Rising Texas Rodeo Star Killed by Horse in Freak Accident

Ace Ashford, 18, a recent graduate of Rosebud-Lott High School, had received a scholarship to compete in rodeo for Hill College this fall.

The Lott Volunteer Fire Department told KWTX-TV that Ashford was tending to a sick calf when a nearby horse was spooked.

“Somehow, the man’s leg got tangled and the horse [dragged] him quite a distance in an open field,” an official with the fire department said.

Ashford suffered head injuries and was airlifted to a hospital, where he died.

Ace is the younger brother of 2021 National Finals Rodeo qualifier Ross Ashford, who is currently in 15th place in the PRCA world standings as a heeler in team roping. 

Numerous people interviewed described him as a quiet, well-mannered young cowboy.

“That’s who you want your son to grow up to be,” said rodeo flagger Marcus Becerra in an interview with the Team Roping Journal. “That’s why it hurt quite a bit. Everybody knows how good a kid he was, how cordial he was, how respectful he was. He was good with horses, he had manners and he was a real great kid.”