The Texas youth rodeo community suffered a tragic loss over the weekend.
KTBX reports 10-year-old barrel racer Piper Faust died in a horse accident just before she was to compete in the Caldwell Rodeo on Saturday (March 18). Her horse spooked and rolled on top of her.
Piper's parents described her as an old soul with a bright, kind personality and competitive drive.
"People just met her and they were drawn to her," her father KTBX. "She was the brightest little star."
This report from the news station has more on the tragic story.
The South Texas Youth Rodeo announced on Facebook that they will honor Piper at the next rodeo.
A GoFundMe page was launched to support the family. As of Monday, the page raised more than $20,000.
Keep the Faust family in your thoughts and prayers this week.
Barrel racing is a core competition at most rodeos. The sport involves a rider making a cloverleaf pattern around barrel drums in an effort to claim the fastest time.
While some men do compete in the sport, most barrel racers are women and youth riders. Barrel racing at any level requires highly advanced horsemanship skills and an agile horse.
