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
I Love Barbaro
Sharon Call
i forgot to post this. you said BARBARO broke off his side leg. that shows you how little you know. it didn’t break off. did you see it laying on the track? sheesh, that’s SICK.
by the way, i know this is Zenyattas blog, but
BARBAROS little brother NICANOR will race this sunday at gulfstream park. he will win. maybe next year they will get smart and breed Zenyatta to NICANOR. pray for a safe trip.
carolyn
Thank you all for informing me. I want all the knowledge I can learn. I feel better after you folks have enlightened me on the subject. keep the good info coming. this is why I love this website, oh, I love Zenny and have been a fan of hers for the past three years. a die hard fans to say the least. I love the fact everyone has something to contribute, whether it’s Dottie or the rest of you, You all really do share alot and it really helps people like my self. Everyone may have a different experience to share, I love to hear them all. Thank you all…..
...
@ I Love Barbaro – Sharon C. typed “broke his off-side back leg” not “broke off his side leg.” Off-side back leg is the right hind leg.
MaTH716
@Barbaro
Yeah, I’m sure the Zenyatta camp definitely considered breeding to a horse who’s last win was in an optional 75k for non winners of 3.
Maybe next year (roll of the eyes).
Nicholas c.
all the best to Z-Girl, hope you have twins!
ENSIGN
MaTH716,
.
Don’t even waste your typing time to ‘I Love Barbaro’.
Just an uneducated whack job posting misinformation all over the www.
Loved the spelling on Alydar though!
Linda B
again to” all” concerned I do not post any longer under any name. I find it distracting from Zen to engage in conversation with a disturbed man named ensign. I do READ the POSTS for this site from Zen herself and am so happy for her and the TEAM.Ensign I am again asking you to leave me alone !!!!!!
QH Breeder
@Carolyn Regarding the twitch, some studies have shown that the use of it releases Endorphins which have a calming affect on the horse. Typically it is used to refocus the horse’s attention during stressful (clipping, minor veterinary work, farrier work, etc) situations.
Marcia R.
Zenny….I hope you danced! Love you!
Barb G
Dearest Z and to all of Z’s devoted fans: If you are like me and don’t live in the world of horses and racing but just love horses and love the details that Zenyatta gives us almost every day about horses and racing, I heartily suggest you read a chapter in Temple Grandin’s latest book, Animals Are Like People. The chapter on horses explains so clearly what makes horses tick and how intelligent and sensitive they are. Between that chapter and Zenny’s daily messages, the word is going farther and farther about how great racehorses are and how good a sport thoroughbred racing is.
Barbara from NJ
lizzy
@Barb G
Thanks for the book recommendation. Just downloaded on my Nook. :)
shawna hamilton
Good Luck Zen! That was the bit of good news I needed to hear today!
ENSIGN
Linda B,
I didn’t post back to you again, relax. Just quit calling me names every time, I *REALLY* don’t appreciate it. I’m not on here calling you names every post, am I? I don’t care if you like me or not, that’s fine, you don’t have to. I just wish you AND Luvhorses would atleast have enough respect for the REST of the people on the board to have enough control to not spew the hate, filth and utter untruths you’ve been posting about me. Would you say these things to my face were I standing in front of you?
lizzy
@Ensign
I respectively ask that you no longer engage LindaB/Luvhorses/Horseluvr I think (and hope) it will diminish a lot of angst we’ve all felt of late. I know you are attempting to defend yourself of accusatory comments, but it’s really no longer necessary. You’ve earned a great deal of respect here on this blog and have contributed immensely to conversation. After some reflection, I felt too like I’ve been ‘sucked in’ and away from what originally brought me here. I will no longer acknowledge or respond anything to do with referenced individual(s).
.
NOW, let’s continue on to what is good and positive about this board, everything Z. ;) :)
anita sparrow
hoping for a filly just like you with all of your wonderful traits.
relientkislove
Oh my GOSH!!!! I knew it’d happen soon but I didn’t know how excited I’d actually be!!! Congratulations!
Sunny Farm
Wow, ZENYATTA ,I am glad to hear that all went well with the cover. !
Next year will be exciting to be waiting for your foal as well as the foal of RACHEL ALEXANDRA ! It is fun to invision the future foals !
AND to think of names !
I’ll bet you and BERNADINI have a very nice….
