What a tragedy! The whole country is mourning the passing away.

tragically passed away on August 12 after a freak accident near Chilton, Texas .

While helping a sick cow, Ashford’s leg got caught,

causing him to be dragged by a frightened horse across an open field.

Though he was found with head injuries and was alive when first responders arrived,

Ashford later died at the hospital. Ashford was a talented roper,

just weeks away from starting college at Hill College after

recently graduating from Rosebud-Lott High School.

His obituary noted, “Ace would dedicate innumerable

hours to roping in order to reach his full potential,”

and described him as someone who loved the outdoors,