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,
My deepest sympathies for your loss. Remind yourself that those that we love are never truly gone. They live eternal in our hearts, and Roxy does in all of ours. Roxy was an amazing horse and will continue to inspire as she did during her life. And, don’t worry about that baby, he’s right where he needs to be, with his Mama.
Take Care.
So hard………..
Loving thoughts come to you from South Africa. You and Roxy were inspirational to all who saw you perform. RIP Roxy
So very Sad to hear, what a fine mare she was she will be missed .I lost a mare last year in the exact same way , Heartbreaking .But know she will be waiting at the bridge for those rides again in heaven . big hugs & Many Prayers to get you thru ….
The death of this animal hurts my heart as if she were my own………God Bless
I’m so sorry for your loss I have just recently lost a mare that had a foal I know how u would be feeling 🙁
I am so sorry to hear this! This is such a sad blow to the whole horse world and especially those close to her. I am genuinely sorry for your loss. She was an incredible mare. I have had the privilege to see her and she truly was great. Stacy and Roxy have been such an inspiration to me. Rest in peace Roxy. You will be sorely missed. <3
So devastate to hear of Roxy’s passing. That is the first time I have cried upon hearing of the death of an animal that was not mine. She was an amazing mare and her and Stacy just had an unbelievable bond.
I’m so happy I got to meet Roxy two years ago and had the opportunity to watch Stacy ride her bareback and bridleless. <3
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and all that have been affected by the loss of such an incredible horse. I watch the original video often and still cry buckets every time. Your dance with Roxy has been an incredible inspiration to me and I intend to do that someday on a mare that looks much like her – just to do it.
Oh, my, what a horrible loss for Stacy, Mr. Gessner, and the entire horse world.
My condolences on the tragic accident.
I am so sorry – that is a great tragedy for us on earth – but a blessing in heaven.
I am so, so sorry for your double loss of Roxy and her foal. Losing a friend, partner, and family member like her has to be one of the hardest things you’ve gone through. Let your tears fall to honor her, and some day, let another beautiful mare walk into your life to continue her legacy.
I am so so sorry for your loss of Roxy and her foal. You and Roxy inspired me in so many ways. Again I am very sorry!
This is a tragedy and such a loss to the equine world, she was an amazing animal and will be missed by so many. She will live on through the youtube videos and still be an inspiration to so many young and old. you are a blessed woman to be a part of her life, as she was with you. So sorry for your loss. rest in peace and green pastures Roxy♥
May the Lord Jesus Give you comfort and Peace Stacy. Loosing your partner is never easy. But He must have needed her more up there in Heaven. God Bless
Somewhere, somewhere in time’s own space,
There must be some sweet pastured 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!
-unknown
She may be gone for now, but never forgotten! Stacy, you and your are in my prayers. From one horse lover to another, I am truly sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry! You and Roxy were an inspiration to so many and it was a joy to watch the trust that was so evident between the two of you.
My heart is sad, she was an AMAZING horse. My condolences go out to you all who loved Roxy….
What a tragic loss – the whole horse world is grieving with you…but what a wonderful life you gave her and what joy she brought everyone!
Stacy, prayers be with you, Roxy and your dad are dancing together for you. 😉
I’m so so sorry for your loss. Roxy and Stacy together were so inspiring. Such heartbreaking news 🙁
I am so sorry Stacey Roxy was my idol !!!!! I hope she rests in peace !!! :'(
Stacy, our sympathies to you & Roxy’s family. Nothing was more beautiful than the 2 of you at The Road to The Horse. What a memory for all of us.
BOB & Norma Stanley
Jeff Cornelius
ONEONTA,ALABAMA
Very sad news, I have tears rolling down my face. She was such an amazing and stunningly beautiful girl. Sending hugs from Australia. RIP dearest Roxy xx
So sorry for your loss………
My deepest condolences to you, Stacy. I loved watching the beauty of one mind between you two, and I share this experience from my past, back in 1997, when I lost my black beautiful qtrhrs and a 10 month inutero foal. I can simply say that was one of the hardest friendships I ever had pass from me.
I am glad for the memories, and am glad you feel blessed to have gotten some good years with Roxy. Bless you both.
The loss of your beloved Roxy is a profound sadness to the entire horse community. Thank you for teaching us, and sharing with us, and know many share in your grief of Roxy and her foal. God bless!
That’s so heartbreaking, RIP ROXY, from Liz Australia
I am so very sorry for your loss. To lose our beloved companions is one of lifes hardest things we face – she knows she was loved and is at peace, and will one day meet you at the rainbow bridge.
