HAPPY SATURDAY!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. There is some great racing going on around the country today and March Madness continues to be very exciting. So many last minute shots and 3 pointers really change the outcome of a game so quickly. Look at the local Kentucky teams. Louisville lost in the last few moments the other evening and the University of Kentucky secured their win in the final seconds. That is like MY SPORT. A PHOTO FINISH going one way or another or the BOB of a head can be the difference between winning and losing. I guess that is why SPORTING ACTIVITIES are so THRILLING. Every move counts!
Last week when my jockey, MIKE, was going to ride in Arkansas at Oaklawn Park, he called Dottie to mention the huge BILLBOARD he saw with US on it. John contacted his friends at that race track and was able to get a photo of it for ALL OF US to see! Mike’s right…it does LOOK IMPRESSIVE! WIN CITY! I like that thought!
Additionally, I wanted to THANK ALL OF YOU who have been asking about how I am doing in your DIARY responses. I am doing extremely well…and am having SO MUCH FUN! I have been out ‘romping in the paddock’ with my friends every day. We are truly having a great time. We absolutely love it when the wind blows just enough to make it FUN. Sometimes, it feels like the breezes are tickling my coat. When this happens, my friends and I put up our tails and gallop around the field together truly appreciating the outdoors, the wind, and each other. Such special moments!
I’m also enjoying my normal daily routine and all of favorite foods. This week, in addition to bananas and pears, I have been having a special craving for peppermints. I’ve figured out something very special about them. Not only do peppermints TASTE GREAT…but, the other fabulous thing is that my guys here can carry lots and lots of them around in their pockets at all times. That makes them very HANDY and ACCESSIBLE. Thus, every time I nod to one of them, cuddle up, or come to the front of my stall for a pat or a photo …all they have to do is reach in their pockets and VOILA…A TREAT FOR ME! Now, this is TOO CUTE!
Have a fabulous Saturday and Sunday!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Shirley
Love the billboard.
You have your connections well trained to have treats ready whenever you do something clever or cute. Very good, Queen Z.
Ann Maree
Hi, Z – can’t wait to check out the billboard pix….hugs! Your friend, Ann Maree
Gloria Jeanne
Zen- the pepperment story is Too Cute!! I do worry that you may be eating too many peppepmints, as Your Dear John once told me, You are still Very Young and We have to be careful not to rot your teath with too many sweet treats!! Please make sure to brush your teath after- Love You- I’m just looking out for you! I’m sure Lane’s End take good care of you :-)
DEBBIE GUSTAFSON
thats because we love you Zenyatta,, hot springs loves you girl…….my track,, i go to all the time ,,,you are the queen there girl…wow zen, a fan had a tattoo of you put on him awesome job they did ,,,wow ..you go girl…hope all is good ..great day at oaklawn,,,,,,,,waiting for the rebel,, ARKANSAS LOVES ZENYATTA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
judy berube
Dear Z,
So good to know that you are happy and enjoying yourself with your pals. Wish we could see video of that. The billboard photo is wonderful. What a partnership were you and Mike. Thank you John and Dottie for sharing with us. Love to all of you. Judy and Russ
Emily T
I love you Z!
Patti in Carlsbad
THE BILLBOARD PICTURE IS TRULY TOO CUTE…JUST LIKE YOU! PEPPERMINTS ARE A REAL TREAT. CHARLES PROBABLY HAS TONS OF THEM TO SHARE WITH YOU, PIRATE QUEEN,ALYSS AND SEA GULL. YOU GALS DESERVE A SPECIAL PEPPERMINT BREAK AFTER A HARD DAY RELAXING IN THE FIELDS. ENJOY!!!
Sandra Bentow
Loved the poster. You are very photogenic.Enjoy your peppermints you deserve them.
Karen Mitchell
Dear Zenyatta, I remember how much joy our horses felt when the wind was blowing; they ran, bucked, whinnied, snorted and cavorted and it was beautiful to see.
Re the last post (#206), there were so many excellent and heartfelt comments.
@sunnyboyd: You have the perfect name and quoted one of my favorite songs (You are my sunshine), which Z epitomizes. Also, we humans need all animals more than they need us. But as we have the most power, we should also have the greatest responsibility for caring for them. Sadly, what we human animals have that animals don’t is greed, which doesn’t speak well for the human race and many of its actions with respect to all living things including the environment itself.
Cindy
Peppermints are wonderful! Hey, Queen Zenny…see if they’ll order some of the old fashioned peppermints from See’s for you…omg they’re awesome.
Love that billboard…it’s a great pic of you!
Glad to hear you’re doing well your majesty..take care, hope you get some fine spring weather for romping the paddock.
Love you.
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, I love the billboard. Because it captures that larger than life personality that you have with your head up & all four off the ground. Great shot! I bet it is a thrill to see you & the girls romping in the paddock with the tails held high and running with the wind. My heart sings of happiness for you, Zenyatta for you to be able to enjoy your freedom from racing. Eat, sleep & play all you want. Now that’s living! That’s what I do since I retired. Isn’t it great! It’s beautiful here on Lake Martin with spring opening all the blooms. I know it’s beautiful there too. Look up in the sky tonight to see the brightest & largest moon. It won’t happen again till 2023. Be careful playing & have a wonderful weekend. Sending Hugs & Kisses to You & Baby ZeBe From Alabama With Love, Amanda G.
Neva Rae Powers
Darling Zenyatta, thank you for another fun post. May you enjoy many days of the wind blowing through your mane.
Karen Mitchell
Part 2 of my responses to Diary Post #206 comments.
@Mary: When I first saw Z in person, she quite literally took my breath away, as you said in your lovely post.
@Barbara Wood: good luck with your operation and let’s all celebrate Z’s April 1st birthday, which I am thrilled to say is also my birthday (I’ll be 70).
