Troy Ashford Farmers Insurance/Facebook, Somogyvari/
The tight-knit Lott community in Texas is grieving after 18-year-old rodeo roper Ace Patton Ashford was tragically killed in a freak accident. Authorities reported that Ace, who was set to begin his college career in the fall, lost his life on Monday while attending to a sick calf. During the routine task, a nearby horse was spooked, leading to the fatal incident.
“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) explained, as cited by KWTX. When first responders arrived on the scene, they found Ace still breathing and with a pulse but in “bad shape” due to severe head injuries. Paramedics worked quickly, and Ace was airlifted to a nearby hospital, but despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.
Ace had been a cherished figure in the rodeo world since he began competing at just 4 years old. He had recently graduated from high school and was preparing to rodeo for Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas, in the fall. His death has sent shockwaves through the rodeo community and the town of Lott, where he was known for his talent, kindness, and humility.
“He was about as pure as they get. He was gold,” National Finals Rodeo roper Cody Snow told The Team Roping Journal. Snow recalled the last time he spent with Ace, saying, “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. I’m glad I got to see him before we left.”
Another close friend, Marcus Becerra, also spoke of Ace’s character, saying he was “who you want your son to grow up to be.” Becerra, who had competed alongside Ace and won in the past, emphasized that Ace’s horsemanship was as impressive as 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 shared.
Ace’s passing was acknowledged in a heartfelt Facebook post by Troy Ashford Farmers Insurance, his father’s business, which described him as an “amazing and humble young man.” The post read, “He was taken from us too soon, and we are all in mourning.”
An online obituary echoed these sentiments, stating that Ace was more than just a promising student. “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.”
As the community grapples with the loss, they remember Ace as someone whose life was filled with promise, kindness, and an extraordinary sense of humility.
