Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ziconic

Welcome to Templeton Farms, Ziconic’s New Home

Gina Bornino Miller, Owner Templeton Farms, & Ziconic (PC Linda R. Moss)

Dear Fans,

We hope you have had a wonderful Summer! So many of you have asked about Templeton Farms and possible visits – while we are not yet ready for visitors, we excited to share with you a typical day in Ziconic’s OTTB life at a working Sport Horse Farm.

Templeton Farms Equestrian (TFE) is the realization of our good friend, Gina Bornino Miller’s dream to build a World-Class Sport Horse Training, Sales, and Breeding Facility for both horses and their riders along the California Central Coast. Dream Realized! On this beautiful 52-acre farm Gina and her late husband, Bill, built TFE along the Salinas aquifer, Templeton, CA. We believe that both horses and humans thrive here. In fact, Milyone, Zenyatta’s racing stablemate, has called TFE home for 7 ½ years.

One of the things we love about TFE is it is very welcoming, and horses settle in quickly. Ziconic is no different, he has quickly become right at home and is making friends – he constantly reminds us he is a very quick learner!

For us, when we arrive at the Farm, we immediately transcend into an equestrian experience that is at the intersection of horsey heaven, dressage and hunter/jumper athleticism, exceptional trainers, grooms, staff, and community.

Templeton Farms Entry Gate (PC Linda R. Moss)

TFE has 3 types of boarding; Ziconic lives in the Main Barn, which houses 24 spacious stalls with individual runs so the horses can freely walk outside – like having a private patio with your neighbors next door. Amenities in the barn include indoor and outdoor cross ties for grooming/tacking and bathing, theraplate, solarium, and personal tack lockers. And the team of grooms – which makes all this happen – are wonderful people with exceptional experience.

TFE Main Barn Isle (PC: Linda R. Moss)
Ziconic Enjoying His Walk-Out (PC: Linda R. Moss)

Ziconic starts his day about 6:00am when he goes on the walker for 1 hour. This gives him the opportunity to wake up, stretch his legs after being in his stall for the night, and work off some energy. This KRAFT walker is unique as it is an oval, so the horses are not walking on a circle the entire time which is better for their legs, joints, and natural balance.

Sarah and Ziconic at the Walker (PC: Linda R. Moss)

After Ziconic finishes on the walker, he comes in to eat his breakfast and relax. About 9:00am, Ziconic goes out for morning grass turnout. Templeton Farms is one of the only equestrian facilities in California that has grass pastures all year round – we feel very lucky as this natural state is so good for Ziconic’s overall health, digestion, and well-being just grazing for the morning.

Ziconic Enjoying His Morning Pasture Turnout (PC: Linda R. Moss)

About 12:00pm, Ziconic comes in for lunch and has some time to relax before he has his daily exercise, Monday through Friday. About 2:00pm his Trainer, Sarah Pollock who we introduced in July 2019, will start grooming and tacking Ziconic for his workout.

Ziconic & Sarah and Milyone & Mikayla Getting Ready for Exercise (PC: Linda R. Moss)

Depending on day of the week, weather, and how Ziconic is doing in his training program, Sarah and Ziconic have a variety of options to leverage! She will gauge each day what is best suited for Ziconic’s progress. He usually starts his work with a walk around part of the 1-mile track which weaves throughout the Farm. Just like us humans, this warms him up.

Earlier in the week, they may work in the round pen or occasionally the free jump shoot. Mondays tend to be less structured work after having Saturday and Sunday off with just walker and grass turnout.

Ziconic Free Jumping with Sarah And Some Help From Virginia & Tiffany (Video Credit: Linda R. Moss)

Usually a day a week, also influenced by weather, Ziconic gets to work on the flat in the covered arena. Here he and Sarah can focus on their lead changes, balance, and building consistency with Ziconic’s gates. This is also fun as Ziconic gets to look at himself in the mirrors!

Ziconic & Sarah Perfecting Their Flat Work (Video Credit: Mikayla Vosseller)

We think Ziconic’s favorite work is when he can go in one of the two outdoor jumping courts and, in his mind, PLAY! It is here that they work on cavaletties and poles, low level jumps as Ziconic learns, and different gates and patterns around the jumps.

Ziconic & Sarah Working on Agility Over Poles (Video Credit: Linda R. Moss)

Lastly depending on weather, Sarah and Ziconic will either walk the track or go in the covered arena to cool down. And now for the TRUE FUN – bath time! During the warm, summer months Ziconic gets hosed down and groomed every day after his workout.

