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
The Kennedys in San Diego
Zenyatta, no surprise here that you were totally professional — you have always been the complete professional at everything you have undertaken. We fully expect to learn in 16 days that you are in foal. Congratulations and best wishes to you and Bernardini,’The Prince.’
Allen
I am sure that you were the best looking date Bernie has ever had.CONGRATS Z!!! Am I correct, twelve days and they will be able to tell if you are in foal?
Markay Soll
Congratulations on your “Maiden Voyage” !!! You do realize, don’t you, that there can be no Guinness for a while??? Thank you again Dottie for sharing with all of us! :-)
Marilyn Hill-Russell
Very excited Z. now the waiting.
Charisse Wolf
Well Big Girl….congrats !!!! I’m glad they gave you a day of beauty and manicure before the big day……Love you !!!!
Linda Moss
Queen Z – Thank you for sharing this experience with us; as one knows it can be rather personal. Please know you have a ton of support and love coming your way – and Bernie too! He is one lucky Dude!! Look forward to your update tomorrow and th next day and the next…..
Gloria Jeanne
WOW!!! So it’s done. Congrats Zenyatta, I too hope today is the lucky day and all goes very well and “it” took. I am so exicted, I hear it takes about 15 days to find out if it all went well today. Thanks for updating us on all on the big day!!! I think you and Rachel will have your foals about the same time that’s TOO CUTE!
I am so happy and exited for everyone!!!
Love and Hugs to Zenyatta and Bernie Kisses
georgia
How exciting for you what a wonderful day. I am so happy all went well, was so worried about you. I had been to Three Chimneys and they went thru the entire breeding process and I was hoping all was easy for you but then you are the perfect Queen. You have such a great team and just think next year at this time we may see the royal baby. On another note does anyone know about Live is Sweet did she have her baby and what did she have (any pictures?) Hugs and Kisses
Alyssa
Good job Zenny!!!
O.N.
OMG! I can NOT wait to see if everything goes through! :D If all goes as planned, you’ll have a little daughter by your side in a few short months ;D Please keep us posted, and put up more pics! :D
Hugs & kisses xoxox
Valerie chase
What great news to wake up to todAy Z!! So excited for you! A couple weeks and we will know for sure!! Relax and enjoy the beautiful day! Xxoo
ENSIGN
@ Allen,
.
Usually closer to 14-16 days, but I’m sure they’ll be checking daily from 12 days on.
Ann
Glad it all went well. Can’t wait to hear if Bernie is the stud he is known to be.
He is sure a handsome boy and your foal will be gorgeous just like you.
Theresa
I wouldn’t have expected this to go any other way than smooth, Zenyatta. You are so special! Here’s to a very healthy foal! I know you will be a great mom. It’s just who you are.
And Dottie, thank you so much for the update. Very cute!
Judy Gadwood Loves Zenny/California
Hi Zenny!
I’m going to cry… I’m so proud and happy for you and Bernie!
I need to mention a birthday today ~ EIGHT BELLES ~ I think her spirit and good wishes are with you. Bless you, sweetie!
HUGS & KISS XO
Linda Shull
Can’t wait to see the baby!!!
Gloria Jeanne
Dottie and Zenny, I think it’s great that her fans found out about the big day before the rest of the industry. That really makes us fans feel very speical.
Thanks for sharing, Zen go gossip with your gal pals about today’s events, then go relax and take it easy.
Lori
ZENNY, I am so glad everything went well for you and BERNARDINI
Tairaterces
I knew it would go well . . fingers crossed that Bernie is a one cover kind of guy. ;)
Love you Z!!!
Lauren
Dear Zenny – Oh how beautiful and what great news. I hope that all went well and that we will get good news soon. You are such a beautiful girl. Much love and kisses. xoxoxo
Joy
Well, I can tell Bernie really liked you!!! But what did you think of him??? I mean seeing him up close for the first time… Well here’s hopeing that your “Little Z” is now in the works and on her way… This is all so exciting and I am so happy for you. Are they going to take you back for another “date”? Have a lovely day, Sweetheart. Love you so much!!
LauraJ
I’m wondering how many Darley employees found they had pressing business around the stallion barn as she was arriving and departing…
She is a celebrity, after all.
Angela
Way to go Team Z! What a nice way to put “this experience” Dottie! Glad everything went well! I watched a breeding at Three Chimney’s and didn’t realize how much precaution they take to protect the mare and stallion. Will they breed everyday now until she is out of season and then if she comes back in, do they continue to breed her until she goes back out again? Can’t wait to see her pregnant belly!!!! Oh Happy Day : )
Nancy/Ca.
Happy to hear it went well! :)
Ola Archer
With a live cover, do they only have one cover or will they do another?
debbbie gustafson
Wow Zenyatta,you are so awesome, the day has come and now with all hope and prayers you’ll be a mommie,You are such a job in my life,, thank -you zen,,,,xxoxoxoxo
ENSIGN
@ Angela,
.
They won’t breed her again unless she comes up empty at her 1st scan. Top TB stallions are too busy and booked to too many mares to cover the same mare multiple times on the same cycle if it’s not necessary. That’s why the vets were there, scanning her and measuring her follicles looking for the optimum time to breed her. Ideally, they’re looking to get her in the shed when they’ve got a follicle about 24 hours or less from being ready to ovulate.
kealy
And you HOOVES really do not belong on this site…insults to others are really not acceptable here. Relieved that all went well for the Z girl!
Denise
Awesome Z! So happy all went well for you..please do keep us informed. Congrats to Bernie for taking care of our girl!
Patti in Carlsbad
EVERYONE IS SO EXCITED FOR YOU AND BERNIE. IT SOUNDS AS IF YOU HAD A VERY NICE “FIRST JUMP AND COVER”, SO TO SPEAK. SO HAPPY YOU WERE RELAXED AND BERNIE WAS QUITE THE GENTLEMAN. HOPEFULLY YOU ARE NOW “IN FOAL”. WE CANNOT WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR AND SEE YOUR PRECIOUS OFFSPRING. IT IS TIME TO GO AND ENJOY THE FIRST PHASES OF BECOMING A MOMMY. YOUR GAL PALS WILL BE DELIGHTED TO SHARE IN YOUR GOOD NEWS. WILL YOU BE SENT TO A DIFFERENT SHED NOW THAT YOU ARE “EXPECTING”?