Littlest person ever to trot out of spite
Ren spent much of Mare’s first horse show glaring.
Ren — and this may be quite a shock — can be a jealous little thing.
“When it gonna be my turn to be in a show? When can I get a ribbon? MOMMA WHY SISSY GET TO DO DIS AND I DON’T???”
“When you’re older,” I soothed. “When you’re bigger. WHEN YOU CAN FREAKING POST A TROT, MY FRIEND.”
“Huh?”
“You have to trot. And you have to post. — That means go up and down in the saddle. You have to do that before you can be in a show.”
So there we were at the very next horse lesson. Ren got her obligatory pony ride, where everyone patronized her and told her it was a “lesson” — and she glared some more and shouted, “TROT!” -Forward the horse went and before anyone knew what was happening …
“Liz … she’s posting,” her wide-eyed instructor said.
“For God’s sake, don’t let go of her,” I answered.
“Momma!” Ren shouted from the saddle. “Now I do da show?”
“Don’t be silly,” I said.
“I don’t know how to tell you this,” the instructor said. “But she qualifies.”
“Yeah, but, if I buy show gear and pay entry fee for a two-year old that would make me –”
A chump.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I love her SPUNKINESS!!!!
You better hold on tight when she hits the teenage years~ Lord have mercy that is going to be quite a ride! 
August 13th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
She is so very cute in her outfit.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
OK, how do I add Ren’s future blog to my blogroll? This is hilarious. “TROT!”
August 13th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
awwwww that’s soo cute!!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
The coat! The dimples! The ribbons (in her hair and the one she won)! ADORABLE!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Okay, really she did what you said she had to. How could you say no? And dear gracious those tiny little riding clothes are friggin adorable.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
heh, chump
Love it!!!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
This is hysterical and terrifying all at once. Time to come up with a less practical reasons why she can’t do things sissy can do…
When I can’t come up with a good reason in my classroom, why for example, 7th grade students aren’t allowed to do things like drink soda, while I, the teacher am drinking my obligatory Diet Coke at that horrible 2:30 hour, I tell them, “when you get a degree, you can do whatever you want, until then, only people with degrees can have
soda.”
August 13th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Oh dear God.
That is so cute it is completely painful.
PAIN. FULL.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
You probably know this already, but you’re in for a world of hurt when those girls are teenagers.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
The dimples make me want to squidge her - good job Ren!
August 13th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
horseback riding is the best thing in the world for her. plus she looks adorable in that jacket!
August 13th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
That’s freakin’ awesome. Go her and her determination.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I’ve said it before and I will say it again…I am so glad you don’t live near me so that my Matthew and Ren can’t meet…I can just laugh…laugh…laugh. Big sis learned how to read here last year….I have two readers now. Gotta love determination.
August 14th, 2008 at 2:18 am
BWAHAHAHA I told you so, dear God above I told you so BWHAHAHA
August 14th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Way to go Renna and Mary and Liz! Happy Birthday to Cute Husband!!! Wish we could have seen it in person, but watching them last week was AWESOME!! We are also sorry we did not have a video camera for their impromptu “two woman” rendition of “High School Musical”.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:36 am
HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that kid!!
August 14th, 2008 at 9:52 am
A chump with the cutest lil equestrians in the UNIVERSE!
Go Roo!
August 14th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I admire Ren’s determination! She really knows how to set a goal and go for it. You maybe shouldn’t let her watch too much of the Olympics unless you are prepared to raise a diver or gymnast. Her competitive nature might be awakened even more. Heck even my un-athletic behind is inspired by all of it!
You might be a chump, BUT then you’re a chump with two capable and excruciatingly adorable daughters. And that’s not so bad. =)
August 14th, 2008 at 10:27 am
OMG she is so CUTE.
And is Mare okay with it?
August 14th, 2008 at 10:57 am
That is just too fantastic on so many levels!!!
Olympics 2024 here she comes!
