The rodeo community is grieving the tragic death of 3-year-old Oaklynn Rae Domer, daughter of WPRA World Champion Kelsie Domer.
Oaklynn Domer passed away Thursday night (Feb. 19) after a tragic accident. According to Shaney Boy on X, “Her mother, Kelsie, had her on her hip while leading 2 horses, one of the horses had a heart attack and fell on Kelsie and Oaklynn.” Oaklynn suffered fatal injuries. Kelsie survived, though the extent of her injuries is unknown.
Oaklynn was born in August 2022 to 10-time WPRA Breakaway Roping Champion Kelsie Domer and her husband, Ryan. The news of Oaklynn’s passing was shared by numerous rodeo outlets online. Many in the rodeo community expressed their shock and grief on social media.
“Thank you for sharing Oaklynn Rae with us. You welcomed us into your family, and her tiny bootprints will be forever stamped on our hearts,” Premiere Women’s Rodeo wrote.
Journalist Kendra Santos wrote, “Oaklynn was the center of 2024 World Champion Breakaway Roper Kelsie and husband Ryan Domer’s universe, and did not know a stranger in our rodeo world. She lit this life up for three spectacular years. Now she’ll make Heaven a better place, too.”
Others shared the sentiments and expressed their love and support for the Domer family.
During Friday night’s breakaway roping competition at the San Antonio Rodeo, competitors and attendees wore pink in honor of Oaklynn, showing the “world exactly what cowgirls are made of. Strength. Faith. Resilience. Heart.”
Oaklynn Rae Domer Obituary
Harrell Funeral Home shared an obituary for Oaklynn, remembering her as a little girl who “loved frogs, horses, everybody’s puppies, going to ‘yodeos,’ and hanging out with all her friends.”
“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,” the obituary reads. “She did not know a stranger and lit up the room the minute she made her grand entrance.”
Oaklynn’s life will be celebrated on Thursday, February 26th at the Double N Cowboy Church in Dublin, Texas. She will be laid to rest on Friday, February 27th at Auburn Cemetery West of Cherokee, Oklahoma.
Those who wish to support the Domer family can send cards to:
Kelsie and Ryan Domer
c/o Gateway First Bank
P.O. 267
Cherokee, Oklahoma 73728
A scholarship fund in Oaklynn’s memory has been set up for rodeo athletes at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Donations to the funds can be made online HERE through Rope Like A Girl.
Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to:
First Financial Bank
ATTN: Rope Like a Girl
P.O. Box 459
Clyde, Texas 79510
Make checks payable to Rope Like a Girl.
About Kelsie Domer
Kelsie Chace Domer grew up in a ranching family in Cherokee, Oklahoma. She is a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She has won 10 WPRA world titles, including breakaway roping (2017-2019, 2024), All-Around (2020-2021), and tie-down roping (2018).
Kelsie married Ryan Domer in 2021, and they welcomed Oaklynn a year later. The Domers are well-respected and much-loved members of the rodeo community.
