The loss of anyone is a sad event but when it is someone who is young and promising, it tends to affect people on a very deep level. Such as what happened after a rodeo roper recently passed away.
Ace Patton Ashford, a star rodeo roper from Lott, Texas, passed away at the age of 18 on August 12. He had sustained injuries after he was dragged by a horse and did not survive the event.
Ashford was working with a sick calf when a horse got spooked nearby. When first responders arrived at 8 AM at the scene, they said that he was in ‘bad shape’.
The first responder representative said: “Somehow, the man’s leg got tangled and the horse [dragged] him quite a distance in an open field.”
He was breathing and had a pulse, so they airlifted him from the area by paramedics. Unfortunately, he also had head injuries and was not in good shape when he was taken.
This teenager was no stranger to roping techniques and he would practice for hours to be an active member of the Texas High School Rodeo Association. He had even received a scholarship and was getting ready to attend college.
A tribute was posted by the Ashford family, stating: “Our hearts are extremely saddened for the Ashford family as they lost their youngest son in a tragic horse accident on Monday. 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.”
“Please bare with us as we mourn the loss as a family together. We will be on limited staff for the next few days in the office, but our district office is ready and available to assist our customers however possible. They can be reached at 254-531-0484. Ace—our heart hurts and we will never truly understand why, but we know you are flying high with the greatest man possible and are no longer in pain. We will always love you!”
The teenager is survived by his parents, sister, her fiancé, a brother, and his wife. He also leaves behind a girlfriend, Sydney Boatright.
May he rest in peace.
