10-year-old girl dies before competing in Texas rodeo

Piper Faust, 10, died Saturday in a horse accident at a rodeo in Caldwell, Texas. PHOTOS: RodeoHouston on March 19 Piper Faust, 10, died Saturday in a horse accident at a rodeo in Caldwell, Texas. PHOTOS: RodeoHouston on March 19 Photo: GoFundMe Photo: GoFundMe Image 1 of / 47 Caption Close 10-year-old girl dies before competing in Texas rodeo 1 / 47 Back to Gallery

A community near College Station is mourning the loss of a tiny rodeo competitor who died Saturday, March 18 before entering the ring.

Ten-year-old Piper Faust was waiting to compete in barrel racing at the Caldwell, Texas rodeo when her horse rolled on top of her, KBTX reports.

Her parents told the TV station that Faust was a fierce competitor who excelled in dance, softball and other activities, but spent the last few months focusing on her rodeo event.

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"She left her soul where she loved it," Brian Faust told KBTX.

A GoFundMe page created in Faust's honor had raised more than $17,000 in one day, as of Monday morning.

The Southeast Texas Youth Rodeo Association posted the following on Facebook: "We are still in shock at the loss of sweet Piper. We will be honoring her memory at the next rodeo. I will post details soon."