ROBERTSON COUNTY — What was supposed to be a Saturday filled with horses, music and fellowship came to an abrupt end before it began after law enforcement learned of escalating threats tied to a deadly shooting outside Robertson County. The 14th annual Texas Trail Ride, scheduled for August 15 in unincorporated Robertson County, was canceled after Robertson County Sheriff Bill Ruland and County Judge Charles Ellison determined allowing the event to continue could put those attending at risk. Ruland released more information Monday, August 17, explaining what led to the decision. The Sheriff’s Office was first contacted August 11 by another law enforcement agency about a possible shooting threat involving the trail ride. Investigators believed the threat was connected to an August 8 shooting in another jurisdiction that left one person dead and several others wounded. At that point, deputies were aware of the threat and continued monitoring the situation as the trail ride approached. Things changed quickly Saturday. Around 12:30 p.m., just hours before the event, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted again. Ruland said two more shootings had taken place the night before and were believed to be connected to the original August 8 shooting. No one was injured in those two shootings, but law enforcement was told the threats of retaliation had increased. With hundreds of people potentially gathering in one location, Ruland met with Ellison to discuss the risk. The two determined the safest option was to cancel the event and rescind its mass gathering permit. The decision was made not only with those attending the trail ride in mind, but also residents living near the event site and law enforcement officers who would have been responsible for securing the gathering. Ruland emphasized the cancellation was not caused by the Texas Trail Ride organizers. He said the organizers have a history of conducting their events safely and properly, and the decision was based entirely on circumstances outside their control. The Sheriff’s Office has not released additional details about where the earlier shootings occurred or who may have been involved in the threats. For Ruland, the decision ultimately came down to preventing the possibility of another shooting. The Sheriff’s Office said protecting residents and visitors remains its top priority and that threats involving possible loss of life have to be taken seriously.