A teenage rodeo roper who was about to enter college was dragged to his death in a freak accident, authorities said.
Ace Patton Ashford, 18, who was “one of the most valued young members” of the Lot, Texas, community, died Monday while tending to a sick calf when a nearby horse was startled, according to a paramedic cited by KKTV.
“Somehow the man’s legs became tangled and the horse dragged him a significant distance across the field,” the Lott Fire Department (VFD) told KWTX.
Paramedics found him breathing and had a pulse, but his condition was reportedly “serious” due to head injuries.
He was taken by helicopter to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
According to Team Roping Journal, the 18-year-old is an accomplished roper who has been competing in rodeos since he was 4 years old and was scheduled to compete in the Hill College rodeo in Hillsboro, Texas, this fall.
“He was just the purest of guys. He was like gold,” National Finals Rodeo roper Cody Snow told the outlet.
Snow fondly recalled that the boy had recently come to his house and that “he and his father had a rope before going to Lavington.”
“They had dinner and went home and we got to spend one last night with him,” Snow said. “It was nice for them to see him before we left.”
Marcus Becerra told the Journal that Ace is “the kind of person I want my son to grow up to be.”
“He and Ashford have competed together in the past and won, and he said his horsemanship is equal to his good manners, so it really hurts. We all know how good a kid he is, how caring he is, how good he is,” Becerra said.
In a Facebook post, Troy Ashford of his father’s company, Farmers Insurance, described Ace as a “wonderful and humble young man” who had just graduated from high school.
“Our deepest condolences to the Ashford family who lost their youngest child in Monday’s tragic horse accident,” it read.
“We pray for peace and comfort for all his family and friends. Those who knew Ace Ashford know he was a wonderful and humble young man who recently graduated from high school and was on his way to college. He has left us far too soon and we are all saddened.”
News of Ace’s untimely death sent shock waves throughout the community, and “those who knew and loved him are struggling to come to terms with the loss of a young man whose life was full of promise, kindness and extraordinary humility,” according to an online obituary.
“Ace Ashford was more than just a bright and promising student. He was a beloved son, brother, friend and community member who touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him,” the statement said.
