LONGMONT, Colo. -- Family and friends of slain 18-year-old Ashley Doolittle raised money to fight domestic violence this Saturday.
Doolittle, who was killed in June, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend, Tanner Flores, was an avid horse rider and loved judging. She hoped to attend CSU, majoring in agricultural business.
In honor of her passion, friends and family held a fundraiser at the Boulder County Fairgrounds to benefit two charities. One charity supports the fight against domestic violence, the other helps young girls join the 4H's royalty program, encouraging children to train in horse showing. Fitting the fundraiser was a horse show.
"It's been amazing, the outpouring of support," said Ann Marie Doolittle, Ashley's mother. "She loved horses, she loved showing and she loved the people."
Ann Marie announced part of the horse show. "I felt Ashley, here today," she said.
Ashley will be remembered throughout all of the rodeo events in Boulder County in 2017. She was the "Lady in Waiting" and was scheduled to be crowned the 2017 Queen on July 31.
"We are actually still crowning her the 2017 Queen. She will always be the 2017 Queen," said Mikaela Kugel, this year's queen.
Kugel reflected on Doolittle's smile and happy personality. She said Doolittle's story is already helping others escape domestic violence.
"Ashley would want it that way," Kugel said. "Ashley would want to save a life if it were possible and I know her story has helped a lot of people. I've had a lot of people come out and tell me, hearing Ashley's story has helped me get out of an abusive relationship."
In Doolittle's honor, a riderless horse will be at rodeo events in 2017.
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