Alejandra Franco, a 20-year-old Tarleton State University rodeo athlete, died Thursday night after a horse-related incident during competition in Alpine, Texas.
The Tarleton State Rodeo Team confirmed the death in an Instagram post on Friday, stating that Franco had “tragically lost her life yesterday, leaving behind a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.” The team identified her by her nickname, Ale, and noted she had celebrated her birthday just one month before the fatal accident.
Franco was competing at the Sul Ross State University NIRA College Rodeo inside the S.A.L.E. Arena when the incident occurred, according to team head coach Mark Eakin, who spoke with WFAA. She was in the roping box with her horse at the time. Additional details about what caused the fatal injuries have not been disclosed.
On campus in Stephenville, Texas, roughly 70 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Franco was known as a Tarleton Transition Mentor, a role in which she welcomed new students to the university. She was affectionately called Mama, Daddy and Baby Ducks by those who knew her.
Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley addressed the loss in a written statement on 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,” he wrote. “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.”
Franco’s father, Alejandro Franco, shared a letter to Facebook in which he remembered his daughter as his “light.” “The whole world loved you, my darling, and rightly so. Because you were special,” he wrote. “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…”
He added, “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…”
Beyond her university affiliation, Franco was a member of Escaramuza Charra El Gran Chaparral, a renowned women’s equestrian team based in her native Mexico. That team posted condolences on Instagram, writing, “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.”
Friends and teammates began honoring Franco with the phrase and hashtag “Live Like Ale” following news of her death. The SRSU Rodeo team announced it would distribute purple ribbons at Friday night’s show and encouraged attendees to wear Tarleton State’s color in tribute.
An announcer at Friday’s event addressed the loss directly, telling the crowd, “Tonight a rodeo family is carrying a heavy heart,” according to WFAA. “If one of us hurts, we all hurt.”
Tarleton State University, which has claimed 37 National Championship titles, had marked Franco’s birthday in an August 25 social media post. The university’s rodeo program is one of the most decorated in collegiate competition.
The Sul Ross State University NIRA College Rodeo continued Friday evening with memorial elements incorporated into the event.