Heaven’s remuda improved by one fine mare on February 8, leaving this planet one short, with the passing of Roxy (aka Whizzards Baby Doll), best known as horsewoman Stacy Westfall’s bareback and bridleless mount. She sustained traumatic injury after apparently becoming cast in her stall sometime during the night of Feb. 5. Roxy was treated for two days at Valley View Animal Hospital in Dover,Ohio, before being humanely euthanized on Feb. 8. Roxy was due to foal in early March, and although a C-section was performed, the little sorrel stud colt proved too weak to survive.
Roxy had a wide and varied career that included becoming the 2nd highest earning offspring of Whizard Jac, who was both NRHA futurity champion and USET champion. She won two All-American Quarter Horse Congress Championships and two Reserve Championships, the NRHA Futurity freestyle championship, and the Tulsa Reining Classic twice, to name just a few.
Roxy’s championship performance in the 2006 All American Quarter Horse Congress, with Stacy riding bareback and bridleless, went viral on the Internet and led to Roxy and Stacy appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres show. Roxy, ever the lady, gave Ellen a memorable ride before appearing before the live studio audience and accepting peppermints from Stacy.
Roxy leaves behind four offspring, all of whom were carried by recipient mares. She will be much missed by owner Greg Gessner, the Westfall family and everyone who valued watching the great trust and love shown between she and Stacy when they performed as one.
More information to follow in the next few days:(
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[…] Don’t cry because it is over, smile – stacy westfall horseblog […]
Although this is quite awhile since your Roxy’s passing… sincere regrets! I as well as many others were simply in awe of the chemistry between you and this gifted mare. I have and still do watch your 2006 performance together shedding just as many tears each time… it’s inspiring!! And truly shows the connection a horse and rider can have…. priceless!! Thank you for showing all us horse riders/lovers just what’s possible! God blessyou!!
I Love this quote Stacy and I think it is so true through what you have gone through,”Life is not measured by the number of breathes we take but by the moments that take our breathe away.” Roxy, I am sure took your breathe away, and she has taken all of ours too! Love you!
Hey Stacy! I just watched your video for the first time last night! It was truly incredible! I started horse-back riding this summer and love it. Your video is so inspiring to me! Roxy and you were such a beautiful team! God truly blessed you with a horse like Roxy! Thanks for your awesome story!
-Bethany
I’m so sorry to hear about your wonderful mare Roxy… It brings tears to my eyes, also for the little colt that couldn’t survive. ♥
What wonderful times you must have had together with Roxy, she will live forever in your heart!
God bless!
Dadgumit, I mean’t Roxy, not Roxi, it’s hard to type with tears in your eyes…
Chimp
Stacy, I am so sorry about you losing Roxi. When my good horse, Laddie Boy, passed this summer, this poem sure helped. Maybe you’ve seen it before, but for those who have lost that special horse, I’d like to post it here if you don’t mind.
Somewhere, somewhere, in times own space,
There must be some sweet pasture place.
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow,
Some paradise where horses go.
For by the love that guides my pen,
I know great horses live again.
Chimp Robertson
I have fun with, lead to I discovered exactly what I used to be having a look for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
You will never forget her, and after you have raised your children and there is quiet time you will think of her often and be reminded by hundreds of little things that happen each day ~ Bill
Stacy & Jessie
saw you live at the equine exhibition in truro nova scotia a few years ago…you were/are inspirational, (Psalm 50) Opened my eyes a few years ago…in relation to a horse i’d regretfully sold into a bad stuation.He Knows our pain and loss, as the hairs on our heads! God has chosen you as His ambassadors, your lives are a testament to HIS greatness. As you give credit to the Creator, you continue to let your light shine in this often dark world. thank you. May He continue to Bless you in your all endeavors.What a gift you have!
maggie
Stacy,
I had seen the video of you and Roxy at the 2006 All American Quarter Horse Congress. Simply amazing. That performance brings a tear to my eye everytime. I’m so happy you were blessed to be able to develope that special bond with her. That will be a memory most people will only dream about.
Stacy, Your were (and STILL are) my Idol. when i saw you reining BB and bridal less, i said “I wanna do that!” and i have started trotting on a pony Bare Back!! I’m SO sorry for your loss 🙁 hopefully the stud ur training will do good! 😉
So sorry to hear about the passing of such a wonderful animal such as Roxy. My condolences, and I am praying for you and your family, Stacy, during this difficult time of grieving.
