TEXAS
College-bound rodeo roper dies in horse accident, Texas family says. ‘He was gold’

BY MITCHELL WILLETTS AUGUST 14, 2024 11:13 AM

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Ace Ashford, of Lott, Texas, died after an accident involving a horse, family and officials said.
Screengrab from video shared to Facebook by Monica Hurst Videography & Photography

A college-bound cowboy unexpectedly died in an accident involving a horse, stunning his family, a Texas community, and many in the rodeo world, officials and news outlets report.

Ace Ashford, of Lott, was fatally injured Monday, Aug. 12, according to a Facebook post by Troy Ashford Farmers Insurance, his father’s business.

“Our hearts are extremely saddened for the Ashford family as they lost their youngest son in a tragic horse accident on Monday,” the post said. “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.”

Ashford was helping a sick calf at about 8 a.m. when something startled a horse, the Lott Volunteer Fire Department told KWTX. Ace’s leg was “somehow” caught, and when the horse bolted he went with it, dragged “quite a distance” across an open field. The department said he was still alive when help arrived, but he ultimately died from his injuries, the station reported.

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The 18-year-old had been competing in rodeo since he was 4 years old and made a name for himself as an accomplished roper over the years, The Team Roping Journal reported.

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