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
audreyc
Very happy that all went smoothly and well. Of course, with Zenyatta, and all of the great breeding barns – great care is exercised in making all safe. I witnessed natural breeding, done by Norwegian friends,who have bred Norwegian fjords -just 1-2 foals per year, for many years. They had one stallion, and 4 mares, and would alternate 2 of the mares for breeding each year. When a mare was coming into season, they would put the stallion & mare alone together for several weeks, and let nature take its course. It got pretty violent – if the mare was not quite ready, she would kick out at the stallion, when he tried to mount. Sometimes, the stallion would be trying to hang on, and biting her on the back. However, they both had enough pasture, and no one was injured, other than surface bites & scratches. When the mare was truly ready, she willingly complied. The horses knew each other – the stallion knew his “harem of mares” and his babies, and actually – all went rather like it would in the wild (sans competing stallions trying to steal mares). I truly hope that a very healthy baby Z was successfully conceived this time, and I also pray that a nurse mare will not be needed – for a multitude of reasons….
ira
Best Wishes for a healthy gestation. Maybe you and Rachael will have your babies on the same day!
L
AudreyC’s post got me thinking of a video on You Tube that shows just how tolerant stallions can be of foals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STduukskrhg
Unfortunately at the TB level such situations are not wise but in the wild and in a natural horse herd, ‘Daddy’ can and will put up with a lot, least he get a talking too from ‘Momma’! :D
Linda in NC
I seldom post, although I am a faithful reader of the daily diaries. I don’t know how many of you might have followed Barbaro on the major site that was/is devoted to him, but one of the saddest things after his passing was the gradual increase in vitriol in the “conversation” on that site.
As others have pointed out, we are SO LUCKY to receive regular information about what is happening in Zenyatta’s world. Thank you Dottie, and thank you to the Mosses’ for sanctioning all that is shared with us.
To the folks that are sniping here, please take it elsewhere and let this remain a positive place where we can focus on what is, without a doubt, exemplary treatment of a legendary racehorse who is a gift on so many levels. In honor of Barbaro and Eight Belles and Ruffian and so many other incredible horses who gave their all, let us continue to be grateful for the miracle – and I use that word advisably – of Zenyatta.
Peace,
Linda in NC
Holly Zemba
Hope you enjoyed your date with Bernadini and hope congratulations are in order.
LongStoryTB
Dottie, You are incredible. What a joy to read about Zenyatta. So many times the great ones just disappear, and the next time you read about them, they are literally gone. Thank you for keeping us all in touch with the wonderful Zenyatta! You make me smile!!
Sharon in Ohio
Perfect !! I am so glad that it was perfect ! Z, that is what you are, Perfection !! Thank you so much Dottie, for giving us the information, you are so creative ! Congratulations, to Z and B, our royal couple !!Waiting for the story to unfold…our little one will be arriving on the wings of an Angel !!xxxooxxox
Paula McCaleb
Congratulations ZENYATTA & BERNARDINI on your special day!
On a side note: Zenyatta’s website was always a HAPPY place to come visit. Lately, it seems like there is a lot of negative & crude comments being posted. It’s really sad it has to be this way. There’s so much hate and sadness in the world as it is, just turn on the news and you will see it. At the end of the day it’s nice to come to a place where there is Love, Happiness & Appreciation for our Precious Zenyatta. Let’s not forget why we come here. I feel we are an extended family of Zenyatta and we should all respect that. Peace and Love to you all!
MaryAnn Donahue
Very best wishes and congratulations. Will look forward to seeing your first foal early next year. Anticipation……!!
Thank you Dottie for keeping Z’s fans informed. I really appreciate being able to get news about Zen, “straight from the mare’s mouth” so to speak.
avec coeur (with heart)
Mary Ann
Signofthetimes
@AudreyC
Really love your post. Authentic breeding.
Kimberly
What a fantastic journey this is Zenyatta…thanks so much for taking us with you. Life begins at conception! Your #1 fan in Montana!!
Deneen
So glad that everything went well today –I was hoping that it would!! Looking forward to hearing good news in a couple of weeks!! Be safe and happy sweet girl!! As for some of the “colorful” posts today, my elders said it best, “If you can’t say anything nice, then you shouldn’t say anything at all”. Negative dialogue serves no purpose here. Zenyatta’s website is the most beautiful, uplifting, informative site I have ever seen. I look forward to reading the posts every day and learning more about Z’s life!! Dottie, I am so thankful and grateful for all the hard work you put into the diary posts each and every day. You are ONE OF A KIND and write so beautifully!! Many thanks to Lanes End and Sarah for all that you do to help us stay in touch with our beautiful Zenyatta!!
Tammy B
Congrats Zenny and Bernie!!!! I cried upon reading the news of your “date” and was very happy that all appeared to go well. Here’s wishing you a safe and happy pregnancy and a healthy baby. I am a regular reader of your diary and totally appreciate being allowed the opportunity to know how you are doing. Thanks to Team Z and Dottie for keeping us up to date with our beautiful Queen Z! Could someone please tell how to access Bernardini’s FaceBook page? Love you, Queen Z.
Elaine
You missed my birthday by 2 days (my birthday is Friday). February is a great month for babies! My first grandchild was born on 2/11/11….a darling little girl.
Best of luck, Zenny. You’ll be a fantastic Mom….professional as always!
