10-Year-Old Texas Girl Killed in Horse Accident Before Rodeo

The community of Caldwell, Texas is mourning the death of a 10-year-old girl who was crushed by a horse while waiting to compete in a rodeo Saturday.

KBTX reports that Piper Faust was queued to participate in a barrel racing event at the Caldwell Rodeo on March 18 when her horse was spooked, then fell backward on top of her.

Her family described Piper as "competitive, lively, and helpful". She was reportedly involved in dance and softball in addition to rodeo, but had recently put aside other activities to focus solely on her riding.

Her father, Brian Faust, told KBTX, "People met her and they were just drawn to her. She was the brightest little star."

Brian Faust went on to say that Piper frequently talked about angels and her future.

"She'd always talk to the angels, and they would talk to her, and she always told us that she wouldn't live to be old, that she would die young, and she knew it,” Brian told KBTX.

According to KBTX, several events to honor Piper are being planned. Meanwhile, a friend of her family has set up a GoFundMe page to help Piper's family as they mourn the loss of their precious girl.