Who Is Zenyatta?

A Horse is a Horse – Of Course – unless She is the Famous Zenyatta

Last fall Wire Works Custom Jewelry was contacted by Vicki Rossi, Jockey Mike Smiths assistant, and commissioned to do a special design Mane Name Necklace in honor of Zenyatta.  At the time, Master Wire Artist, Jim Thompson didn’t know Zenyatta from any other horse.  But after a bit of research, discovered that she is quite a horse – of course!  According to many racing enthusiast, she may very well be the greatest filly in horse racing history.  With much input and coordination with Vicki, Wire Works came up with a design that depicted this beautiful animal.

Owned by Jerry and Ann Moss and trained by John Shirreffs, Zenyatta won 19 out of 20 career races and has been named the 2010 Eclipse Award ‘Horse of the Year’.  She was taller than most of her opponents at 17.2  hands or 5′ 7″ tall – and carried 1,200 pounds on her frame while racing. According to a 201060 Minutes report, Zenyatta was purchased as a yearling at the low price of $60,000 because she suffered from a form of ringworm.   During her career she won purses totaling over $7 million making her the all-time North American female money-earner. Featured in W Magazine and the New York Times in 2010, she has been called “hard to beat, and harder to ignore”.   At this time The great Zenyatta has retired in lap of luxury and has a serious ‘beau’.

Zenyatta’s team seems to be having as much if not more fun now with the 2010 Horse of the Year as when she was racing.  About 15 days ago, Zenyatta was temed up in the breeding shed with the top freshman sire in the states, Bernardini, who won 6 of his 8 starts and is a son of A.P. Indy.

Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, wife of Zenyatta’s former trainer, John, is tracking Zenyatta’s progress in getting pregnant and composing the blog as if theZenyatta were penning it herself.

This post was on the website Thursday:

“I AM IN FOAL!”

“This is my 15-day scan! From what I am told, everything looks fabulous and solid. The embryo looks to be a good size. So, at this time, everything is WONDERFUL!”

“I will be rescanned at about 28 days and if that is all A-OK, my next scan will be at the 40-42 day time period from the date I was bred. As Dottie explained to you earlier, the latter scan is really very important. If all is perfect at that time, then I am pretty well on my way in my pregnancy. This is all so exciting and so new to me! I JUST LOVE IT!”

“Hmmm! I just had a thought! Lately, I have been craving BANANAS. It seems like that is all I’ve been thinking about for the last few days! I guess this could explain why. Dottie tells me craving some type of food is very normal for humans while pregnant. Maybe it is for horses like me too.”

“HOOVES CROSSED for the news on my next scan to be just as POSITIVE!

“With Love,”

“HUGS and Big Kisses to All,”

“Z” …

As you can imagine the entire crew at Wire Works Custom Jewelry was honored to have been chosen to design this beautiful necklace in Sterling Silver for Zenyatta.    Who knows, maybe a special design for Mom and Foal would be in order!

Wire Works is Headed to Missouri – Horse Fest 2011

March 11th starts this years Horse Fest in Springfield, MO.

Wire Works Custom Jewelry will be one of the featured vendors for the second year and will be displaying and making a new selection of Equestrian, Western, and Ranch Brand Jewelry. They will be showing items designed for all Horse & Mule Lovers as well as items for the Barrel Racers, 4H and FFA Enthusiast and Rodeo Fans.  There are even name necklaces, rings, belly charms, and anklet bracelets designed for the non-horse person that might be accompanying family or friends to the show.

One of the interesting things about attending this type of horse show is the opportunity to design new jewelry for people who either attend or are showing their own product lines.  One such opportunity happened in about 1998 when Craig Kime, featured wire artist for Wire Works,  was a neighbor to fellow show vendor Dale Myler.  Dale is a brother to Bob Myler who is one of the clinicians at this years Horse Fest.  Back in the day, the Myler brothers were promoting their now popular Myler Bit by setting up booths at several of the major horse events across the USA.  Well, as things go, Dale asked if  Wire Works Custom Jewelry could create an item of jewelry from the design of the then new Myler Bit.  The bit was brought to the jewelry and a new design was born and continues to be one of the very popular items that is displayed and sold in the Wire Works booth.  Be sure and drop by to see the Myler Bits as well as snaffle bit and D bits designed by wire artist Jim Thompson.

If you are not familiar with the Myler Bit be sure and drop by their booth or visit their web site: Myler Bits USA

Bob Myler of Myler Bits will be giving demonstrations in the East Hall.  On Friday, a powerpoint presentation will be given on: Bits – Why I Believe They Can Either Hinder of Enhance A Training Program.  Round pen demonstrations will be given on Saturday & Sunday.  The topics discussed: Bitting & Horsemanship, Working Together, Leadership, Preparing Horse for Bit, & Introducing Bit & Adjustments.

2011 Horsefest Events & Clinician Lineup:

Ken McNabb & Family, Bob Myler, Saddle Fitting With Jacki Thomas, Barrel Racing Clinic – Dawn Dawson, Performance Horse Judging Clinic, Southwest Missouri Hunter Jumper Association (SMHJA) Riding & Jumping Demo, Packing Your Horse For The Trail: Virgil Bruner, Most Everything You Would Ever Want To Know About A Mule: Ben Tennison, Miss Rodeo Missouri Pageant.

Other activities of interest include:

Ultimate Horsemen’s Challenge, Horsefest Shoot-Out, NBHA Barrel Racing Showdown and Cowboy Church

Saddle Up for Horse Fest