The father of Tarleton State University student Alejandra Franco has spoken out after his daughter was killed in a rodeo accident last week.
“I have a broken soul, a shattered heart,” Alejandro Franco wrote in an emotional Facebook tribute on Sunday, September 27. “I don’t know how I’ll go on without you.”
Alejandro’s daughter, Alejandra, died after an accident during a competition at the Sul Ross State University Southwest Region Rodeo on Thursday, September 24, involving her and her horse in the roping box. She was 20.
WFAA reports that a since-deleted video showed Alejandra falling into a gate after her horse ran forward before stopping and rearing back, throwing her off. The school has not released further details about what happened.
Sul Ross State continued the competition, making grief counselors available to support the athletes.
“You were my everything, my world, the joy of every day,” Alejandro continued. “You were the happiest person, the most positive, the kindest.”
He added, “You got along with everyone because you had such a huge heart, always cooperating, always with a smile, always full of positivity, always with that light of yours that lit up everything wherever you went…”
“The whole world loved you, my darling, and rightly so,” Alejandro wrote. “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.”
Attendees at the rodeo the next night wore purple ribbons in Alejandra’s memory. They also held a moment of silence before the night’s events began.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of Alejandra Franco,” Tarleton State rodeo coach Mark Eakin said, according to WFAA. “Ale was a tremendous person, an outstanding competitor and we will miss her.”
He added, “Ale’s legacy at Tarleton State University will live on through her memory and all the lives she impacted.”
Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley posted a tribute on Friday, September 25.
“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,” he wrote via Instagram. “She touched so many lives through her friendly smile, leadership, kindness and the love she shared with those around her.”
Hurley continued, “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.”
