30 June 2023 , 08:37
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A professional rodeo cowboy has died in a freak accident when he was struck by lightning on horseback with a rope in his hand.
Ranchman Terrel Vineyard, of Oshkosh, Nebraska, was fatally struck on June 21 while riding his horse Dose, who also died, the local sheriff's office has confirmed.
The 27-year-old was skilled in his field and had qualified three times for the World Series of Team Roping in Las Vegas.
He tragically died just two months before his wedding party with his wife, Stacey.
The couple married privately in February and had planned a big bash with family and friends in August.
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Vineyard's heartbroken wife said he had been a "father figure" to her three daughters and recalled them all dancing in their living room days before he died.
Popular ranchman Terrel Vineyard, of Oshkosh, Nebraska (Facebook)Vineyard was buried surrounded by his "cowboy and cowgirl friends on their horses" at the Antelope Valley Cemetery, Wisconsin.
Stacey wrote an emotional Facebook post about her "perfect" husband.
She continued: "You showed me, love, you adored me and made me feel like the most beautiful woman. You believed in me and supported me.
"You were always so proud of the girls and me. Our time was short, too short, I want to be so selfish about it but I am holding on to the amazing years we did have together.
Terrel with his family (Facebook)"God needed you before we could celebrate our marriage but our dance party in the living room a few weeks ago, with girls in their dresses, our boots."
Vineyard had been riding since the age of four and at just six years old he learned to rope on a horse.
Roping is a western sport where a horseback rider chases a cow and uses a lasso attached to their saddle to catch it.
The 27-year-old was very skilled in his field (@terrelvineyard/Instagram)Vineyard won AQHA Horse of the Year three times with his first horse during school and qualified for Junior High National Rodeo Finals in New Mexico twice in team roping.
A GoFundMe created to support his family said he was "great at making friends anywhere he was."
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"He maintained his first friendships and made a million more along the way", the page says.