I extend my deepest condolences to the Boisvert family on their loss in this most tragic of accidents. Brielle Boisvert who lived in the small town of Sonoita, Arizona was injured during the opening parade of the La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros Rodeo in Tucson, Arizona. The 5-year-old girl later died from her injuries.
According to news reports, Brielle fell off her mount and was trampled after an out of control wagon either spooked or collided with her horse.
Brielle was riding in the parade as rodeo royalty with the title of "Little Miss Sonoita." She also competed in Junior Rodeo and several friends have stated that she was an accomplished rider. However parade rules state that no one under 8 years old can ride horseback.
Predictably this accident has fired up the debate over the merits of continuing the parade and several anti-rodeo and animal rights groups, never ones to miss exploiting anything, have already seized on this tragedy to further their cause.
This wound is still too fresh to play politics with or engage in arguments with an uninformed minority. I intend to do a follow up on this story but for now I will grieve for this family's loss and honor the contributions this young cowgirl and princess made to rodeo in her all-too-short time on Earth.
I encourage the rodeo community to surround and support this family in their time of need.
A memorial service for Brielle will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday (Feb 27th) in Sonoita at the Santa Cruz Fairgrounds and is open to the public. Memorial contributions can be made to the Brielle Boisvert Memorial Fund at National Bank of Arizona.
According to news reports, Brielle fell off her mount and was trampled after an out of control wagon either spooked or collided with her horse.
Brielle was riding in the parade as rodeo royalty with the title of "Little Miss Sonoita." She also competed in Junior Rodeo and several friends have stated that she was an accomplished rider. However parade rules state that no one under 8 years old can ride horseback.
Predictably this accident has fired up the debate over the merits of continuing the parade and several anti-rodeo and animal rights groups, never ones to miss exploiting anything, have already seized on this tragedy to further their cause.
This wound is still too fresh to play politics with or engage in arguments with an uninformed minority. I intend to do a follow up on this story but for now I will grieve for this family's loss and honor the contributions this young cowgirl and princess made to rodeo in her all-too-short time on Earth.
I encourage the rodeo community to surround and support this family in their time of need.
A memorial service for Brielle will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday (Feb 27th) in Sonoita at the Santa Cruz Fairgrounds and is open to the public. Memorial contributions can be made to the Brielle Boisvert Memorial Fund at National Bank of Arizona.
Comments
I am very sorry to hear of this little child. I have been riding since I was very young and would not have had it any other way. The “activists” need to leave this family alone. They also need to stay out of other people’s business as far as rodeo is concerned. They would do well to focus their energy on all of the children who are killed by “ALCOHOLICS/DRUG ADDICTS” driving under the influence!! This is certainly a tragedy but this child was doing something she loved(with her family). There are all kinds of people that make up this “FREE” country. I will be praying for her family.