A Sea of Pink: The Rodeo World Honors Oaklynn Rae Domer
Across rodeo arenas nationwide, a wave of pink has risen in heartfelt tribute to three-year-old Oaklynn Rae Domer.
The rodeo community continues to mourn the devastating loss of Oaklynn, the beloved daughter of 10-time Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Champion breakaway roper Kelsie Domer and her husband, Ryan Domer. Oaklynn passed away on February 19, 2026, following a tragic accident on the family’s property in Texas.
A Tragic Accident
According to widely shared but unconfirmed accounts within the rodeo community, the accident occurred while Kelsie was leading two horses with Oaklynn on her hip. Community reports describe one of the horses experiencing a sudden medical emergency and collapsing, falling onto both mother and daughter.
Kelsie survived the incident. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, details regarding her condition have not been publicly released. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, Oaklynn suffered fatal injuries. The Domer family has not issued a detailed public statement and has asked for privacy during this time of profound grief.
Born on August 11, 2022, in Granbury, Texas, Oaklynn shared a birthday with her great-grandmother — a touching detail noted in her obituary. In her three short years, she became a familiar presence around rodeo arenas, often spotted in tiny boots, proudly cheering on her champion mother.
A Community in Mourning
The news of Oaklynn’s passing spread quickly throughout the rodeo world. The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) released a statement expressing heartbreak over the sudden loss. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Cowboy Channel also shared messages of sympathy. Premiere Women’s Rodeo thanked the Domer family for allowing Oaklynn to be part of the rodeo family, writing that her tiny bootprints would forever remain on their hearts.
At major events, including the San Antonio Rodeo, competitors and fans showed up wearing pink in Oaklynn’s honor. Pink shirts, ribbons, hats, and even pink accents woven into ropes and tack transformed arenas into living memorials.
Cowboy Channel footage captured rows of cowgirls standing shoulder to shoulder in pink as announcers paused to honor Oaklynn’s life. The gesture was simple, yet deeply powerful — a reflection of the strength, unity, faith, and resilience that define the rodeo community.
A Bright Light Remembered
Journalist Kendra Santos described Oaklynn as the center of Kelsie and Ryan’s world, a little girl who never met a stranger. Friends and fellow competitors shared memories of her joyful spirit and fearless curiosity. Photos circulated of Oaklynn smiling beside horses, riding in wagons, and soaking in the life that surrounded her.
For many, she was not just a child on the sidelines — she was part of the fabric of the sport.
Kelsie Domer is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished athletes in breakaway roping history, earning world titles in breakaway roping, tie-down roping, and all-around competition. Raised in a ranching family in Cherokee, Oklahoma, she built her career on grit, discipline, and faith — while embracing motherhood along the way. Since Oaklynn’s birth, fans frequently saw mother and daughter traveling together to events, their bond visible in every arena.
Honoring Her Life
Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, February 26, at 11 a.m. at Double N Cowboy Church in Dublin, Texas. A graveside service will follow on Friday, February 27, at 4 p.m. at Auburn Cemetery west of Cherokee, Oklahoma.
While questions have surfaced online regarding the circumstances of the accident, the prevailing tone throughout the rodeo world has been one of compassion rather than blame. Many have spoken openly about the unpredictable nature of working with large animals and the inherent risks of ranch life — even for the most experienced horsemen and women.
For now, the focus remains on remembering a little girl whose impact far exceeded her years.
Though only three years old, Oaklynn Rae Domer touched thousands of lives. In arenas filled with pink, the rodeo community has shown what it means to grieve together, to stand together, and to carry one another through unimaginable loss.
In every ribbon tied, every pink shirt worn, and every silent prayer offered, her memory rides on.
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