Diana S
Wasn’t going to post – it’s all been said and then some by others. However, I wanted to make a correction to a post up the line aways. I distinctly remember BH printing lovely photos of Rags and her first foal in the pasture. The filly foal was a spitting image of Rags. Don’t know how long she was able to stay with Rags, but obviously long enough for the beautiful photos to be taken. Healthy pregnancies, foalings, and babies to RA and Z. And continued kudos to Dottie for all you have been doing to offer fans a window into a usually secret world. YOU ALL ROCK!!!
d. scott
Thank you for the wonderful updates, wow, another great reason to check in every day to see what is going on– a lot! a must read, this interview with David Ingordo about Zenyatta, truly one of kind, thank you David and the interviewer Samantha, so well-written, great photos too, http://eventingnation.com/home/2011/02/finding-zenyatta.html
M2 + Little Bit & Ready Lady (The team from the Little Bit Ranch)
Congratulations on the big day Z. Thank you Dottie, as always!
OraJean Stevenson
Dearest Queen-Z & Team-Z,
Congratulations to Zenyatta and Bernardini, and all their connections, on the successful completion of this step of the breeding process. Now, back to the Girls and sunning in the paddock!! Stay warm and well. Thanks, Dottie, for this informative Diary Entry.
Hugs to you all. Fondly, OraJean
Joan
Oh, Zenyatta, I am so happy for you. You are going to make a great mom. I’m so glad Bernie was good to you and that everything went so easily. This is such wonderful news.
Carmela Bozulich
What a girl! Congratulations to you and Bernie, hope all goes well the next 11-12 months and you stay healthy & in good shape for that baby!
Kitei
What a day! I’m so happy for you, for Bernardini, and for your whole family (and for us) that this all went well, but didn’t cry until I read above someone’s remark that it is
Eight Belles’ birthday today also. Then I got to thinking: maybe we should all study up on the means of distinguishing an unmistaken reincarnation* — because:
“Somewhere, somewhere
In time’s own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some Paradise where horses go.
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.”
(-Stanley Harrison)
*Tibetan documentary movie for starters: Unmistaken Child (2008)
There couldn’t be a better choice in potential parents or families than you, Z, &B, & team.
@L — thank you so much for the hysterical video of Fabuloso being so self-restrained while his pesky baby plays with him! ;D
kim
God Bless you Zenyatta !!! May the angels watch over you and protect you !!
Kim
Dottie Combest
Dear Queen Zenyatta ~ so glad ALL went well with your mating date with Bernardini (your Prince) can’t call him a King cause AP Indy is King ~ but the King would have been toooo old for you so therefore you have his best son for your first foals sire(daddy) ~ Hope your “First” is the Charm ! ….. May God be with you and little Zendini as well !!!
Laurie Nunnally
Well done big girl! and to “Team Zenyatta” thank you so much for continuing to share her with us…
Mary Alice Kier
Amen to all the postive posts. This is a marvelous day to reflect on the power of love that has been so magnificently expressed through the years by Mr. and Mrs. Moss, Mr. and Mrs. Sherriffs, Mike Smith, Mario and Carmen and all the others associated with Zenyatta. It does take a village to support these wonderful horses we all take to our hearts and souls. Zenyatta is the end result of this love and has continued to exemplify it from her transition as one of the great racing mares in history to her new life at Lane’s End. I think we should all celebrate this great moment ant not let any negativity taint what we all express in our own personal admiration and love for the Queen.
Here’s to the future and Zenyatta continuing to dance in our dreams!!
Susie Bowie
Zenny….You are truly a champion…Once again you’ve made us cry and yet given us something to hope and wait for..This time It’s the beautiful foal who wil arrive next spring..dancing and leaving us all breathless..Love to you, sweet Zenyatta<3
Vicki B.
@Ensign, @L, @QH Breeder and several others – Thanks for your variety of equine knowledge, horse sense, humor, etc. I’ve been educated and enjoying it throughout all these posts. This diary would lose some of its excitement, if you were gone — you have not deserved any of the meanness some of you have been shown in the last couple of days. I also very much empathize with all those who don’t like to see such “stuff” here. I also like coming here and simply enjoying Zenyatta. But we have no control over the very few who are truly out of control, and willfully flexing a toxic agenda. Sometimes it is better to simply ignore them, but some of it has been so vicious, I felt that it’s important to take a stand against it.
Deana Dameron
Zenyatta’s connection to Eight Belles. 1) Her first gal pal at LE is Pirate Queen (her sire is Unbridled Song-Eight Belles’ sire) 2) Zenyatta and Bernardini mate on Eight Belles’ Birthday 2-23-11. I am so happy that all went well today and look forward to seeing your sweet healthy foal in 11 months. @ Mary Alice-I echo your words-well put! It is time to reflect and share in the happiness in all that is Zenyatta and Team Z. So many things mixed with love made this the positive situation it is. Love you Z, and thanks Dottie for keeping us all informed.
Agnes
Go Zenny and Bernie! I can’t WAIT til your little baby arrives :’)
ENSIGN
@ Vicki B,
.
Thanks for the kind post above : )
.
@ Diana S,
.
I’ve not personally seen any photos from the BH showing Rags with her 1st filly. There’s a nice gallery here:
http://gallery.bloodhorse.com/SlideShow/default.aspx?gallery=RagstoRiches1stfoal&photo=1
but you’ll note there are no photos of the two together, even though La Traviata is pictured with hers.