Alejandra Franco, a 20-year-old Tarleton State rodeo athlete, died after a horse incident at an Alpine college rodeo, one month after her birthday.
Campus officials said the Tarleton State University student suffered fatal injuries Thursday night at S.A.L.E. Arena in Alpine, Texas, while competing at the Sul Ross State University NIRA College Rodeo, the New York Post reported.
Head coach Mark Eakin told WFAA that Franco was in the roping box with her horse when the incident happened. Additional details were not released.
Franco, known as Ale, was a member of the Tarleton State Rodeo Team and a Tarleton Transition Mentor who helped welcome new students on the Stephenville campus, about 70 miles southwest of Fort Worth. The university has won 37 national championship titles in rodeo.
The Tarleton State Rodeo Team posted a statement on Instagram Friday.
"The Tarleton State Rodeo Team is deeply saddened by the passing of our own, Alejandra Franco," "Alejandra tragically lost her life yesterday, leaving behind a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her."
Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley also wrote a tribute Friday.
"Our hearts are absolutely broken with the news of Alejandra Franco. Ale was a true Texan, a cherished member of our TTM and representing Tarleton State on the rodeo stage," "She touched so many lives through her friendly smile, leadership, kindness and the love she shared with those around her." "Her presence will be deeply missed, but the impact she made on her Texan family will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with her family, our rodeo team and everyone who knew her. We will forever remember the light she brought to Tarleton State,"
Franco was also a member of Escaramuza Charra El Gran Chaparral, a women’s equestrian team based in her native Mexico. That team offered condolences as well.
"With deep sorrow, we express our most sincere condolences to the family of our companion (teammate) Alejandra Franco. We wholeheartedly wish that you find the strength and comfort in these moments of pain. May she rest in peace,"
The Sul Ross State University rodeo team said it would hand out purple ribbons and asked fans at Friday night’s show to wear Tarleton’s color. An announcer at the show, per WFAA, put the loss in plain terms.
"Tonight a rodeo family is carrying a heavy heart," "If one of us hurts, we all hurt."
Friends and teammates used the phrase “Live Like Ale.” Tarleton State had marked Franco’s birthday in an Aug. 25 post, roughly a month before the Alpine competition.
Alejandro Franco, her father, shared a letter on Facebook remembering his daughter.
"The whole world loved you, my darling, and rightly so. Because you were special," "You were the light... I want you to know that I’m proud to be your dad... That you were the best thing that ever happened to me. That every one of your laughs has stayed etched here, in my chest. Every long talk for hours and hours..." "Forgive me if I cry, it’s just that I don’t know how to go on without you. But I promise you something: I will honor your life by living the way you lived, with positivity, being good to people, helping the way you used to do... I love you forever, darling. I love you beyond the sky, beyond everything... Wait for me with your smile. One day we’ll hug again...,"
A young woman who mentored classmates, rode for Texas, and stayed tied to her roots in Mexico is gone after a night in the arena. The people who knew her are left with her example, and the hard work of living up to it.
