A prize and a gift

Last week, I found out that I was a winner in Gundiva's "suck it up" contest- and the prize is a gift certificate to Horse and Wildlife Gifts; and let me tell you, I had a tough time choosing what to get! Just when I thought I found what I wanted, I'd open another page, and change my mind! I ended up ordering two items; a mare & foal card holder and a napkin holder with artwork by Alberta artist, Bernie Brown- one of my favorite artists. Thanks, Gundiva and Rebecca for the contest and prize!
Summer is in full swing now, and since there is a fire ban on, I can't use the smudge pot any more; but the mosquitoes have died down considerably. I spotted a couple of horse flies today, so I guess it will go from one misery to the next for the horses.
Rio is really shedding now, and I'm not taking any photos of him for a while because I want to surprise you with the cool color he will be. I said a while ago that watching him shed was like unwrapping a gift, not sure what it will be. Here are a couple of teaser pics to hold you for a bit....

Just can't wait.... I've been out there with my rubber Grooma brush scrubbing all that yellow baby hair off. He loves it, and Gussie gets jealous, she wants grooming too!
Speaking of Gussie, I tried her out carrying the flag too, and she was awesome. I'm thinking she will be the parade horse. Of course, she's in foal, at least we hope so, and I don't think there are any parades nearby to put her in this year, but she'll do the job when we need her to.
Ted and I are planning on going to the Calgary Stampede for July 16th, and hopefully we can meet up with some of our blog friends that weekend.