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:(
460 Comments
Leave a Comment
FREE PDF DOWNLOAD
WHY IS MY HORSE...?
100% Private - 0% Spam
No one taught you the skills you need to work through these things.
Riders often encounter self-doubt, fear, anxiety, frustration, and other challenging emotions at the barn. The emotions coursing through your body can add clarity, or can make your cues indistinguishable for your horse.
Learning these skills and begin communicating clearly with your horse.
Click here to learn more.
Stacy, our hearts go out to you. We are so sorry to hear you have lost one that you loved so. Someday you will be reunited and will ride together as one, in a place where there are no fences. Sending warm hugs & loving thoughts, Sherry Graeb
Sorry about your loss Stacy.
To Stacy and Roxy’s extended family….my heart aches for you as I truly know your pain. My beloved Tres Dee Sol – better known as Sunday was euthanized the day before Roxy. Sunday was born on my farm and his body rests 20 feet from where he entered this world 23 years ago. Selfishly I kept Sunday at home and prevented him from earning the accolades that I know he would have achieved…..a few days after birth he ran his mom until she tied up because she couldn’t catch him….he herded us all into his heart and his love for making Snow Angels will be remembered by many. I’ve cried many tears over his passing but just yesterday I was thinking of Stacy’s memorable performance with Roxy and another loss that Stacy had last year. I had no clue they were faced with what I had 24 hours earlier.
We’ve shed tears of the loss of our friends and my thoughts and prayers go out to you all. My comfort is knowing that they gallop over fields of green and will greet us once again when we make the same transition to the mansion that my Lord, Jesus Christ has prepared….what a place that will be!
God Bless!
Stacy
Know that her soul lives on in a new form. I have enjoyed your performances together!
Stacy, I had a Baby Doll and she will greet her over the rainbow bridge!!! Roxy reminded me of her so much!! I loved all you performances and cried right along with you… My prayers go out to you all about this and know she is in good care at the bridge!!!
I want to send my condolences to the family! My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this terrible time! So sorry to Stacy and the rest of Roxy’s family! What a beautiful spirit she was! She will forever live on in our hearts and in the equine world!! RIP ROXY!! <3
So very sorry for your loss .. She was amazing with you and wormed her way into everyones hearts
Oh Stacy…I wish I could say the perfect thing to help your grief. I do want to tell you that it was you and Roxy who inspired me to buy a horse and learn to ride again. Honestly. After seeing your performance on Youtube, I was in awe and wanted to get in the saddle again. Thank you Stacy and Roxy for being my inspiration. My prayers are with you, your family and Greg.
Sometimes we are Blessed in Life to be given the chance to be Trusted & Loved unconditionally by one of GOD’s most Glorious creatures. How Wonderful that we were allowed the Joy of watching them perform together.
RIP Roxy!
Stacy, my heart goes out to you, and I am sorry for your loss of Roxy and her foal.
She was a wonderful mare and gave you everything she had, I’m grateful you were there with her and her loved ones, to give her peace and kindness at the end.
Blessings to you all,
Oh Stacy, I am so sorry, this is so sad. My deepest sympathy to you, your family and Roxy’s.
Run free at the bridge, Roxy, many of my friends will be there to greet you. Sandy alway has carrots.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Gregg, Stacy and familes. The loss of a cherished horse is always rough and doubled here. Prayers coming to help ease your sorrow.
Sharon S. McCleary
Stacy, I am so sorry to hear about this. I can still remember the day I first watched that famous video of Roxy and you! It brought tears to my eyes, and more than anything they were tears of joy! Thank you to you two for sharing your talent with us, thank you for being such an inspiration. Roxy was an exceptional mare, there are no words that could possibly describe what you two have achieved together! Thinking of you, love from Germany xxx
Oh Stacy, my heart is filled with sadness for your sudden loss – my prayers and love are going out to you :).
On the other hand I feel such a sense of admiration and strength as I read your posts heading “Don’t cry because it over, smile because it happened” – Roxy has up until this point made a huge difference to millions of people around the world, and she will continue to do so whilst she watches over everyone from heaven. It really makes me think how special every moment is in our lives and that whilst we are living, that is when we can unknowingly be an inspiration to others, as you and Roxy have done. Thank you Stacy for following your dreams and with such a great attitude.
Stacy you have helped me to follow my dreams too – Sincerely thank you
I am so sorry for your loss :o(
Stacy, she was a dream that came true for you , I watched you at the Congress , The song you picked for your Father ,was overwhelming for me, I watched you on Ellen D show, I am sending my prayers to you and Roxy,
she will always be remembered !
My thoughts and prayers are with you Stacy. I am so sorry for your loss.
Stacey, my heart aches for you and all of Roxy’s connections over this heartbreaking loss. Thank you for sharing Roxy will the world, we are all better for having seen your incredible rides! I feel so blessed to have seen your tribute ride at the congress and again when she went to Breyerfest. She truly was a one of a kind mare. I pray that God will see you through this difficult time,
It was incredibly uplifting to watch you and Roxy work together. It is equally sad to hear of your loss. Your partnership showed so many of us what was possible if we work for it.
Stacy I am so sorry to hear thi sad and tragic news. My heart goes out to you.
I remember seeing Roxy on a youtube video shortly after her 2006 ride and immediately became a huge fan. Stacy, you’ve been one of my idols for years, and it is heartbreaking to see such a tremendous horse leaving this world. She was an image of sheer perfection in the equine world and will never be forgotten. So sorry <3
God forbid that I should go to any Heaven in which there are no horses. ~R.B. Cunninghame Graham, letter to Theodore Roosevelt, 1917
God wouldn’t be that cruel….