I recently had to put down my stud of 19 years and you do all that is humanly possible to save your best horse, but sometimes it is out of our hands. When they are in pain and there is no solution, but to put them out of their agony, we cannot make heroic efforts to keep them going for us. We have to do what is best for them for Im sure she knew your love and it was up to you to take her life gently as I did my horse. It is something that will stay with you and just know I do watch your video and cry each time seeing the bond you and your mare had. thanks for sharing such a good video! Gwen from North Carolina
This is sad for not only the horse community to hear but all those who were so wowed by Roxy’s amazing abilities which you, Stacy, brought out of her. My greatest sympathies to you and her owners. She was one in a million as I am sure no one knows better than you. Being glad to have had her in your life is her greatest gift which will be with you for ever. Thanks for sharing and cry a bit for what will be missed, but so glad you can continue to smile for having had Roxy as your friend and partner.
The loss of your beloved Roxy will have a profound effect on the entire horse community. But, what you and Roxy taught us and shared with us is forever etched on our hearts. God be with you until you and Roxy meet again. Prayers your way.
So Sorry Staci, I was at Valley View on the 4th. Dr Kurt Honeker is a wonderful Vet. I am sure he did everything he could for Roxy and her baby.I am sure he is feeling the pain of the loss also .
We lost a foal last year that we miss . We send prayers of comfort from Ohio. We live a few miles away from Barkcamp where Roxy had gone trail riding with her owner and friends. Again so sorry Rene’
Shortly, if she hasn’t already, her spirit will send you a sign…maybe even through another one of your horses, you’ll feel it….when her spirit crosses over into the other world, you will not mistake it for anything else….she’ll be telling you she’s o.k….just as my gelding did when he crossed over…my friend standing near me couldn’t believe it was happening….his last goodbye to me, letting me know his spirit was free…no more pain…if you have that kind of connection with your mare you’ll experience it soon. I also lost a horse to a traumatic injury and it’s never easy, your heart breaks, tears aren’t enough…..you will always have such wonderful memories. My sympathies to you and her owner.
Stacy, I had the privilege to see you ride Roxy in Syracuse, NY a couple of years ago. You two were truly an inspiration to a very novice rider! My deepest sympathies to you…I truly believe though in the Rainbow Bridge….you two will reunite! God bless!
So very sorry for your loss, Stacy. She touched the world and will be missed.
Prayers for your heavy heart, know that she is at peace with God.
My heart goes out to you.The loss of Roxy is shared by millions of people all over the world.She is loved by all who has had the privilege to see you and her together.The first time I saw you and her I was totally breathless to say the least.I am sending prayers that I hope will help you as you try to deal with the loss..I am so sad for you as I know the pain you must feel.I have been thru this with some of my own horses and I know how much it hurts.God bless you , regards,
Janice Turner
Such sad news…my condolences to all involved.
So sorry for the loss of your beautiful special horse and of course her foal
Heartfelt hugs coming your way, and to her owners. Such a sad time. She brought so much joy to so many people all over the world. Gave so many of us a goal to shoot for. She is very missed.
Stacy I am so so sorry to hear this news. I pray for comfort to all.
Extremely devasted to hear this news.
A tremendous loss to all in the horse world, my sincere sympathy and prayers to all those who were touched by this magnificent “Lady”.
My words cannot express any more than the words i have already read here on these pages. I agree with them and I feel your loss the same as i felt you and Roxy’s spirit and heart on your videos. My heart, hugs and prayers are with you and yours during this time of loss. May your wonderful memories soon over shadow your pain. Thanks for all your strength and inspiration,Diana
Oh my, so sad ……thinking of you and mourning your loss with you.
Most of us only dream of owning a horse like Roxy in our lifetime. You have blessed us by sharing your amazing horse and famous “bridleless” ride with us.
RIP Roxy, you will live on forever in our memories. Here is one more look at the beauty of being “one with your horse”…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wLikusmCEA
God Bless you, Stacy
What a loss to the horse world, and to Stacy. I cried when I saw this 🙁
No words….just hugs!
Stacey and Greg,
So sorry to hear this! They are such big animals yet so fragile! She had so much more to give to the horse world. Heartbreaking!
Oh, Stacy … I can’t even imagine what you are going through. There is a whole group of us here in Iowa grieving with you. I was honored to see you on Roxy here a couple of years ago. The relationship between you and Roxy have been an inspiration to more people than you even know. Your honesty in why the bridleless worked with her was so refreshing and your keeping your feet on the ground as you’ve soared to fame and success endears us to you. Know that we are praying for you and your family as you grieve. We love you. She was really awesome and won’t ever be forgotten. Hug