post on here, but to respond to her delusional remarks is just inciting her. It’s become a distraction to all the genuine Z lovers on here and those that truly are interested in her well being and anything horse.
Megan S
AWWW!!! So happy for you and your man!! <3
Paula Higgins
This is wonderful and exciting news!!! I am so glad things went so well for Zenny and Bernie. Sounds like they were in very good hands. Hopefully, we will have some more good news in 14 days or so. The link to David Ingordo’s interview is much appreciated! What a brilliant interview. Very informative.
Kim S
Woo Hoo! Congrats Zenny and Bernie.
@Ensign, I appreciate your knowledge, even if you did just read it out of a book :). You seem genuine to me. Not sure what some of these others are getting so upset about, if you don’t like the posts/comments, please move on. The rest of us are learning to move past your posts. Enjoy the intelligent info from all and thanks Dottie for all your hard work and the time it takes to do the upkeep of Zenny’s diary posts. Lotsa love to all
Cristina and Brad
DEAR ZENYATTA AND BERNADINI,
CRISTINA AND I ARE SO VERY HAPPY FOR THE BOTH OF YOU, WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE BOTH OF YOU WILL SOON BE THE PROUD PARENTS OF A HEALTHY AND HAPPY BABY. IN ROMANIA WE WOULD SAY TO YOU FELICITARI (CONGRATULATIONS).
SALUTE WITH LOVE,
CRISTINA AND BRAD FROM ILLINOIS
Signofthetimes
Dear Zenny
Looking at the beautiful photo of you taken by Sarah and the gorgeous
Photo of Bernie. It is difficult to not have a fantasy of you and Bernie
Galloping around the paddock together and breeding there and enjoying each other over some grass and alfalfa. That will not happen but so glad that you were prepared so well and everything was as pleasant as possible. Sweet dreams big girl and happy embryo fusion
XXXOOO
Horseluver
@Lizzy
I believe you have some mental health issues going off on bornto
Breed a few posts ago. You and ensign are two of a kind fraudulent
Inappropriate and unprofessional.
Lynne
Thank you very much Dottie and all of team zenyatta for letting all her fans share in her meeting with Bernardini. We will all be very excited in anticipation of her foaling time.
KIMBERLY
Good luck Big Girl. Hope everything goes well. Bernie is sure a “LOOKER” You will have a beautiful baby….
Linda/Orange MA
Good Night Zenyatta, Best Wishes, will be watching all of these posts. I have always loved horses. I cannot tell story::
Love You Zenyatta and I hope everything well along with your team.
Kathy Wheeler
I love you Z, but this I don’t need to read this…you poor thing…this site is exploiting you.
Barbara Wood
LauraJ–thanks, but I just can’t donate now. That’s why I’m praying that those who can, will . We are newly retired on a reduced income. I’ve already given to about 4 rescues this month. Hoping to hear the money was raised. Maybe I can send something later. They are swesome.
Peggy
Zenyatta I am so very happy for you and Bernie. So glad everything went well. I hope hope hope that we will have some positive Foal on the way news in a few days. @Ensign and @L, I have appreciated so very much the knowledge that you have shared on this post. I don’t think that you have been in any way bad. I have heard most of what you have said from the farms and on line. And in respect what you said yesterday that you had heard about Zen being bred, listen things can always get out person to person on TV etc. Unless someone tells you to not betray a trust I think your just sharing news and Ensign did not say he had conformation………And Thanks so much Ensign for the update on the great Storm Cat. Please don’t stop posting here. You seem to be a world of accurate knowledge. Thanks Peggy
J Smith
I do not wish to see posts from people bickering. This is a site for Zenyatta fans to share their love for Zenyatta, and by doing so have created a wonderful, caring, supportive community. We have been inspired to become better people, have educated ourselves on all things horse, have become interested in helping all animals have better lives, have seen what a difference can be made in human lives when showing you care. We have been taught by the fine examples of Mr & Mrs Moss, Mr & Mrs Shirreffs, and all of Team Z. Can you imagine any of them would carry on like some posts I have seen today? This is a joyous day, please don’t spoil it for the rest of us. If in doubt, just think, ‘What would Zenyatta say’ before hitting the keys.
Alene
Thats the way to go. My girl Zenny. I`m sooo proud of you and Bernie. Two pros. You`ll make a great mom!!!. Is`nt Darley beautiful.. Bernies pictures are all over the welcome lobby. I`ve been to the breeding shed. Just think Zenny you are going to have a baby. A beautiful one. Special one like mom and dad!!! I`m very happy for the Mosses and all of your connections. Most of all you. Doing what you did today is`nt easy and once again you did a perfect job. So did Bernie.. God bless you , Bernie, and your foal!!! Good luck to EVERYONE!!! Love and special Big Hugs and Kisses today!!! Alene :-)
Seattle
Congrats to the new couple!!! And who is your beau’s grandfather?? Tell us****
Can’t wait for the new little one—2012*
Dani
Oh and I meant to say the interview with David was terrific. A must read.
Okay, now I’m done posting for the night. :)
Night Zenny.
Jane in Seattle
Hello Beautiful!
I’m so happy your big day went perfectly – you are the BEST girl, we always knew that. Your former life is really, really over but it’s wonderful to see you relaxing and being happy. And what a beautiful thing it will be to see you with your first foal. I know you’ve been around human children, but I wonder if you’ve had the opportunity to be around a foal? Not to worry, you have everything it takes to be a wonderful mother.
I don’t know what’s up with the humans lately. Is there a full moon? Unpleasantness here, on Mike Smith’s FB page, on some email lists I’m on. I wonder, is it too far-fetched to think all the misery in Egypt and Libya and such might be echoing in other places? The world is so much more connected than we used to think.
But I am so glad to spend time here hearing about you, and the sweetness you bring to everyone around you.
Sweet dreams momma-to-be =-)
carolyn
I know nothing about horse breeding, so could someone tell me why the mare has to have the lip chain connected to the long stick someone is holding on to, why does she have to have this in her mouth? also, I have heard some bad things about horse breeding and I have heard it can be ugly. What do you think they had to do to her when she was being bred? I hope she isnt upset over it.
L
@Seattle.
Bernardini’s second sire on his sire’s side is Seattle Slew. His second sire on his dam’s side is Quiet American. His third sire on his sire’s dam’s side is Secretariat.
Royal bloodlines indeed!
lizl
Can’t wait to see the little “Zendini”
L
@Jane in Seattle
Zenyatta would not yet be allowed around the foals of another mare. When she foals herself and has a foal at her side she may be turned out with her paddock mates and their foals. It’s just safest to take these things one step at a time and slowly, especially when you’re talking about the baby of another mare.
@Carolyn
Darley and LEF are both solid, professional organizations. Every step was taken to ensure that the breeding was as safe and stress free as possible for both Zenyatta and Bernardini. Twitching a mare can be a standard procedure as can the administration of Ace.
Dottie says that Zenyatta was professional about the ‘dry run’ and professional in the shed and so was Bernardini so I imagine the handlers used as little artificial restraint as they felt necessary to maintain a safe cover.