A three-year-old daughter of a rodeo star has tragically been killed by a horse in a freak accident.

Oaklynn Rae died when a family horse is reported to have fallen on her and mum Kelsie Domer, who is a 10-time rodeo world champion, on February 19 in Texas. The animal is understood to have collapsed after suffering a medical episode and landed on the pair.

Kelsie had been holding her daughter and leading the horse around when the incident happened.

 

Despite desperate attempts to revive the youngster, she died from her injuries. Now her parents have paid tribute saying Oaklynn was “taken from us too soon”.

An obituary from the family read: “Oaklynn packed a lot in her short time with us. Traveling the rodeo circuit all over the US, hitting the practice pen with mom and dad, and loving her family with all her heart.

“She loved frogs, horses, everybody’s puppies, going to ‘yodeos’, and hanging out with all her friends.” And it added: “She did not know a stranger and lit up the room the minute she made her grand entrance.”

Tributes have poured in from the rodeo community with Oaklynn’s dad Ryan Domer also a competitor.

“Our hearts are shattered beyond words. Sweet Oaklynn gained her angel wings far too soon. Please continue praying for Kelsie, Ryan, her family and everyone that loved this precious soul,” Simply Equine & K9, Domer’s rodeo team, posted on Facebook.

Horse riders and ropers have been wearing pink to remember Oaklynn including at a competition in San Antonio following her death.

“I know my baby girl loved seeing all of that PINK,’ Kelsie said on social media of the tributes. She also shared a link to a pink baseball cap bearing the motto “be the light” which is being sold in memory of Oaklynn.

And professional roper Jackie Hobbs-Crawford said: “I never would have thought I could learn something from a 3 year old. Let me tell you what Oaklynn Rae taught me in her 3 short years here with us… She taught me that how you enter a room can change a person entire day.

“That how you look at them and make them feel the second you see them can fill their heart with so much joy that it runs over and spreads to others throughout the day. I want to tackle life with as much boldness and energy as this kid did everyday.

In her post on social media she continued: “She will forever be that sunshine in our hearts. She was Journey’s best little friend and will forever be Journey and Creed’s ‘Baby Oaklynn’. Please keep Ryan Kelsie Domer, and all of Oaklynn’s family (which extends to friends that are far greater in numbers than most adults) in your prayers. We love you big Oaklynn Rae, just as you loved life! We will forever miss you sweet girl! RIP.”