I read Gods letter and he says he rides in on a horse…so I know Roxy will be close behind…
Stacey,
I cannot think of a more beautiful way to envision our God, His horses, and your sweet Roxy. Thank you for all you do and for all you represent.
I was so happy to meet you at Rittenour’s, and happy to have known Roxy through your breathtaking performances.
God bless you.
That’s for sure. He will choose the best and Roxy will be in the front of the line. I just cant get over the fact that something so terrible can happen to a horse as wonderful and perfect as Roxy was. Her legacy will live on forever. Hope to see more videos of rides that you are doing. You don’t have to be in Hollywood to be famous!
So sorry for your loss Stacy. She’s running truly ‘freestyle’ now and never will be forgotten.
Don’t forget:
Life is eternal;
and love is immortal;
and death is only a horizon;
and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.
~ Rossiter W. Raymond~
THE BEST RIDE I HAVE EVER WATCHED IN ANY DISCIPLINE, YOU WERE AN AMAZING TEAM !!! SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
I’m so sorry to hear this news. It must be heartbreaking and what a tremendous loss. It’s good to hear she has 4 offspring, however. I’m she’ll preside over many of us still here on Earth owing to the many wonderful memories she helped to create with you. xox
Sorry for your loss of such a great mate and also a new one to come. May they rest in peace and gallop in green pastures!
Reading this makes me cry. What an incredible mare… Getting to see your and Roxie’s winning performance at the AQHA congress in 2006 was a thrill.. Thoughts and prayer are with you all….
Deepest sympathies to you, Stacy, on the loss of your equine partner. Roxy was one of a kind! I was prviledged to see both of you perform at the Ohio Equine Affaire. Breathtaking and so emotional – I could hardly see for the tears. Heaven is surely the richer for having Roxy join their ranks. We will see our beloved horses again, I am certain. Bless you and your family through this difficult time.
Such sad news. Sending condolences from Australia :-(.
Dearest Stacey ,i feel your heartache ,as i lost my special horse June 2011 ,decision had to be Made and was done for the Horse ,i am Proud of you for thinking of Roxy first and foremost ,your heart will hurt and your memories will make you cry when you least expect it ,Good Luck in your future darlin (((HUG’S ))) & Regard’s Jo from Melbourne Victoria Australia
I am crying as I read this. I am so so sorry. It is good to remember the good times through the tears. So sorry too the colt couldn’t be saved. I am sending thoughts and prayers your way. Sad sad day.
So sorry Stacey !!! She was a great horse !!! RIP Roxy!!!
What an absolute shock to hear. I am soooo sorry dear Stacy, I only hope in time the memory of your wonderfull girl will bring a warm smile not tears to your face. My thoughts are with you. RIP Roxy xx
Oh, Stacy, with Bay it was expected, but this is a terrible blow. I’m so, so sorry, especially for the terrible time she had. Please don’t blame yourself. I love how you titled this blog entry…focusing on the beauty and wonder of what God granted you with Roxy. What a precious gift she was. May God grant you comfort, and strength to stay in a place of gratitude.
So Sorry for your Loss our deepest condolences ~ words can never seem enough at a time like this ~ our hearts are with you..Daralyn ~ Australia
So very sorry to hear about Roxy, I am sure she will be greatly missed. We too had a loss of a great mare last week. My son’s horse – she did it all for him, it was also sudden. It is heart breaking losing the good ones;(
my condolences to all who were involved with this great mare.
So so sorry to hear this!!!! 🙁 She was one in a million!!
OMG!!!! I am so choked up reading that.. I have watched every video on you tube of your rides. They are amazing rides. Roxy was an amazing horse and looked like an awesome ride.. I have watched the videos over and over.. some in which made me cry. My neice wants to ride bridleless just because of seeing your videos. I am so sorry about that terrible loss as she can never be replaced but maybe you will be able to form such a bond with one of her foals.
So sorry for your loss!
so very very sorry to all who loved this mare and baby colt. It is never easy to say good bye to our animals no matter what the circumstances.
I am so sorry – I know the pain of seeing them go over the Rainbow Bridge.
Oh sweetie! You two were quite a match! I know how much you must have loved her. Your gentle touch and her perfect responses showed your bond! Please accept my sincere sympathy! I will never forget watching your precious video of the championship ride! God bless!
They wait for us at Heaven’s gate, when we all return to the Father. My prayers for loss, she was a beauty.
Peace to you and yours.
Condolences from Canada, I watched the bridleless event in awe several times and really enjoyed seeing you & Roxy on the Ellen show. Rainbow Bridge has been blessed the equine world left with a void. Prayers to you and her owners :'(
I am so sorry! I lost a dear old girl this summer, and it is never easy to lose a good friend.
To lose a best friend is tragic, especially when its least expected. Hugs to you Stacey, I went through this last April with my 24 y/0 gelding, he was the 3rd generation. Had his grandmother, raised his mother and he. Buddy never had a sick day in his life, found him down in the paddock early one AM. Doc said twisted gut. There may be other horses in your life but never in your heart. Thinking of you from one horse lover to another
My heart aches for you. May the memories and feelings of the closeness and love between you,
heal your sadness.
So sorry to hear of your loss. She was such a wonderful mare and you both shared a bond like no other. My heart goes out to you and know that there are thousands that are sending prayers and hugs your way.