Tragic Loss: 18-Year-Old Rodeo Roper Ace Patton Ashford Dies in Unforeseen Accident
The rodeo community is in mourning after the untimely death of 18-year-old Ace Patton Ashford, a talented young roper whose life was tragically cut short in a freak accident. Ashford passed away on August 12, just weeks before he was set to achieve a lifelong dream in his rodeo career.
The incident occurred early in the morning, around 8 a.m., in the rural area of Chilton, Texas, located approximately 20 miles south of Waco. Ashford, who was known for his dedication to the sport and his passion for working with animals, was assisting a sick cow when the tragedy unfolded. He and the calf inadvertently startled a nearby horse, setting off a chain of events that would lead to his death.
The Lott Volunteer Fire Department, which responded to the scene, reported that Ashford’s leg became trapped during the incident, causing him to be dragged a significant distance across an open field by the frightened horse. The force of the dragging left Ashford severely injured, and despite his heart still beating and breathing when he was found, his condition was critical.