Ace Patton Ashford, an 18-year-old rodeo roper, tragically lost his life on August 12 in a freak accident near Chilton, Texas. While helping a sick cow, Ace’s leg became caught, leading him to be dragged across an open field by a frightened horse. Despite suffering severe head injuries, Ace was alive when first responders arrived, but unfortunately, he passed away later that day at the hospital. His untimely death has left the community devastated, as friends and family mourn the loss of a young man with so much potential and promise.

Ace had a deep passion for rodeoing, especially roping, which he dedicated countless hours to perfecting. As his obituary mentioned, “Ace would dedicate innumerable hours to roping in order to reach his full potential,” a testament to his commitment to the sport he loved. Just weeks before the accident, Ace had graduated from Rosebud-Lott High School and was looking forward to beginning his college journey at Hill College, where he planned to continue pursuing his love for the rodeo lifestyle. He had dreams of competing at a higher level, and his hard work and natural talent had positioned him for success in the future.