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Teen dies, thrown from horse at Jersey rodeo

A 19-year-old man died after being trampled during a performance at a South Jersey rodeo during the venue's opening night for the season, state police said.

A 19-year-old man died after being trampled during a performance at a South Jersey rodeo during the venue's opening night for the season, state police said.

Coy Lutz of Howard, Pa., was riding bareback Saturday at 8:24 p.m. at the Cowtown Rodeo in Pilesgrove, Salem County, when he was thrown from the horse he was riding, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeff Flynn said.

Lutz was taken to Memorial Hospital of Salem County, where he was pronounced dead.

Saturday's events at Cowtown marked the opening night of the rodeo's 62nd consecutive season, according to the venue's website. The evening featured professional rodeo events, a rodeo clown performance, and a "best-dressed cowkid" competition.

Rodeo organizers offered their condolences on the venue's Facebook page. "During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with all who knew and loved him," they wrote.

The Cowtown Rodeo was started in 1929 by the grandfather and father of its current owner, Howard Grant Harris, according to its website. It has been held every year since 1955, when it resumed after a wartime hiatus.

Messages left with the rodeo were not returned.

Lutz's death followed a fatal horse riding accident earlier this month at Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown, N.J.

Philippa Humphreys, a 33-year-old British citizen living in Rockford, Mich., died May 14 after falling from her horse during a competitive event at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event, NJ.com reported.

jadelman@phillynews.com

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