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
DJ
p.s. sending Good thoughts your way, Dawn…
Christine in VA
Hi Zen
need to name you baby PEPPERMINTZEN OR ZENAGAIN. Take care have a great sunday
Trina Nagele
Carmen Zamora,Zenyatta’s hotwalker during her racind days,is Mario’s wife. Is Sandra Gomez perhaps a daughter?
Trina Nagele
Oops, meant to say Carmen Zamora, Zenyatta’s hotwalker during her racing days, is Mario’s wife. Is Sandra Gomez perhaps a daughter? Do you mind telling us?
Jenna
Happy happy Sunday!
I hope you all had a great weekend.
Love to Zenyatta and many thanks to Dottie.
Have a wonderful night and sleep tight, gorgeous girl.
Nighty night.
Winged One
Ahh…Zenyatta!!!! Today at work a customer showed up who was wearing a blue KEENELAND shirt with a silhouette of a Thoroughbred in full run…
I asked him if he and his family had ever been to any of your races and he said yes, he had! I am SOOO jealous =] I only ever got to watch you on YouTube hehe, as I am not really into racing, I just love horses in general. But you sure did catch my eye! It’s amazing how far your reach extends even now that you’ve retired!! (I am in South Texas, btw =] )
I can’t wait to see your first baby!! And I am so glad that you are happy and safe and having fun!!
Winged One
And by the way..i LOVE the billboard!! hehehe
Winged One
Oh, and I have a calendar with photos of you at Santa Anita. You look FIERCE!! =]
carl greg
dearest zenyatta. im writing you to let u know that in this day an age when the world is turning. an coming to its darkest times. there is a ray of sunlight beaming down an the hopes of the racing world has become a dream again the sport of kings became the sport of queens. we are truely blessed to have had watched you kick some royal butt. an become what you are an have become, an hopes that lil zen will give us the same an higher levels of what you have given us thank you.
Shanda Hooton
Hey Pretty Girl, It was another perfect Spring Sunday here in NW Arkansas…hope your Sunday was great too. The billboard is AMAZING just like you. Be very proud! Take care all!
Marissa
The photo of you on that billboard is stunning! You always look so lovely, Zen. I’m glad to hear that you’re doing well. <3
Kim S
I haven’t posted in several days but have been keeping up with your diary, Zenny.
Wish we could have a billboard of you and Mike in every city. But then again, that wouldn’t be enough. :) We all just can’t get enough of you and your wonderful connections. Spring has sprung pretty girl, so you and your BBF’s enjoy the weather and Kentucky Bluegrass.
Lotsa love to everyone
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
hope the day treated you well, with an easy pace, a little bit of sunshine on your back and a gentle breeze on your face. How are you paddock pals?
One question for the ones in the know:
Some of the discussions here were regarding surplus horses
What happens if you don’t breed a mare but also leave her intact? I have never heard of a mare being spayed, yet if you don’t spay a dam or queen and do not breed them, often they will experience uterine complications requiring hysterectomies after all. Would not breeding mean removal of mares’ reproductive organs also? Thanks.
Well, Zetty, nightfall is upon us again, the stars are a twinkling, yes, and my dog needs tinkling, so I bid you good night and wish for you dreams of all you favorites. :) :) :)
Yvonne and Maurice Kirby
Hi Zenyatta, just got back from Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs. I am so glad you posted the picture on the billboard – you look fabulous, as always. Had a great time, sorry Blind Luck did not win; The Factor was awesome, so was ArchArchArch. Gonna be a great Derby! Of course, one of the first things I did upon returning home was to go to your website – missed your diary entries so much. What a great idea for a contest to win your gorgeous bronze sculpture. So happy you are feeling great, eating well and having such fun with your BBFs. You are so special, an Angel in Disguise. Good nite.
Signofthetimes
@Sunny Boyd
Great questions. The do not remove mares reproductive
Organs for population control. Abdominal surgery
In horses is very dangerous. They just cycle like
Humans and I guess go through somesort of
Menopause when fertility decreases. Some mares when
In season are not very pleasant and they can have hormonal
Problems and uterine cramping etc. Like humans
They have varying responses when coming into
Season. That is where the term marish comes in.
When they act more hormonal the can be termed
Marish (acting very female; cranky not wanting to
Move forward when being ridden etc.
Signofthetimes
@Sunny Boyd
Mares actually don’t have menopause like humans.
