Sharlene
called me today to tell us that Zen passed away March 31, 2009, quietly
in his sleep.
She
wanted us to know how great he had been doing- he had learned flying changes
and was just about ready to show 3rd level dressage. I would like
to express my sincere condolences to Sharlene for her extreme loss of such
a stunning horse with a loving character.
I
know how hard it was for me to say goodbye to Zen 2 years ago, when he
was sold.
I
can only imagine what Sharlene is going through right now.
I
am so happy that Zen and Sharlene found each other and to know he was loved
each and every day, even though his life was much shorter than it should
have been.
In
Praise Of The Horse Tribute
To The Human/Equine Bond I'm
still Here- Author Unknown
Please
don't mourn for me, I'm
still here, though you don't see. I'm
right by your side each night and day, and
within your heart I long to stay.
My
body is gone, but I'm always near. I'm
everything you feel, see or hear. My
spirit is free, but I'll never depart, as
long as you keep me alive in your heart.
I'll
never wander out of your sight, I'm
the brightest star on a summer night. I'll
never be beyond your reach, I'm
the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.
I'm
the colorful leaves, when fall comes around, and
the pure white snow that blankets the ground. I'm
the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond, the
clear cool water in a quiet pond.
I'm
the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring, the
first warm raindrop that April will bring. I'm
the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine, and
you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.
When
you start thinking there's no one to love you, you
can talk to me through the Lord above you I'll
whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees, and
you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.
I'm
the hot salty tears that flow when you weep and
the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep. I'm
the smile you see on a baby's face. Just
look for me, I'm every place.
Here
is a reference letter from Sharlene after she first got him to her
home:
Hi
Sue ,I love love love Zen !!!!!! He has settled in very well !! We
are having sooooo much fun riding him and getting to know him.Everytime
I go out to the barn I cant believe he is really mine !!! He already knows
my voice when I come into the barn and
calls to me(it could be because of all the treats).I will have update on
photos next week.I can't thank you enough for helping me find my guy ZEN.
Sharlene
thum
Update
from Sharlene on May 18, 2008:
Hi Sue ,Wanted to send you some
pictures of Zen.We just took him to his first schooling
show to see how he would handle everything.He did better
than we thought he would. Zens training is going very
well !!!! Not sure what level we will
bring him out at yet. We just love him and are having
a blast with him. Sharlene
May,
2008 - Sharlene and Gooitzen
May,
2008
May,
2008
Here
are some new photos of Zen at his new home in Texas from August 2007:
Photo
taken March 19, 2007
Photo
taken March 19, 2007
Photo
taken March 19, 2007
Photo
taken March 19, 2007
Photo
taken March 19, 2007
Photo
taken March 19, 2007
Photo
taken March 19, 2007
Photo
taken March 19, 2007
Photo
taken March 19, 2007
Photo
taken March 19, 2007
Photo
taken March 19, 2007
Gooitzen (taken Nov 18, 2006)
Photo by Sue Zoltner
"Zen" took top honors at the 2006
Eugene Oregon keuring when he won Grand Champion Gelding and Grand Champion
Overall!!!
Click here
to see a video of Gooitzen in the keuring
Look at his SCORES from the keuring!!!!!
He got a total of 106, which is is INCREDIBLE- 100 is average. His lowest
mark was a 104... unbelievable.
You could tell he loved to show
off for the audience and his trot was absolutely breathtaking! The judges
could not stop talking about him afterwards.
Zen is 16.3 hands tall and
has a commanding presence whether it is in the stable, in the show ring,
or galloping in the pasture- no one can take their eyes off him.
He is actually better in person than in these photos. He has 3 totally
awe inspiring gaits and unlimited potential!!!
He has a really short shiny coat
and he looks as if he was just clipped- however that is just the way he
is naturally. He doesn't get a winter coat and he also likes to stay
really clean to achieve that look like he is ready for a photo shoot at
any time.
Click here
to see a video of Gooitzen at liberty (taken Nov 18, 2006)
Gooitzen was a stallion candidate
that made it to the third round but didn't pass the semen motility
test, so we gelded him and imported him. He did however, pass the
strict requirements on xrays, so he was as clean on xrays....
He has a certificate from the FPS saying that he was clean on xrays, signed
by their veterinarian.
Gooitzen (taken Nov 18, 2006)
Photo by Sue Zoltner
Gooitzen (taken Nov 18, 2006)
Photo by Sue Zoltner
Gooitzen (taken Nov 18, 2006)
Photo by Sue Zoltner
Gooitzen (taken Nov 18, 2006)
Photo by Sue Zoltner
Gooitzen (taken Nov 18, 2006)
Photo by Sue Zoltner
Gooitzen (taken Nov 18, 2006)
Photo by Sue Zoltner
Gooitzen (taken Nov 18, 2006)
Photo by Sue Zoltner
Gooitzen (taken Nov 18, 2006)
Photo by Sue Zoltner
Photo by Mary Cornelius
Gooitzen (taken Oct 29, 2006)
Photo by Sue Zoltner
'
Gooitzen (taken Oct 29, 2006)
Photo by Sue Zoltner
Gooitzen won overall Champion at
the 2006 Eugene Oregon keuring
Photo by Ken Kirkham
Welmoed (left) and Gooitzen
(right), both sired by Heinse and both owned by Legacy Friesians owner,
Sue Zoltner, competed for the top honor, overall grand champion, at the
2006 Eugene Oregon keuring Welmoed won Grand Champion mare
and Reserve Champion overall Gooitzen won Grand Champion
Gelding and Overal Grand Champion Welmoed is now owned by Elsa
of Bremerton WA Photo by Ken Kirkham
Gooitzen, 2006 Eugene Oregon
keuring Photo by Ken Kirkham
Gooitzen, 2006 Eugene Oregon
keuring Photo by Ken Kirkham
Gooitzen, 2006 Eugene Oregon
keuring Photo by Ken Kirkham
Gooitzen, 2006 Eugene Oregon
keuring Photo by Ken Kirkham
Gooitzen and Sue Zoltner, 2006
Eugene Oregon keuring Photo by Ken Kirkham
Results from the FHANA page:
Zen
has an incredibly low inbreeding coefficient of 0.9766, and is "full
papered". He is very tall especially for his age, at 16.3 hands.
His sire, Heinse 354, already has produced 2 approved sons, Bente 412 and
Wisse 408. Heinse 354 is a stellar stallion and is getting consistent
scores in the high 60s in 4th level dressage. He was the Dutch Friesian
Driving Champion for 2 years, and
the Dutch Friesian Champion Stallion 3 years... Additionally, his
daughter was the Champion Mare at the FPS Central Keuring!
Zen's damsire, Tsjomme 329 has produced one Approved son, Jelte 365.
Photo by Mary Cornelius
Photos from when Zen was a 3 year
old in Holland:
Here
was the announcement that Gooitzen, had been selected on his 1st viewing
(December 2nd), to go on to the second viewing, the 2006 stallion show
'
