He’s ridden many horses throughout the years, but Bullet was one of his first.

It was 2001. Okarche native Rob Bomhoff’s tiny legs barely dangled off each side of the Oklahoma State University mascot.

In the saddle behind him, his uncle, Dan Bomhoff, the 18th OSU Spirit Rider, kept a close eye on his young nephew as he introduced him to the famous black horse.

Although Bomhoff probably doesn’t remember that day, his first impression of seeing Bullet rush onto the field at an OSU game left a lasting memory…and a dream.

“I was about 7 years old,” Bomhoff said, “I saw Bullet run out for a touchdown run and I was in love.

“It was the coolest thing and from then on, I always wanted to be the Spirit Rider.”

Currently a junior, Bomhoff has been living his dream as the 36th Spirit Rider, rallying fans as he and Bullet race down the field at Cowboy home games this season.

Continuing a legacy, Bomhoff is the third in his family to hold the title.

he ninthSpirit A cousin, Warren Ahlden, was the family’s first and OSU’s ninth Spirit Rider.

A tradition since 1984, before kickoff of each home football game, the Cowboy marching band separates, opening a path for Bullet and the Spirit Rider to burst onto the field at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Waiting in the tunnel for the announcer to proclaim, “Here…comes… Bullet...with Spirit Rider Rob Bomhoff,” is an exciting and adrenaline-filled time, Bomhoff said, but he tries to stay focused on the job at hand.

Waving an OSU flag in one hand and grasping the reins in the other, Bomhoff also guides the duo to the 30-yard line in celebration of every touchdown with the roar of 60,000 fans in the background.

On game day it looks easy…but a lot of preparation and effort make it seem that way.

With Bullet’s home about an hour away at Stone Ridge Ranch in Sapulpa, Bomhoff makes the trip there at least two days a week, staying overnight to work with Bullet.

“I ride him while I’m there to keep him in shape and work on the fundamentals of what it’s like to ride on the field as well as wash him and take care of him,” Bomhoff said.

On game days, Bomhoff said he’ll go up the night before to ride and wash Bullet and then the pair head to Stillwater for pre-game festivities.

Joining the ground crew, which Bomhoff was a member of the previous year, the team greets fans at the Block Party to sign autographs and pose for photos.

Next on the agenda is more photos and interaction with fans at the Alumni Center, particularly young fans who love to spend time petting Bullet and meeting the “celebrity.”

Safety is paramount during fan interaction and on the field, which is the primary focus of the ground crew, Bomhoff said.

“I couldn’t do it without them,” he said. “It’s a team effort trying to coordinate everything and make sure it runs smoothly.”

After Bomhoff and Bullet “get warmed up,” everyone heads to the tunnel to get ready for the show.

Around horses most of his life, Bomhoff said his love for them began when he was about 9 years old and he would spend hours riding at his grandmother’s house.

“She would watch me ride for hours even though she probably had lots of other responsibilities to take care of,” Bomhoff said. “I never wanted to quit.”

Encouraging their son’s interest, Steve and Suzanne Bomhoffboughthimahorse… and another Spirit Rider was born.

On the family farm, Bomhoff said he would ride out to check cattle and soon became heavily involved in 4-H horse shows and clinics as well as speech contests.

Developing leadership skills through 4-H activities, Bomhoff soon became a Kingfisher County 4-H ambassador and 4-H Hall of Fame inductee, which has been an asset as Spirit Rider, Bomhoff said.

Various work experience also prepared Bomhoff for his position.

Working at a therapeutic horse riding ranch was very beneficial, Bomhoff said, particularly in the safety aspect of protecting the children while they were on the horse.

Growing even more comfortable in the saddle, Bomhoff said while working at a sale barn he spent most of the day on the back of a horse and has also worked for a horse trainer.

“We were breaking a lot of 2-year-olds, riding green broke horses and rope horses with the horse trainer,” Bomhoff said. “That was a lot of experience in the saddle.”

Another often overlooked role of being Spirit Rider, Bomhoff said, is communicating with the fans and representing the university in a good light.

Skills he developed while involved in speech and drama at Okarche High School have also been very helpful while interacting with the public, Bomhoff said.

Beyond game days, Bomhoff and Bullet also make appearances at schools and other events.

Earlier this year at Cowboys vs. Cancer, Bomhoff said he was thrilled to be able to bring smiles to children who have been battling cancer.

One of those children, 5-year-old Asher Ladd, is a fellow Okarche resident and a close family friend who has been through extensive treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

“It was a very special moment,” Bomhoff said. “I can’t tell you how much it meant to me as the Spirit Rider having Asher come down to meet Bullet.

“That picture of us is going to be one of my favorite of all time.”

With football season coming to a close, Bomhoff said he and Bullet will be making more school appearances and attending other events.

Earlier this year, Bomhoff presented a program at Will Rogers Elementary School in Stillwater and talked with the kids about “How to have the RIDE of your life.” He encouraged them to form (R)ealistic goals, (I)nvest in the future, (D)on’t give up and (E)njoy it.

“When things slow down some in the spring, I’m excited about doing more school appearances,” Bomhoff said, “because when kids meet Bullet, they fall in love with him too.”

In the spirit of the old west which OSU was founded on, Bullet and the Spirit Rider have been an integral part of the university for almost 40 years.

During that time, four horses have held the name of Bullet and, along with a select group of 36 riders, have carried on the tradition of thrilling OSU fans and keeping the cowboy spirit alive.

Having built trust and a relationship with Bullet, Bomhoff said he’s a special horse with lots of personality.

“Sometimes he can be a little grumpy,” he said. “Taking pictures isn’t his favorite thing to do, but when it’s time to run on the field he lights up and turns into a brand new horse.

“He loves his job and does it well.”

It’s Bomhoff’s favorite part also.

“I love interacting with the kids,” Bomhoff said, “but running on the field is the most exciting part of the job.”

When they ride out, Bomhoff said he doesn’t have to be reminded to smile, because he’s loving every second of it.

“It’s been an honor and a dream come true,” he said.

A 2019 OHS graduate, Bomhoff is pursuing a degree in animal science and pre-veterinarian medicine and is also involved in Alpha Gamma Rho, OSU pre-vet club and college republicans.

It’s a tradition that started years ago, going back to OSU’s roots and has turned into something pretty special, Bomhoff said.

“It’s been quite an experience,” he added.

Encouraging others to follow their dreams, Bomhoff said if anyone thinks Bullet’s cool and wants to be the Spirit Rider, they have the opportunity to make it happen.

“It’s been my dream since I was 7 years old and I achieved that dream,” Bomhoff said.

“It’s an honor to be one of the few selected as Spirit Rider.”