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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Stacy, I am really sorry about Roxy she is looking down right at you and saying that you were the best mother she had ever known.. I know this is really hard thing but just remember that she still LOVES you with all her heart and soul and as i watched you video on the computer a couple weeks ago you looked really good on her at congress she was as perty as anything i could magine.. she is a great horse Stacy!!
I’m so sorry for your loss , this is so sad, I love that horse and your rides with her. KNow that she will see you on the other side again one day and you will ride with her again, She is an Angel. RIP Roxy aka Wizards Baby Doll:-(
I’m so sorry for the tragic loss of Roxy! Amazing mare! I cried the first time I saw the video of the 2006 Congress Freestyle! Amazing!! RIP sweet mare!
So sorry to hear about the loss of Roxy! I cried when I watched the video of the 2006 Congress bridleless and bareback freestyle. What a horse and rider!! RIP
Wow….so sorry to hear this news. I lost a mare 3 weeks before she foaled. It is hard to take the loss of the mare but then there is that baby you have been feeling kicking all that time when you place your hand on the mare. Its tough. And then, Iam a teacher and I couldnt go to work because I cried so much. I took ONE day off of work with my swelled up eyes and a teacher told me when I went back…” some people act as if animals are people.” I just looked at him and walked away. There were no words to cure that ignorance and what I would have said would have been too harsh so I didnt say it. Im an art teacher and he teaches history…I didnt realize we worked together and were worlds apart!
You, me and everyone else who have lost their precious horses are better for having them in our lives. I guess I never particularly expected mine to ever die at any age. Im so sorry for your loss.
Diana
Oooo Stacy, I am so sorry. Roxy was an inspiration to so many … on so many levels. God comforts those who mourn… this I do know to be true. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Stacy, you must be so devastated. Healing thoughts and prayers go out to you and all the people who love Roxy. I’m in tears… I’ve never met Roxy or you, Stacy, but your courage and beauty together impressed me every time I had the opportunity to watch you perform on video. We all dream of riding our horses like you ride Roxy. What a gift for you, Roxy, and really all of us, as your riding inspires us to try new things and find ways to bond with our equine companions in a gentle way that is built on mutual RESPECT and TRUST.
Many blessings.
I have never owned a horse & only ridden one once; but I have always admired their beauty & gracefulness. She was a beautiful horse & I know ya’ll are going to miss her but she does leave part of her behind with her 4 offspring. I hope you will put pictures of them on facebook so that we may all see their beauty. Take Care & God Bless!!!!!!!
So sorry for your loss. Will always remember seeing you and Roxy in Harrisburg
This is very sad. I just finished watching a video of you working with her- she was magnificent. Blessings to you and your family.
So sorry to hear Stacy loved the performance you both put on, still puts tears in my eyes!
So very sorry for your loss Stacy, sending many prayers of strength for you. Thank you for sharing your life with one of the worlds most wonderful, and loved horses. You are an inspiration to all of us.
Ter!
[…] Baby Doll (Stacy Westfall's Roxy) Died http://stacywestfallhorseblog.com/20…e-it-happened/ Really shocking. What an amazing horse, so sad to have lost her. Reply With Quote […]
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have enjoyed your videos immensely, Stacy. You and Roxy were amazing together. She will be missed by so many equestrians, world wide, I’m sure. My thoughts and condolences are with you, your family, the owner, and all who had the pleasure of knowing this amazing animal. You will always be a true inspiration.
So sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful mare and i am sure she will be missed.
So very sorry. I had the privilege of seeing Stacy and Roxy perform live and I will never forget it.
OMG Stacy!!! I didn’t expect to read this, I’m soooo very sorry for your loss. I don’t understand why and how freak things happen to horses, No matter how careful we are in taking care of them, it is out of our control. Only the lord knows! Roxy and you gave to us ( the back yard horse people) encouragement, patients, and determination that with trust and love and repetition you can do anything with your best friend. My hat is off to you! I pray you and Gregg & your family find comfort with all the love that your followers and friends can give you at this sad time. My heart breaks for this outstanding horse. Roxy will always be remembered with smiles! God Bless
I’m saddened by your loss having lost my beloved mare and first horse. It was your bareback ride on Roxy that inspired me to push beyond my fear issues and ride my horse bareback.
It was a great pleasure to watch you two in the freestyles. I owned Shining Salute, who Rocky Dare showed competed with you in the freestyles at Congress. Salute, at 12 years passed as well about a year ago and I can say it is not easy. Roxy and you inspired many people and showed how great a bond is between you and your horse. All of your fans are extremely grateful to have experienced such a beautiful connection in her fabulous bareback and bridleless freestyles. May Roxy rest in peace and have big grassy endless fields up in heaven!
Sincerely,
Ginger Tongyai
So Sorry, Loved watching you and Her.
I’m so sorry, Stacy. Wow.
