12 year old rider dies after being pinned under horse that collapsed at rodeo

Published on May 23, 2016

ADRIAN, Mo. -- A 12-year-old girl who loves barrel racing has died after a weekend accident.

Kalee Chandler was riding in a rodeo in Adrian, Mo. when her horse collapsed, pinning her.

“She was running on the way home from the third barrel, and he kind of sped up, which is kind of unusual at the finish line, and she was trying to pull him up,” said Toni Samples, a longtime family friend.

Ruth Walter organized the benefit barrel race Saturday night to benefit the veterans on Armed Forces Day. She said during the event, Kalee's horse crashed into the gates pinning her to the ground.

“I heard the crash, and I went running down there, and as I was running down I was dialing 911,” Walter said.

Samples said Kalee was pinned for some time before those who rushed to help were able to lift the horse off of her.