Their fertility declines. They may cycle forever or
Stop cycling dependbon the mare. Even though not
Fertile they can still have mating behaviors if stimulated
By a stallion or gelding. My TB loved to have girlfriends
He was gelded but really enjoyed mare company. We had
A very marsh horse at the barn that came up to him after
My lesson in the ring. She approached him very flirtatiously
And he came up to her very sweetly. He is now 28 and he
Has paired up with a very fiery younger mare that has
Been retired for a few years ad she was fairly unridable. Just
A very difficult challenging mare. Some horses Do not
Enjoy being ridden and may not enjoy their job so it
Is important to find them the correct job.
audreyc
@ Dawn
Your Mom telling the doctors that she had to be ready to take a trip to Kentucky to meet Zenyatta, says it all….and your love for your Mom is the food to feed her purpose. I will send positive thoughts and prayers to you and your Mom. I would like to imbibe a bit, if I may, for, in the end, a higher purpose will transcend a multitude of physical things. My father was not in the best of health, with a huge emoblism close to his heart (a real time bomb), heart disease, and eighty years old…but he insisted on caring for my Mom, also 80, at the end of terminal liver cancer, in their one and only, marital home. Although we had nurses aides, and help, during the day, my father refused anyone there at night – as this woman was his wife of 50 years, and he, and he only – would be the one to stay with her – rubbing her back, lifting her – often 10 times a night, for her to relieve herself, and consoling her. It was his purpose. After my Mom passed, my father lost his will to live, and he died peacefully, one year later (also on hospice- at home, with us, his children , around him). However – the point is, I remember my father saying – despite his own physical problems – that, had my mother lived, he could have gone on another ten years, taking care of her.
So – there you go. You & your Mom WILL travel to Kentucky, and I wish, more than anything – that her will and joy in this life will remain strong….
Also, it does not surprise me that an animal, such as Zenyatta (whose everything about her, inspired Dottie, to write for her), would be the impetus for a support system. Animals are intelligent in many ways. They may know nothing of finance, and money, but they are closer to the earth, and have a wisdom that, by far, transcends ours. I look forward to hearing about you & your Mom’s trip to Kentucky in July, and I wish her much sunshine, and a heart filled with purpose.
Signofthetimes
Thanks soooo much for the coloring book
Link. It is sooo cute. What a great project
For the teachers to use for fun in class. Teach
Those children about horses and racing. Soon
To be new track fans.
Gerrie P.
I relive your glory days often. The billboard of you and Mike bring it all back again.
Z, you are the Queen. There is no other like you. NONE!
mars
here is a video basically courtesy of Ann Maree. Enjoy the ride. Of course the rumpus we all know and love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmE_efaFZZE&feature=related
mars
another fix. The life of a celebrity.
I feel confident saying Z is comfortable now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsJ7TjTcm10&feature=related
mars
sort of like me washing my standard poodle’s feet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1-ivpLcPnw&feature=related
mars
just one little more indulgence down memory lane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C2kaIKTf3w&feature=related
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Queen Z,
I loved the billboard photo! It brought back such wonderful moments that I will never forget. My husband and I drove over twelve hundred miles from Texas to Oaklawn to watch you run in the 2010 Apple Blossom. The day of the race was our 39th wedding anniversary and we celebrated it with your fabulous victory! The memory of that day and seeing you up close still brings tears to my eyes. Thank you, dear Z, for all that you’ve brought to me and my family’s life. We love you.
Hope your coming week is full of fun and plenty of treats! :)
Much love and kisses,
Stel
Mary
Dearest Zenyatta
It is so kind of you to keep us updated with your life after racing, as you know you have many fans and so often our Champions move on to something else and we sit sadly wishing we could just know whats goin on in their life…you have always been special and loveing and to do this diary just shows so much heart. Thank you Zenyatta, and all those that make this happen…I am going to Santa Anita for my honeymoon next month and I am wearing all my Zenyatta shirts…its the first time I’ve been there in years that you won’t be there:(
One of my friends painted a tee shirt with your picture on it, your name across the front…I have not worn it yet as I am saving it for our special occassion, but its BEAUTIFUL, and it has your name on the haulter and it looks just like you. I am marring a really great guy, he loves you too.
I LOVE YOU ZENYATTA.
Barbara Wood
2audreyc–thanks for the beautiful testimony about your parents. What an example!
@Stella Bagwell– we came from Texas to the Apple Blossom too. Wasn’t it GREAT???I was really glad Rachel wasn’t there, because the stress lkevel would have been unbearable.
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny:
Happy Monday! It was fun taking a trip down memory lane this morning watching videos of your races. You were so fantastic. I bet there will be other billboards with your picture advertising racing events. You got the people out to the race track! We love you Zenny!
Cj Blevins
Hi Z…love the story about your treats..I like treats too..but I cannot carry off having them as well as you!!! You are an amazing living work of art..cannot get enough of just seeing your movements..and your grace..perfect in every way..looking forward to everything good for you..You are everything good to me..Bless your heart..xx on your sweet nose and hugs around your lovely neck..and thank you Dottie for your help letting us know how Our Darlin Girl is doing ..love you too!! xx
Sunny Boyd
Good morning Zenyatta,
it’s too late for breakfast by now, I bet you’re out and about flossing your perlies with blue grass blades. Yummy :) :) :)
Have a great day!
@Signofthetimes
thanks for the info.
So keeping mares intact while not breeding them does not effect their female reproductive health, they just have more hormonal cycles with the accompanying mare moods which may or may not be easy to live with for their people? That’s quite interesting.
Another question:
Do horses get emotionally attached to their people, and who’s is more dependent the mare or stallion/gelding? Thanks.
Stephanie Quilichini
Super Excited about the contest! Ready for the address! I bet you will get tons of postcards!!