I love your title for this post. How beautiful. Roxy was an inspiration to many of us, I’ve watched your tribute ride many times over the years when I needed a pickmeup.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
I dont know you but i can empathize with your loss. my family raised racehorses where eceryone one of them was dear and i have felt the losses you wrote of. so sorry for your loss and the loss of the foal as well :'(
Sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family. Roxy was a great horse.
gosh-that’s tough.
i am sorry for roxy and you and all those who worked with her.
i didn’t even know her or see her work live, but i can feel the loss to the world.
Always cherish the hoof print 🙂 She’s hanging out with Baby and any other special friends that you’ve met along your journey. Blessings and prayers to you and your family.
Oh Stacy, I am so sorry to hear this heartbreaking news. Sending you a big hug and lots of love 🙁
So sorry for your double loss. She was a remarkable mare and her foal would have been so special…… Hugs…..
So sorry for your loss. When I lost my mare a few years ago I received a poem, “Don’t Cry for the Horses”. Beautiful poem and it helped ease the pain. Especially the last line, love the ones that are here.
Stacy – My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and Greg. What a tragedy (a double one). Horses are such special gifts in our lives and Roxy and you were quite a team! Cherish every memory and know that many are grieving with you . . .
Stacy, my heart hurts for you and your family. Roxy will be missed by many. God Bless 🙁
Our thoughts are with you. The 2 of you had a very evident bond. My heart is heavy tonight so I’m certain yours weighs a ton. And yet I am very happy ‘ it ever was ‘ because watching you 2 gave Michall and me many special memories. Our condolences.
Stacy I am so sorry for your loss! You and Roxy are truly an ispiration to me! I hope one day to find a horse as dear to me and become half the rider you are! My prayers are with you!
My deepest condolences to you and the Gressner family. It is always hard to lose such an amazing and integral part of your life
I am SO sad to hear this….It is your ride on Roxy that inspired me into horsemanship to begin with. I am praying for you and the pain you are enduring at this sad time. RIP Baby Doll….
I am so sorry for your loss. I also have watched your performance dedicated to your father on this beautiful horse. You may smile because it happened some day, but it is ok to cry because it is over. You two danced beautifully together. My sympathy.
all the way from australia our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and the gessner family. roxy had a far reaching fan club that went all round the world.
To witness the The beauty that was between you, has to be every horse lover’s dearm..In my 50 yrs of owning horses, i have never seen anything that amazing….It brings tears to my eyes, but to my heart it leaves a feeling of entense love….Hats off to at least having the memiories……..
Stacey, I am so sorry for you lost. She is running on green pastures in heaven…praying for you
I have watched that video dozens of times and still get goose bumps. You guys were an amazing team. My thoughts are with you.
Im so sorry for your loss Stacy! I hope she rests well with her little sorrel stud colt.
I can’t help but be sad. So sorry for your loss.
You and Roxy’s video always helped me get thru hard times. Thank you for that. Carolyn
I am so sad to hear this news. You will never know what an impact you and that beautiful mare had on me, even way down here in Australia. RIP Roxy.
Both you and Roxy have inspired so many (this feels like an understatement). She was so amazing in the performance that I have watched at least 100 times, usually with a gather of little 4-H girls….that go home and dream of “their day”. It is never easy to say good-bye and see you later to such a partner in life. My only solace is that when we join God in heaven he wants us to have our hearts desire, so on that note, I trust you two will be joined once again. Until then I hope one of those babies will become as great as their dam.
geez I,m realy sorry to hear that! praying for you; and yes you both where an inspiration to me too
So sad for this to happen, my condolences to the entire family and of course the horse world is less one talented horse, I suppose she and her foal were needed in heaven.
Oh Stacy… I’m so sorry for your loss. I was blessed to meet you at the Midwest Horse Fair some years ago and watch you from afar. You and Roxy were a joy to watch and I shared your videos often. I know this is heart-wrenching. I am so sorry.
I am so sorry for your loss Stacy. I understand the pain you are feeling, as I lost my fjord gelding April 25th 2011. You may not read this because of all of your other fans but I feel for you. If it wasn’t for you with Roxy, I wouldn’t be so determined, motivated, and excited for my goal with my blue roan filly who my old friend also named Roxy. I am so grateful. Your partner Roxy’s spirit will live on, in the hearts of her offspring. God bless you <3 R.I.P. Roxy <3
Morgan, Thanks for writing. We (Jesse and I) have read every single one of these…and will continue to. May you enjoy your Roxy as much as I did mine.
Stacy
I am very sorry and deeply saddened to learn this tragic news. Our animals become members of our family. It is painful to lose them. Roxy was very special. So many around the world enjoyed watching her extraordinary performances. Thank you for sharing her. Please know you and your family are being held close in thought and prayer during this terribly difficult time. Heartfelt condolences and many hugs for each of you.
Hey Stacy, as I read this I am blown away and left speechless. I can remember seeing the two of you in NC at the Expo years ago and the bound between the two of you was so AWESOME!!!.. The good Lord above definitely got an incredible ride with Roxy.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family..