08/15/2026
To the Summit Pro Rodeo Family,
On behalf of the Evanston Cowboy Days Committee, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to you following the heartbreaking loss of your beloved son and grandson.
The rodeo world is a close-knit family, and when one of our own hurts, we all share in that sorrow. Please know that our thoughts, prayers, and strength are with your entire family, crew, and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time.
May you find comfort in the love of those around you and the memories you hold dear.
With heavy hearts and sincere sympathy,
The Evanston Cowboy Days Committee
This is Daniel Beard writing this,
Ty asked me to post something for the Company that might be a message from the family letting people know what happened. We are all broken hearted and grieving. What are the right words? I don’t know. What should we do? I don’t know. I don’t know how the last few days have gone by, or how to get through the next moments. I don’t how to say this, so I will just say it.
Hayes Ryan Hamaker, the 6-year-old son of Ty and Alison Hamaker, died in a ranch accident on August 13, 2026.
There was not a sweeter boy than Hayes. I know kids aren’t perfect, but Hayes was a real one. He had a smile for everyone. In every picture that’s been posted, he’s grinning from ear to ear. That’s because he was usually smiling. He was cheerful and kind hearted. He loved people. He made friends with every person on the rodeo grounds within an hour of arriving. That’s not an exaggeration. You’d look up from unloading or setting up camp and ask, “Where’s Hayes?” And he’d come around the corner with three adults and six kids who were already in love with him.
Hayes would get close when he was talking to you and look at you eye to eye. Really look at you. You could tell he was vibing with what you were feeling. He was trying to understand not just what you were saying but how you worked as a person.
Ty and Alison, Hayes was a special young man. We all loved him. We all love you. We are all crying, praying, grieving, questioning, wondering, remembering, celebrating a life that was beautiful. Hayes was a blessing to all of us.
The last couple days have been horrible. All of our plans are shattered and we (the rodeo friends) are reacting to things minute by minute and feeling by feeling. You can imagine how the family is doing.
The Hamakers will be staying home during the Gooding Rodeo.
Many people have asked what is the best way to help? I don’t know the answer. I know the family knows the huge amount of prayers that are being prayed for them. Please keep praying for Ty and Alison, and the Hamaker family. There have been many messages and inquiries to the family. That is appreciated but causes its own stress. I think that’s one reason why Ty asked me to post something.
This might be the safe spot to pour out your love, support, and kind thoughts and would still allow the Hamakers the space for grieving.
We appreciate you all. Thank you all, from the grieving hearts of the Summit family.
I asked Ty to read this and share with Alison before I posted. He wanted me to add-
Thank you all, from the grieving hearts of Ty and Alison.
God bless them, and help us to support them.
