Cole Darren Pelican, an 8-year-old Belfry boy with a passion for roping, died Wednesday in a horse accident as he and his family were riding with guests at their ranch.

Cole's grandmother, Connie Pelican of Billings, said Friday the accident happened about 11 a.m. Wednesday on the Beartooth River Ranch, a working guest ranch owned by Tanya and Michael Pelican. The couple, along with Cole and their two other young children, were taking guests on a horseback ride, Pelican said.

"And of course, Cole had a rope in his hands. You never see him without a rope,'' she said.

Nobody actually saw what happened, she said, but apparently Cole fell off the horse and got tangled in the rope.

An ambulance from Bridger responded and took Cole to St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings.

Carbon County Sheriff Tom Rieger said in a statement Friday that his office was investigating the accident and no other information was available.

A funeral service is set for 1 p.m. Monday at the Bridger High School with a luncheon to follow.

Cole was going into the third grade. He loved roping and had recently participated in the Red Lodge Rodeo, his grandmother said.