August 14th, 2008 at 11:50 am
“that would make me a chump”. Nah - that makes you a Horse Show Mother. I saw a lot of them when I was showing my horse decades ago. Your kids will learn so much than how to ride; they’ll make new friends, and learn about winning and losing, and responsibility. I still have fond memories of my “horse days”. I also still have a crooked toe and a shoulder that aches, but it was all worth it. My congrats to your young equestrians.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:57 am
So cute! No way would I have been able to resist the adorable riding gear.
Becky
August 14th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
She’s cute as, well, a penny–but I also wondered if Mare isn’t somewhat miffed to have her moment …..diluted, or something. Kinda too late, since you bought the jacket and all, but does Ren really have do everything Mare does? And Mare doesn’t mind? (Forgive me for asking, but I did not have sisters.)
August 14th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Unbelievably cute, that Ren. Mary too– I loved your post about her blue ribbon and the picture of her amazing smile. You must be a pround mama for sure!
August 14th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Roo. Only Roo. God love her.
August 14th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Ren is so friggin pleased with herself! LOVE IT. And I love that you let your girls be exactly who they are. Superstars!
August 14th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Oh my holy cuteness. How could you not buy her that outfit when she’s so perfect in it! Way to go little Roo. I just love her spirit.
August 14th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
WAY too cute! And love that she just commanded a 1000 pound animal to “trot”, and trot it did. Who are you to say no to that kind of power??
August 14th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
That’s about the cutest thing I’ve seen..ever.
August 14th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Well….you told her she had to post…..sooooooo. Better start giving age requirements from now on….
August 14th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Just to cut the fright a bit, I was (according to my mother) like Ren as a little kid. I taught my older sister how to open a door, and was riding a two-wheeler (without the training wheels) six months after my second birthday. My mom said all hell broke out if you let me get bored. BUT. I was a perfect teenager. So there is hope.
August 14th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
“Does Ren really have do everything Mare does?/How did Mare take it?”
It was not a difficult decision to support Ren’s desire to show. First, because I had given my word; second, because I think it is basic human decency to give her the chance she won fair and square.
I will never succeed at holding Ren back for Mare’s sake. If I try that, I’ll have one frustrated, resentful child, and one threatened one. I told Mare it was all right to be jealous, and fine to be sad. But that in our family no one ever roots against another member of the family. She had to cheer for the Doodle and wish her the best.
Mare did that. And she got a chance to be the one watching on the sidelines, and that’s really good for both of them.
August 14th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I think you make a great point about it being good for Mare to be the one on the sidelines every now and then rooting for Sissie. Sibling relationships are a murky, mucky, complicated beast, but you cannot light one’s candle by diminishing another’s, so to speak. The earlier they learn that, that they can shine regardless of the other and still be supportive and kind and nurturing of each other’s dreams, the happier and more successful they will be. Sounds like you are doing a fantastic job with that life lesson.
And besides, who can say NO to that face? Ren will be running the country by the time she’s 5. God help us all. You’re are only hope, Liz …
August 14th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
A quick question that just occurred to me: Who does Ren remind you most of in your family? You? Your husband? Another family member?
There must be a bit of a genetic link somewhere!!!
August 14th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I love Roo, she makes me want to come to the US - her and some weird desire to go on Drew Careys Price is Right.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I love that last picture of Ren…she just looks so satisfied with herself! The hat is so cute on her, too!!! This girl will rule the world someday…nobody ever tells her that she “can’t” achieve something…it is just normal for her, and it seems as though she is fearless!
August 14th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
What else could you do, DaChump? Those girls are amazing. I’m guessing they get it from you.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Right on letting Ren go for it! I agree that sibling relationships can be sticky things. My sister often enjoyed trying out the things that I could do, and while it sometimes frustrated me, overall it was fine. Eventually, we each found our own things, and shared some activities (which necessitated a wary truce sometimes). I was very independent and always needed to find my own thing, which resulted in me trying a number of hobbies and sports solely because I knew my sister wouldn’t want to do them… and then enjoying them for their own sake. Never underestimate the power of sibling “rivalry” - it has its good points as well as bad!
