Father Gallops Up With 2 Horses To Pick Up Son On Last Day Of School

Jun 12, 2023 by apost team

They sure do things differently in Oklahoma!

In a novel twist to the usual school run, one dad in Edmond decided against getting behind the wheel of a car and opted for the saddle when it came to his 8-year-old son’s last day of school. In a sight that needed to be seen to be believed, Mike Moorman traded his car for two horses and revived an old-school tradition that would see him picking up his young boy, Cale Moorman, from Rose Union Elementary School once the school bell rang on the last day of the school year on May 18, 2023. 

He told Today the tradition was one he grew up with and loved. “On the last day of school, I rode my horses to school. A lot of the kids did it,” he told the outlet.

Happy to get his son in on the action, Mike geared up his 3-year-old appaloosa horse, Nova, and galloped his way to the school while leading his 12-year-old quarter horse, Grady, for Cale to ride home on. Mike also gave his assurance that the animals weren’t in the least frightened by the experience, as “traffic doesn't bother these horses.”

Prior to the last day of school, Mike had made known his intention to make the 2.5-mile trip from home to the school gates with the horses to the school principal, who was happy to accommodate the adventurous dad’s initiative. 

“The school’s principal agreed as a way to celebrate the last day of the school year. She knew it would be a memorable experience for not only Cale but for his classmates too,” a school district spokesperson told Today. 

As such, cameras were on hand for the magical moment that Mike, Nova and Grady – who adorably wore the obligatory car rider pick-up tag required for students being picked up from school – trotted up to the school pick-up line. Mike looked every inch the legitimate cowboy dad in a cowboy hat as he approached Cale at the school. Cale, meanwhile, would definitely have no problems with the unconventional ride home, having learned to ride horses when he was 2 or 3 years old.

Mike told Today that Cale, who has even participated in youth rodeos, adores “everything” about horses and wanted nothing more than to be just like his dad. 

The Deer Creek School District shared a video of the delightful father-son moment on Facebook, which showed Mike stopping the two horses in front of Cale, who was then given a boost onto Grady’s saddle.

“If this isn’t the sweetest way to get picked up on the last day of school, we aren’t sure what is!🤠💙” the caption read.

The spokesperson added, “Mr. Moorman came prepared! His son’s horse was wearing Cale’s car rider pick-up tag, a security protocol required for all students being picked up from school. They adhered to our strict safety rules that all students must load or unload from the right side, and Cale put on a cowboy hat helmet before they left to ensure his safety while riding.”

Cale later said his schoolmates were thoroughly impressed by the gesture, which also had the added benefit of putting a great big smile on Mike’s face. He told Today:

“People got to pet the horses. I was as happy as the kids.” 

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How enchanting was Mike’s unconventional school pick-up? If you loved the doting dad’s sweet gesture, be sure to pass this along to family and friends you know would enjoy watching it, too!