@Cheryl: I agree that horses (and all animals, especially dogs) are nicer and purer than humans. And they aren’t afflicted with the ugliest of human qualities – greed and cruelty to others of all species.
@AudreyC: your post was beautiful. We do need a major shift in consciousness both in terms of loving all living things for their own beautiful selves and in recognizing our self interest in their vital place in our world.
@Dawn: thinking of you always and sending positive thoughts and love your way.
@Donna: I share your lovely thoughts about horses and would only say that, as incredibly special as horses are, I would add that all animals (wild and domestic) need to be blessed, protected and loved.
Thank you ALL for your wonderful comments to post #206
Trudy De Marlie
Precious Z, you fill my eyes with tears and my heart with joy everyday when I reayrdiary.Your truly a GIFT from God! I drove all nite from AZ to see you that last weekend at Hollywood Park. A bkside employee(Angel) had spoken w/John who okd me to come back to yr stall and meet U personally but misunderstanding ofthe time..missed my chance (so sad). Mario let me touch u the next day in the paddock +John&Mike kindly autographed my program. TU all-Z-team, John, Mike, & Queen Z the GREAT MEMORIES. yOUR THE BEST, FINALLY ALL know & AGREE. luv,trudy
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Hi Zenny, Hope your day is filled with as much sunshine as you pass on to all of us. You will be happy to hear your Wildcats beat W. Virginia this afternoon. Next stop for them will be the Ohio State Buckeyes, (OSU still has to beat George Mason though). Good Luck with THAT! Go easy on those peppermints – they’re hard on the teeth – at least for humans! Lots of Love & Hugs
Mary M. Meek
When I met Zenyatta at Churchill Downs, she nibbled at my camera bag and tried to get into my coat pockets. I realized later that I had one of those tins of Altoids in there, and she smelled the peppermints! What a sweet horse. She nuzzled on my neck and got to pet her. My friend Jeff took this picture of us (I use it as my Facebook avatar): https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OtCz5ITsWjGFwbG7KjOAWQ?feat=directlink
Debbi M
Love the billboard and happy to hear you are having so much fun romping with the girls. Would love more video of you out enjoying the flashes of spring that we are having. You are awesome and Mike is very special, too!
Karen
Beautiful Zenyatta,
Happy Saturday to you, Beloved One. Enjoy all your “goodies” especially the peppermints. Your breath must be as sweet as you are!!
Abigail from Montreal
Zenny – the peppermint story is really TOO CUTE! You are one smart cookie, missy, to have worked out the “peppermint logistics” so quickly. How convenient that the Lane’s End gang have turned out to be walking goody bags!!!!
Can you eat maple syrup? We make the best in the world right here in Quebec.
I’m sending you huge kisses, big girl!
Jean Moore
Beautiful Zenyatta, Wow, wasn’t that nice of Mike to get a shot of the billboard from his friend that we could share, please thank him for us. It is awesome! And I note that you have succeeded in training Team Z Kentucky to your liking in the peppermint rituals or anything else Her Highness may need. I know they are as enamoured of you as is everyone who knows you. Thank you for assuring us that you feel great and enjoy the luxury of running with the wind. Tough life, huh? Also noted that you are bilingual, is there no end to your talents? Sweet one, have a great weekend, enjoy the freedom and don’t forget to look at the Super Moon tonite, I will and know that you too are watching. About 8pm east coast. Love you so much.
Sue
Hi Z, Have you ever had Bob’s peppermint’s? They are the best. Love the billboard it is great. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Maria
Queen Z, Wow! you got over 70,000 fans in your facebook! I love your billboard in Arkansas. That is really cool! I love you Zennie.
Margaret
Zennie who helps you brush your teeth? I would think with all that sugar you might want to think about the long term.
If I can find the picture I have of “You have bad breath” you’d have a really good horse laugh. The horse in question is doing flehmen but he looks like he’s giving me the horse laugh of the day. And his teeth need brushing really bad.
Peyton
Hey Zeny! I love you soooooo much! Is there any possibility we can get some more pictures of you and your friends playing and running out in the paddock soon? I’m obsessed and need more pictures of you running free.Thanx!
Justin
Hello Zenyatta, I’m a big fan. Can we please get some more pictures of you galloping and playing in your pasture with your pals? Thank you
HappyHarriet
Dear Queen Zenyatta Momma ~
So happy to see the billboard picture of you and Mikie. You two are One Being, impossible to separate in my mind. Knowing your daily rituals and highlights gives your admirers a sense of comfort and closeness. Thanks for the details and thoughtfulness of your Voice, our dear Dottie.
Love and Peppermint to All ~HH (see you at Sunday Brunch)
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, you and Mike look great on the billboard! As Trevor Denman would say, you are “poetry in motion”.
I’m glad you’re having fun and that the guys at Lane’s End are carrying peppermints in their pockets for you. You deserve the treats!
Have a nice evening, sweet girl.
Love to all,
Leslie
Sue Fredrick
WOW Zee that poster is totally awesome I wish I had it in my yard so I could look at your big beautiful body every day. Thank John for getting his friend to take a pic and send it….he is just such a sweetie!! Boy you sure have the gang at Lanes End trained…. but after all you are the “Queen” and they should treat you accordingly. I’m working on my postcard it sure is hard to say everything you mean to me in one little paragraph….wish I could use shorthand, HA,HA. Luv you and kisses on your nose
Sharon in Seattle
AHHH, Zenny, I remember the day when that pic in Arkansas was taken. What a fabulous idea to make it a billboard. The Hot Springs area is so beautiful and you took everyone’s breath away at Oaklawn – everywhere for that matter!!
Jeanne
CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THE BILLBOARD FOR MYSELF ON THURSDAY!!!!!!!!