August 14th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Wow - you are very smart. I also, wondered about Mare’s thoughts. I’m constantly impressed by your insights. You can screw up, laugh and admit your faults, but you really have it together when it comes to your philosphies. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Just wondered what the straps are around their calves? Are those attached to the saddle for safety? I’ve never seen little kids ride so I’m really curious
Did Ren show in a show then? How often are shows? Great photos..she’s a cute lil ham for the photos 
August 15th, 2008 at 7:13 am
You just don’t listen, do you? Have you figured out the cost of a full season for 2?
And just wait until they are in two different events in two rings at the same time! You’ll be sorry!
August 15th, 2008 at 7:39 am
And now even horses know about Roo…
August 15th, 2008 at 8:41 am
JWG — No, I haven’t figured the full cost for a season for two. But it’s okay, if things get bad, we can sell the little one, cut our costs in half, and make back what we need for the big one.
Yeah, even horses know about Roo. As long as I live I will never forget the sight of her trotting past me, barely keeping her seat, stared at by 5 million complete strangers, grinning like a total idiot.
Mel, the straps around her calves are called “garters.” Each show level has a specific uniform, and for the littlies it includes those garters, which protect their knees from chafing where they meet the saddle.
August 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Wow!
August 15th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Love it! I can so see myself doing the same thing. My girls are 4 and 18months and I’m waiting for the moment when the younger notices that the older does all kind of fun looking stuff and I don’t. Then I’m really going to be busy. And broke.
Thanks for the laugh this morning. Your girls are amazing!
August 15th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Chump? Maybe. Best momma evah? Definitely. (myself excluded of course)
August 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Your nuggets of wisdom help make me a better momma to my girls who are 4 and 2. I love your thoughts on Mary’s need to sit on the sidelines for her little sister sometimes. Balance is ever so important with siblings!
August 15th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Adorable pictures of course, but somehow, this whole event doesn’t surprise me at all. I mean, we’re talking about Ren here!
I’m trying really hard not to think about her at 14 without giggling uncontrollably.
August 15th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
That pic of Ren on the horse holding the reins should be her profile pic.
August 15th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Liz, Michael’s schedule is busy right now, he’s away at school, but I keep telling him he needs to come check your blog. I kept trying to come up with words to describe this child of yours, and words fail me. She’s just awesome.
Also, I need to show Mikayla the pics of Mary. I’m telling the kids they need to pick a sport to try, and I can see Mikayla loving horses, but she doesn’t get it.
August 15th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Hey, Liz, if things ever get too bad financially I’ll totally take The Doodle off your hands.
That girl is a RIOT! I don’t know how you can keep a straight face when your around her. Lord knows, I sure wouldn’t be able to!
August 15th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
She is basically the cutest thing ever
August 15th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
She looks so tiny on that horse, but so determined. Roo is a force of nature, Liz!
August 15th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
That is a hilarious post (no pun intended). Where in the world does one get riding attire for a 2 year old? I wanna know b/c I have one that loves horses.
August 15th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Cutest. Thing. EVER!
August 17th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Ren rocks. Enough said.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Gorgeous. Just gorgeous. There are worse things in the world than to be a chump, and missing seeing that would definitely have been worse….
August 18th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
As a younger sister who followed in the footsteps of her older sister many times (volleyball, softball, student council but NOT cheerleading) I applaud you for suiting Roodle up. Big siblings are supposed to pave the way for the younger ones and Mare, at the tender age of 5, is well on her way to being a fabulous role model.
And Roo is so adorable in that outfit I could pinch her cheeks straight off her face.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
That last picture needs to be Ren’s profile picture on your blog.
Way to go Ren. If anyone can do anything it is Ren!
August 21st, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Go Roodle!
August 26th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Oh. My.God
Wittlest Habit and Jodhpurs EVER !!
Roodle Rocks !
September 4th, 2008 at 8:47 am
No freakin’ way! A 2 yr old on a horse? Didn’t think it was possible! Glad I’m sitting down. Augh! I think my heart just stopped! But she’s so darned cute!