Clay Ashurst Benefits
- August 25, 2017
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- Savanna Simmons
Posted in: Featured, Ranch Life, Rodeo
Nearly a month ago, on July 29, Clay Ashurst was picking up broncs at the Lusk ranch rodeo, when a bronc knocked his horse flat on its side. Clay was immediately unconscious and didn’t come to for several days. He received a severe injury to his brain stem and after spending several days in ICU and 11 total days in a Wyoming hospital brain trauma center, he is now in Craig, Colorado, in an intense rehabilitation center. He is making great strides, but still has much work ahead of him.
Clay is a true cowboy and family man. He grew up in Arizona working on ranches like Babbitt’s and Diamond A. Seventeen years ago, he married his high school rodeo sweetheart Lexie. They just celebrated 17 years of marriage at the rehab facility. She has stood steadfast by his side throughout his journey. Together they have two boys, Miles and Grant. In addition to regular ranch work, the whole family had in the last two year gotten into team roping all together and spends their summers horseback.
Clay regularly participates in and finds success in ranch rodeos and top hand competitions (read about his success in top hand competitions here). With Clay as captain this year, his team qualified for Working Ranch Cowboys Association Finals, Western States Ranch Rodeo National Finals, The NILE Ranch Rodeo, and Wyoming State Fair Ranch Rodeo. Clay has worked for Four Three Land and Cattle for five years; they have found a place in the quiet community of Lusk that they will forever call home.
Clay Ashurst the day of his injury. Prior to picking up broncs, he secured the first place time for his team in branding with his flawless roping.
Clay is slated to be in Craig for two months, which has resulted in some hefty bills for the family. Their friends, community, and family has “circled the wagons” as Lexie says and has organized several benefits and fundraisers, though they will still have some deficits coming out the other side. If you wish to help this cowboy’s family, here are some ways to do so:
A Facebook Page has been established called the Clay Ashurst Benefit Auction. Nearly 300 items have been donated to help the family. This auction ends Aug. 31 at noon MST.
Logan Milligan has organized a Stray Gather on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Torrington, Wyoming, fairgrounds. The 50-team stray gather and trailer-loading has been full since a few days after opening, but the event is free to the public to come watch and enjoy. A food booth will be on the grounds, as well as a few auction items.
On Sept. 17, Clay and Lexie’s two horses that are consigned to the Sugar Bars Legacy Sale in Sheridan, Wyoming. Clay puts out some of the finest ranch and performance horses you’ll find. He works hard to produce top-notch horses that can be used every day anywhere. Click the link to view the Sugar Bars Legacy Sale Catalog. Their horses are lot numbers 64 and 85.
Mark and Lori Barcus of Cow Camp Saddlery in Lusk have set up a Clay Ashurst Benefit Concert at the Niobrara County High School at 6 p.m. Sept. 23. Caitlin Taussig, Daron Little, and Andy Nelson will be performing.
Clay is the 2017 WSRRA Recipient of the Cowboy Crisis Silent Auction, which will be during finals in October in Winnemucca, Nevada. Please contact Naomi Loomis at 308-760-3102 or Kathy Flanigan at 916-715-8224 for more information or to donate.
For those who aren’t local and still wish to help, donations are accepted at this link. Prayers are the most helpful thing of all. Please pray for Clay’s complete recovery; he has a long ride ahead of him.
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Posted in: Featured, Ranch Life, Rodeo
About Savanna Simmons
I'm Savanna Simmons and I live north of Lusk, Wyoming, on the Four Three Ranch with my husband Boe and our sons, Brindle and Roan. I grew up evolving my horsemanship with clinicians like Ray Hunt, Joe Wolter, and Jack Brainard, but not within a...