A tragic accident at a rodeo in Jackson on Wednesday took the life of Nicolas Gillett, 20, of the Heart Mountain area, but he died with his boots on.His brother, Andy Gillett, said Nick was doing what he loved — rodeoing — right to his untimely end.

According to an Associated Press article last week, Nick's left spur caught on his saddle Wednesday evening. He was dragged by the horse, and he may have been stepped on. Nick then came free of the horse, but the horse rolled, crushing him.

Nick was transported to St. John's Hospital in Jackson, where he was pronounced dead, said the article said.

Nick and Andy had summer plans, and Nick planned to attend the Northwest College equine program this fall, Andy said.

“He was a great kid,” Andy said.

Andy was home from Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, where he was going to school, when they received the painful telephone call. Family members immediately headed to Jackson, Andy said.

A Facebook page sprang up on the Web almost immediately following Nick's death. As of Monday, there were nearly 700 messages offering condolences to family, with more arriving every hour.

“Everybody loved my brother,” Andy said.

Nick was a true cowboy with his black cowboy hat and Kylie, his corgi/heeler mix, accompanying him everywhere he went.

His mother, Jeri Gillett of Powell, will take care of Kylie now.

Nick rode bulls and roped, but he was mighty partial to broncos.

“Saddle bronc riding was the only thing that he ever wanted to do,” Andy said. “Rodeo, that's what he loved ... He wouldn't have wanted to go any other way.”

“He was an awesome kid,” said Nick's aunt, Judy Bullinger of Powell.

His sister, Ashley Gillett, also of Powell, is attending the University of Wyoming.