Ziconic Enjoying Playing with Sarah During His Bath (Video Credit: Linda R. Moss)

Typically, Ziconic finishes his bath and grooming by 3:30 or 4:00pm, returns to his stall to relax, and dinner is typically fed around 4:30pm. The horses are then in for the night.

Ziconic In His Stall Enjoying Dinner (PC: Linda R. Moss)

We are forever grateful to Gina and Templeton Farms; without them, we do not know of another West Coast Sport Horse Farm of this caliber, multiple trainer options, and special community.

Ziconic Taking in The Templeton Farms Sky with Senaido, TFE Head Groom (PC: Linda R. Moss)

Reader Interactions

183 Comments

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      What an absolutely gorgeous photo of Enable and Frankie. Whatever her connections decide; she has nothing to prove. A Champion for the Ages.

      Love the name Buildmeupbuttercup; loved the song too. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Thanks for posting this wonderful photo of Enable and Frankie — truly magnificent mare!
      Best of everything to her, and yes, she has absolutely nothing to prove. What a champion among all champions!

      I agree with Judy about the name Buildmeupbuttercup. I, too, love the song. ?

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      I’m with Judy and Marshall. Love that name and the song! Also, Enable is a champion and if she never runs again, her place in history is established.

      Isn’t it something that the mares have been the real heros in racing in the last few years. Thank goodness they stay racing past their 3 year old season. Fans need someone to get close to, love and cheer for. Thank goodness for Zenyatta, Beholder, Black Caviar and Enable.

  3. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Wow, looks a lot like Dad. Love that side eye to the camera. Thanks for sharing. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,

      Thanks for the Steve Haskin article! Omaha Beach seems to define the quality of versatility. He is exceedingly adaptable. Mike and OB are quite a pair! All the best of luck and good health to Omaha Beach and the incomparable Mike Smith.

      Hugs and Love

  6. / Reply

    Dear Judy.Godolphin certainly spent a bob or 2 .today.Beautiful horses though.Hope life is getting back to normal on the farm now.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

  8. / Reply

    Sheena, the video had me laughing out loud. Thanks.

    Ziconic looks so good and happy.

    Did anyone read about Quick Call, who lived to the ripe old age of 35?

  9. / Reply

    I will never understand the Longines World rankingsEnable now shares top spot with Waldergeist and Crystal Ocean is back there again.He only won one group 1 race and is now retired.Even the mighty Winx had to share her no 1 spot wit Cracksman .
    There are rumours Enable may come out to the US for the Breeders cup.We should know what her future plans are next week.All power to the fillies/mares!

  10. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Haven’t gotten the OK yet from Angela that the quarantine’s lifted. Soon as I do, I’m going to visit my boy.

    Wonderful video of your boy. He is a sweet, gentle soul and gorgeous.

    OMG, Enable coming to SA for the BC; outstanding!

    I have to agree, I don’t understand how they determine the rankings either. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  12. / Reply

    Has anyone heard anything about why the Forum is down? I sure miss following the daily updates and comments by the Forum members. I really hope it is activated again and not closed permanently!

    (Note: I’m Bleubetty in the Forum)

    • / Reply

      Poor Hovis. This is worrisome news — another abscess. I do hope he gets healthy soon and stays abscess-free. Healing thoughts and prayers for our boy.

      Hugs and Love

  17. / Reply

    Ziconic’s New home is gorgeous looks like both Zenny’s boys have landed on all 4 hooves in a great new career.

    I too miss the forums too The Foal Patrol Blog was also down with a major issue but today they solved it so hoping the issue with the forum is soon fixed as well I think it may be due to the discontinuing of Flash Player as many of the Videos used Flash to run. However it would be ice if we were told something so we don’t clog up Ziconics blog entry with Forum type comments.

  18. / Reply

    Oh so wonderful to see Ziconic living a wonderful life. He is just so beautiful and I am happy he is doing what I think he enjoys and with great people.
    Love to you Ziconic,
    Auntie Sally B

  19. / Reply

    Ziconic appears so very happy and relaxed here. But still the “show off brat” of the barn perhaps. Love Queen Z and her babies!

  22. / Reply

    Have watched Ziconic since day he was foaled and fell in love with him. He just didn’t have what it took to be a race horse but I think he would make a pretty good dressage candidate. He sparkles when he walks. I will keep watching this amazing Red Prince.

  23. / Reply

    I am just thrilled to see Ziconic doing so well and enjoying everything around him. He is such a gorgeous boy and I truly am so grateful of the love toward him as I love him so much myself. He is a Zenyatta boy!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.