What started as a routine family outing turned into a memorable experience when a father snapped a photo of his daughter beside a Clydesdale horse. The image, which quickly went viral after being shared on Reddit, earned accolades as one of BuzzFeed’s best photos of 2016.

In the charming snapshot, the young girl stands bravely in front of the grand Clydesdale stallion, ready for the photo op. As her father urges her to smile, something extraordinary happens—the horse responds with a grin, capturing a magical and surprising moment.

The Clydesdale, renowned for its size and intelligence, added an unexpected twist to the photo. The image perfectly captures the joyful and spontaneous connection between the girl and the horse.

The photo’s viral success on social media underscores the appeal of capturing genuine, unscripted moments. What the family anticipated as a routine picture turned out to be a heartwarming reminder of life’s delightful surprises and the joy found in simple, unplanned moments.