A rodeo star was forced to watch in horror as her three-year-old daughter was crushed to death during a freak horse riding accident.
Oaklynn Rae Domer passed away on Thursday after one of her family’s horses fell on her and her mother Kelsie Domer, a ten-time rodeo world champion.
Domer was holding the toddler while leading the horse when the animal suffered a medical episode, Rodeo Life reported.
Officials tried to save Oaklynn’s life, but she unfortunately died from her injuries.
It is unclear if Domer who survived the incident, sustained any wounds in the accident.
Domer and her husband Ryan are now mourning the death of their little girl, whom they say was ‘taken from us too soon’.
‘Oaklynn packed a lot in her short time with us,’ her obituary said, highlighting how she will be remembered for ‘loving her family with all her heart’.
Oaklynn was no stranger to horses and would regularly hit the practice pen with her parents, her obituary revealed. She also travelled all over the country as they competed in the rodeo circuit.
Oaklynn Rae Domer, three, passed away on Thursday after one of her family’s horses fell on her and her mother Kelsie Domer
Oaklynn is the daughter of rodeo competitor Ryan Domer and ten-time world champion Kelsie Chase Domer
Domer had been holding Oaklynn as she led the family’s horse. It is unclear if Kelsie sustained any injuries during the accident
‘She loved frogs, horses, everybody’s puppies, going to “yodeos” and hanging out with all her friends,’ the obituary read. ‘She lit up the room the minute she made her grand entrance.’
Following the tragedy, Domer and the Simply Equine & K9 team issued a joint statement on Instagram.
‘Our hearts are shattered beyond words. Sweet Oaklynn gained her angel wings far too soon,’ the team, of which Domer has been a member for four years, wrote.
Simply Equine & K9 urged its followers to pray for Domer, Ryan, their family and ‘everyone who loved this precious soul’.
‘We don’t always understand God’s plan… but we hold onto faith that she is being held in His arms,’ the statement read.
Horse riders and ropers alike have been paying tribute to Oaklynn and her family in wake of the devastating news.
They wore pink in honor of the little girl as they competed at a competition in San Antonio on Friday, less than 24 hours after she died.
‘I know my baby girl loved seeing all of that PINK,’ Domer said of the tribute. She also shared a link to a pink baseball cap bearing the phrase ‘be the light,’ which is being sold in memory of Oaklynn.
The three-year-old was no stranger to horses and would regularly hit the practice pen with her parents according to her obituary
Domer’s team, Taormino Performance Horses, shared a video of a rider placing pink flowers in her horse’s saddle in honor of Oaklynn
Breakaway roper Haley Sage Wright paid tribute to Oaklynn in an Instagram story that was shared by Kelsie
Domer also reshared a tribute from fellow breakaway roper Haley Sage Wright in which she said her family ‘got our pink on for Oaklynn!!’
‘Pink in honor of the toughest little cowgirl,’ Wright added.
Taormino Performance Horses shared a video of a rider placing pink flowers in her horse’s saddle. ‘Your baby girl is with us today, Kels and Ryan,’ the post said.
Ryan Domer has not made a public statement about his daughter’s death, but did feature her in his Facebook profile picture.
He reshared a link to the hat and a post from the Rope Like A Girl foundation, which is collecting donations on the family’s behalf.
Oaklynn’s funeral will be held on Thursday at the Double N Cowboy Church in Dublin, Texas.
Mourners can watch a live stream of the service on the church’s Facebook page.
The Daily Mail has approached the Domer family for comment.