May she run for ever free with Epona
Hi Stacy my name is hanna quesinberry
I am so glad that I am sending u a MSG
I want to tell I about the horse that I used to have his name was trigger he was the best
horse I have ever had but when we found
him he was nothing but skin and bones
I felt so sorry for him but I don’t have
him anymore we could not provide what
he needed horses are my favorite animal I am 11 I have Been riding horses for 10 years
u are so cool please rift back I will never
ferget that video ever but I do ride my
nanny horse his name is dusty he is a
quater horse trigger was one to I love
dusty it us like he knows what I am
feeling and I know what he is feeling
please right back from
Hanna lee quesinberry
Belated condolences. I am so sorry to get this news and only today posted a link to your video on my Facebook to inspire my friends. I am grieving for you and everyone that loved Roxy and I too know what it is like to miss a well loved horse. The dreams I have had of mine since she passed tho are amazing and I wish for you the same. It helped me to stop missing her so much and I truly felt she was communicating with me. They were full of magic and beauty- a great comfort.
Roselee
March 18,2012
Hi Stacy, Sorry for your loss. May God bless you and your family
Blessed be to All. Stacy, I have to join the many in saying that you & Roxy were not only inspiration, but great hopes in the horse/human world…Thanks for putting yourselves out there to reflect such beauty & Oneness. I’m sure that great joy will come of seeing youth & riders repeat & expand on what you have lit up in life.:) The Baby Doll has left a legacy most humankind only dream of.
Good Journey!:)
It breaks my heart. I’m sorry.
I cried each and every time I’ve watched Roxy and Stacy, they gave me a goal to reach for given my own limitations. She left her hoof print on my heart forever.
I’m so sorry for your loss of Roxy and her foal. It is hard to loose a horse that you have spent so much time with. They are truly great friends and companions! She, I know was a very special horse to you all and an inspiration to many!! Her legacy will live on forever 🙂 I know I will always be in awe of your partnership. It truly inspired me the first time I saw you ride together! I ride mostly for pleasure but always want to improve my and my horses skills… and I dream of riding bareback and bridleless one day thanks to Roxy and you, Stacy. LOVE Sarah and Copper
God now has a horse!
I am so sorry for your loss. I get chills every time I see that ride. When my mom was dying this past fall and I needed a mental get away- I would visualize that ride or YouTube it so I could watch it.
God bless and thanks for sharing.
Oh this is so sad, I also lost my best friend febuary 8th, i have been alittle off touch with the horse world since, you guys where sooo inspiring. I always had your bridless ride stuck in my head when I would hop abroad my reiner. =(
somewhere is times own space, there is a sweet pastured place
Where green grass grows, and the creeks sing
a plaace where horses go
and by the love that guides my pen i know great horses live again.
I just got the email about roxy passing, the other day. I’m so sorry, Stacy!! It had to be hard. But, what a wonderful memory and legacy you two had, together!! 🙂
-Nicki
I am so sorry about her passing. I know what it’s like. But be thankful you have offspring from her. I know she is enjoying her time in heaven. But lot’s of people are sad that she is gone including me. Just look at all those comments!
Stacy, I’m so Sorry to hear of Roxy’s passing. My heart truly breaks for you. I almost lost my mare on Feb. 5th, but luckily she is recovering. I do want you to now that I met you and Roxy at the Equine Affair in Coloumbus about 5 years ago and again in Raleigh the next year, the 2 of you inspired me and truly changed my equine life. You took time to talk to me, to teach me, and take and interest! In this terrible time, you need to concentrate on how many lifes you and Roxy influenced and changed for the better, mine is certainly one. God Bless you and Roxy, my prayers are with you both!
My heart goes out to you.
Truly sad to hear about the worlds loss of such a magical horse. The two of you together are an inspiration for everyone. The bond you shared, the respect and love you had for one another was so moving. I send you and your family and Gregs as well my deepest sympathy. Heaven has gained another angel and the footprint she left in our hearts shall forever remain. She was truly one of a kind. Love to you, Linda
I just read about Roxy’s death. That’s so sad. I have seen the video of you riding her bareback and bridleless in a wedding gown. The connection between you and Roxy always leaves me breathless. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Best wishes and be well,
Helen Lou Parnell, a fan of yours from Maine whom you have never met. I do know some of your family here and I hope that someday I will get to see you ride in person.
Ooh my goodness, my heart weeps for you. Blessed is Mary.
My heart goes out to all of you. Loosing a horse is tough, loosing a special horse is tougher. Prayers to you all.I love the video of Stacy and Roxy and every time I hear that song on the radeo, I think of her ride and tears come to my eyes.
One in a million horse with a one in a million rider. A match made in heaven and so inspirational. I cried when I saw the bareback, bridleless ride the first time. When I am fearfull, I just have to watch you ride and I think anything is possible. Thank you so much for that, Stacy. Of course, I am crying again, thinking about your loss, but you are right. Think about what you had with Roxy and treasure it.