In the wide-open plains of Nebraska, where the horizon stretches endlessly under an ever-changing sky, life often moves at the pace of the seasons. For those who make their living and their lives on the land, the rhythm of nature is a constant companion—sunrise to sunset, cattle to tend, storms to weather. But on one fateful afternoon in June, that rhythm was violently interrupted by a sudden, blinding force—a force of nature that would claim the lives of a talented young man and his beloved horse, leaving a community in shock and grief.
The Day That Changed Everything
June 21 began like many others for 27-year-old Terrel Vineyard. A dedicated rodeo athlete and cattle rancher from Oshkosh, Nebraska, Terrel had a deep love for the land he worked and the animals he cared for. That day, he was checking on his cattle alongside Dose, his trusted horse and lifelong partner in both work and sport. Together, they moved through pastures and corrals with the easy familiarity of two companions who had spent countless hours together.
But nature had other plans. According to the Lightning Safety Council, lightning strikes in the United States are relatively rare, with only around 10% proving fatal. And yet, in a cruel twist of fate, Terrel and Dose were struck. Local authorities received the call around 2 p.m., and by the time emergency personnel arrived, both had tragically passed.
For the small Nebraska community, the news was devastating. A young man in the prime of his life, an accomplished athlete, and his loyal horse—both gone in an instant. The official cause of death: lightning strike. Yet behind the stark facts lay a story of life, love, and the bonds that define us.
A Life Defined by Friendship and Community
Terrel Vineyard’s impact on those around him extended far beyond rodeo arenas and cattle pastures. He was a man whose life was rich with relationships, marked by a natural ability to make friends wherever he went. A GoFundMe page set up to support his widow Stacey and her three daughters—Maddie, Aubree, and Blayke—describes Terrel as “an amazing young man” whose presence was felt deeply by his community.
The tribute reads, “Terrel was great at making friends. Anywhere he was. He maintained his first friendships and made a million more along the way. He had success in the arena, but he was most proud of the friendships he made. To know Terrel was to love Terrel.” These words, heartfelt and poignant, paint a picture of a man whose life touched others in ways both big and small.
A Rodeo Career Built on Dedication
From his early years in junior high school to his college days, Terrel excelled in rodeo, building a name for himself and for his horse, Cowboy. The duo achieved remarkable success, winning the American Quarter Horse Association Horse of the Year award three times and qualifying twice for the Junior High National Rodeo Finals in Gallup, New Mexico, in both team roping and ribbon roping.
Rodeo was not just a sport for Terrel—it was a way of life, a testament to discipline, skill, and an unwavering bond with his horse. In recognition of his talent, he received a full rodeo scholarship to the Cheyenne campus of Laramie County Community College, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the rodeo world. His story was one of dedication, talent, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Love and Family: Building a Life Together
Beyond his accomplishments in the arena, Terrel’s heart was defined by love and family. In the fall of 2020, he met Stacey, and their connection was immediate and profound. Terrel became a loving stepfather to her three daughters, embracing the role with joy and commitment. Together, they started a cattle herd and envisioned a life filled with shared dreams, love, and family milestones.
Earlier in 2025, they were married in a private ceremony in Colorado, surrounded by their daughters and close family. They had been preparing for an August wedding reception to celebrate with friends and community—a celebration that would now never come to pass. Stacey’s tribute on Facebook captures the raw emotion of their loss:
“We were perfect for one another. You showed me love, you adored me and made me feel like the most beautiful woman. Our time was short, so short. … The girls and I are going to miss you so damn much.”
The Unpredictable Power of Nature
Lightning is one of nature’s most unpredictable forces. While only a small percentage of strikes are fatal, the energy it unleashes is instantaneous and overwhelming. Terrel and Dose were caught in a moment that left no time for escape or defense. Lightning can cause cardiac arrest or severe internal injury, often leaving survivors with lasting disability. In this case, however, both man and horse were struck fatally, a tragic reminder of how fragile life can be when confronted with nature’s raw power.
The Nebraska lightning strike was officially the sixth fatality in the U.S. that year, a somber statistic that underscores both the rarity and severity of such incidents. For families and communities, the suddenness of these events magnifies grief and shock, as there is no warning, no preparation—only an incomprehensible loss.
The Community Rallies
In the wake of the tragedy, the community has rallied around Stacey and her daughters. The GoFundMe campaign, which had already raised more than $13,000 toward its $20,000 goal, reflects the generosity and compassion of those who knew Terrel or were moved by his story. Friends, neighbors, and rodeo fans alike have shared condolences, memories, and support, offering a small measure of comfort in the face of an immeasurable loss.
The broader rodeo community has also expressed solidarity, recognizing the achievements and spirit of both Terrel and Dose. Horses in rodeo are more than athletic partners; they are companions, trusted allies, and friends. Losing both rider and horse in the same instant compounds the heartbreak, highlighting the profound bonds that form between humans and animals in these shared pursuits.
Honoring a Legacy
Terrel’s life, though tragically cut short, leaves behind a legacy of determination, skill, and love. His story reminds us that achievements are measured not only by awards or accolades but by the depth of human connection, the care we give to those around us, and the lives we touch along the way.
For Dose, the loyal horse who shared every triumph and challenge, his life was entwined with Terrel’s in a way that words can scarcely capture. Together, they embodied the spirit of partnership, courage, and mutual trust—qualities that defined Terrel’s approach to both life and rodeo.
A Reflection on Loss and Resilience
The tragic deaths of Terrel and Dose serve as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change. In an instant, routines, plans, and dreams can be shattered. Yet even in grief, there is the potential for hope, connection, and remembrance. The love between Terrel and his family, the loyalty of his horse, and the support of a community become threads that carry those left behind through the hardest days.
Natural disasters, accidents, and unforeseen events test resilience. The grief of losing Terrel and Dose is profound, but the stories shared, the memories preserved, and the community’s efforts to support Stacey and her daughters offer a measure of comfort and continuity. They remind us that while life can be fragile, the bonds we form and the love we give endure beyond tragedy.
Looking Forward
As Stacey and her daughters navigate the difficult path ahead, the legacy of Terrel Vineyard and Dose lives on in countless ways. In the rodeo arenas where they once competed, in the pastures where they worked tirelessly, and in the hearts of friends and family, their spirit remains present.
The tragedy underscores the importance of preparedness and awareness in rural life, highlighting the unpredictable nature of storms and the dangers inherent to open plains work. But it also highlights resilience—how communities come together, how love and memories sustain, and how the bonds between humans and animals leave a lasting imprint on our lives.
Conclusion: Remembering Terrel and Dose
The story of Terrel Vineyard and Dose is one of talent, love, and the sudden, cruel power of nature. It is also a story of connection—the bond between man and horse, husband and wife, stepfather and children, and an entire community united in grief and support.
Though Terrel and Dose were taken in a blink, their lives continue to inspire: inspiring rodeo athletes to pursue excellence, inspiring families to cherish every moment, and inspiring communities to come together in the face of tragedy.
In remembering Terrel, we honor not only the accomplishments and milestones of his life but also the love, generosity, and spirit that defined him. And in remembering Dose, we celebrate the loyalty, strength, and companionship that made every ride, every practice, and every day together meaningful.
Life is unpredictable, often fragile, and sometimes heartbreakingly brief. Yet in the memory of Terrel Vineyard and Dose, there is a lasting testament to love, resilience, and the enduring power of human and animal bonds.
