A teenage rodeo roper about to start college was dragged to his death in a freak accident, according to authorities.
Ace Patton Ashford, 18, who was a “most cherished young member” of the Lott community in Texas, was killed Monday while attending to a sick calf when a nearby horse got spooked, according to first responders cited by KKTV.
“Somehow, the man’s leg got tangled and the horse [dragged] him quite a distance in an open field,” the Lott Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) told KWTX.
Paramedics found Ace breathing and with a pulse — but in “bad shape” from head injuries, the reports said.
He was airlifted to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
The 18-year-old was an accomplished roper who had competed in rodeo since he was 4 years old and was set to rodeo for Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas, in the fall, The Team Roping Journal reported.
“He was about as pure as they get. He was gold,” National Finals Rodeo roper Cody Snow told the outlet.
Snow fondly recalled how the teen recently came to his house and “we roped before we went to Lovington — him and his dad.
“They ate dinner and went home, and we got to spend one last night with him,” Snow said. “I’m glad he got to see him before we left.”
Marcus Becerra told the Journal that Ace was “who you want your son to grow up to be.”
“He and Ashford had competed together and won in the past, and said his horsemanship was on par with his manners. “That’s why it hurt quite a bit. Everybody knows how good a kid he was, how cordial he was, how respectful he was,” Becerra said.
In a Facebook post by Troy Ashford Farmers Insurance, his father’s business, Ace was described as an “amazing and humble young man” who had recently graduated high school.
“Our hearts are extremely saddened for the Ashford family as they lost their youngest son in a tragic horse accident on Monday,” it read.
“We pray for peace and comfort for all the family and friends. If you knew Ace Ashford, you knew an amazing and humble young man. Recent high school graduate on his way to his college career. He was taken from us too soon and we are all in mourning.”
The news of Ace’s untimely death sent shockwaves through the community “as those who knew and loved him struggle to come to terms with the loss of a young man whose life was filled with promise, kindness, and an extraordinary sense of 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 everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” it states.