FILLY !!!!
Ensign : Thanks for the posts, I like to learn something new every day & didn’t know of contractual rules on some large studs, such as a “jump rule”.
IE: Written into the breeding contract.
Please continue to keep us “Posted”
Quite a few readers do enjoy your posts and learning something new, so don’t let some of the others get the ‘jump’ on you !
LOL.
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Been a long & bitter cold day & this storm is headed East for sure , so get ready everyone &
don’t forget to feed the wild birds.
(And get your blanket liners ready for the horses !)
Lise from Maine
Hi Zenyatta!
I don’t like Bernie.
Too bad you weren’t bred to someone else.
Arljim
Can I have the creampie?
Teresa E.
Zenyatta is sorely missed at the track where she loved so much to run. I hope and pray all goes well and nothing goes wrong and takes her from us at foaling. She is such a beloved star in this industry, and news of her retirement was so very sad, when she could have come back again and avenged her BC Classic! Miss you girl.
Does anyone have any info. on visitation with her at Lane’s End? They had said that folks would be able to visit with her, I would certainly think there would be alot of unhappy fans if we could not visit the Queen! Thanks!
NancyP
Hello Beautiful Girl,
I’m catching-up on reading your posts. This was tooooooooo cute! You and Bernie finally – WOW! As always, you are a real pro at everything you do and so is Bernie.
Now we all wait with baited breath with you and Bernie in anticipation of the results. Thank your team for being so attentive by beautifying you for the momentous occasion, but really you are beautiful without all of the fuss!
Thank you Dottie, you are too cute to!
Hugs and Kisses,
NancyP
L
@Teresa E
LEF does not give tours during the breeding season from February until the end of June.
There is an auction going on for a YMCA in Central Kentucky where one of the items is a private visit with Zenyatta for the winner and 4 friends to take place in June/July.
Beyond that it will be up to LEF to see if they can handle the logistics of Zenyatta’s fanbase. Personally I don’t see how they can manage it and maintain a safe environment for the in foal mares but I’m sure they are trying everything they can to come up with a solution.
Cathy P
We love you so much Zenyatta. Hooves crossed for you.
Cathy P
We love you so much Zenyatta. Hooves crossed for you baby. With lots of Love and Big Hugs.
Susan Higgins
We love you Zen! You make me smile. Did he at least buy you dinner??? :)
Suzanne G
@Rose–great ESPN video on Zenyatta and her stride…
http://espn.go.com/blog/sportscenter/post/_/id/90899/sport-science-zenyatta
lizzy
@Suzanne G.
.
Thanks for the video link. This is why Zenyatta will go down as one of the greatest racehorses ever. Going down memory lane, my favorite thing about Z’s races was how she would take a quick look at horses she would pass. Would love to know what she was thinking at that moment.
JD
My little tribute to Zenyatta and Bernie… may their foal be perfect and all be healthy and happy! My best to all Zenyatta’s connections and to Z herself!
Song of Bernardini
(from Lane’s End Story)
(to the tune of Maria from West Side Story)
Zenyatta
I just saw a mare named Zenyatta
I’m walking to the shed
I think I’m off my head
It’s HER!
Zenyatta
I just met a mare named Zenyatta
We’re barely introduced
But I think I’ve been seduced
By her!
Zenyatta
Say it soft, and the future looks glorious
Say it loud – and our foals are victorious
Zenyatta!
Zenyatta! Zenyatta! Zenyatta!
Zenyatta
I danced with a mare named Zenyatta
She has such a kind eye,
I know that I’m the guy
For her!
Zenyatta
I just met a mare named Zenyatta
I think it’s very clear
She must come back next year,
She’s mine!
Zenyatta
Say it soft, and the future looks glorious
Say it loud – and our foals are victorious
Zenyatta!
Zenyatta! Zenyatta! Zenyatta!
jean
I love the new Zenyatta song! And, I’m glad everything went well with the mating process…I hope it wasn’t too painful for her. I will anxiously await news of the results. God bless you, big Mama to be! Love, Jean.
Hannah Huling
Wow! I hope (and know.) that your foal WILL be victorious! A Little Z! Have you picked the name yet? I liked Bernyatta. :)
It seems like a perfect mix of Bernie and Yours!!!!!
Love you Z!!!~
Hannah <3