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 so sorry! You and Roxy have both inspired me. I hope that I have half the relationship with a horse that you and Roxy had. My deepest sympathy to you and your family, and will continue to pray. Thank you so much for all that you have done.
I am so sorry for your loss. Roxy will be missed. Her legacy will live on her foals and on the internet.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve watched every video of you and Roxy, and even after dozens of times, I still get tears from how awesome she is/was. She died on my birthday – I’ll never forget her.
Much love, hugs, & prayers to you and your family Stacy. I know the feeling of losing such a dear companion….. She will surly join my two friends, Harpagon & Zarah, already in equine heaven. With a heavy heart and loving tears, Laura
My heart goes out to all who loved her.
I just received the email on Roxy’s passing and I am so saddened that Stacey lost her incredible friend and partner. Till we all meet again on the other side,, Ride On!, jake
You and Roxy, were magical together. You were great ! With love and appreciation ~ Bill
So sorry for your loss, my loss and all your followers, I am not a horse person but after seeing your tribute to your dad on youtube and the way you and Roxie performed it brought tears to my eyes. I am just lost for words. You worked so well together, if I was a horse and with you I would have the best life ever.
I am in a state of shock. I have never seen a pair together as one as you, Stacy and that beautiful black mare. You filled all of us admirers with awe, smiles and real emotion. The YouTube you dedicated to your father was extremely emotional and it showed what a GREAT horsewoman and a trusting, well trained mare can do with the greatest of ease. I have never seen anything quite as touching, nor as beautiful. Just as I choke up and the flood gates flow when I see that video, this was almost too hard to read. I hope Roxy is in Heaven with my Cutting mare, Such. They were both beautiful and kind, but even more, gone too soon. God bless you all in your loss, she was extra special.
Stacy and Rocxys 2006 ride was the best I’ve ever seen the trust that they both had in each other will be hard to do again RIP Roxy
I am so very sorry to hear this news. I can’t imagine the sorrow you are all going through. Thank you for sharing all of this with us……it is inspirational, a true love story between horses and humans. God Bless you all. RIP Roxy and baby.
You BOTH inspire me so much each day. I am very sorry for your loss of such a great friend and companion. You we such an awesome team and such an encouragement to so many of us horse people. I can not express how much you both have inspired me in my life You are really my heroes and although I may never achieve the level of communication and team work you have achieved that is my dream and goal. THANK YOU for all you have done and continue to do I want to be like you 🙂 Sweet meadows with crisp clear streams, warm sunshine, nice shade trees, wildflowers and a nice cool breeze. That is what i heard is where horses go. There is no pain , sorrow, no suffering, just healthy shinny happy horses that forever roam free in endless lush meadows without a worry forever more. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. and thank you for giving my life a light again and goals in which to achieve REALLY thank you BOTH <3
Ugh! This is so sad. I’ve watched the video that Stacy did as a tribute to her dad a million times. The bond that she and the horse have is so powerful. I’m am truly saddened at the loss of this horse. I’m praying for you because I know how it feels to loose that best friend. I’m so sorry =,(
I am so sad to read about Roxy passing – may she rest in peace for ever more xxxx Our family love watching the you tube where Stacy rides Roxy in her fathers memory xxx
I feel like I’ve been robbed.. I just learned of this horse and rider yesturday only to find that Roxy had past away.. I’m very sad by learning this..I wish the best for all that are hurting over this loss not only for Roxy but the baby that passed with her…
i like what you said about the whole ordeal. though it was sad. it made more sense than a bird flyin south. heaven knows,give vaquero a big ol hug for us and thank you for being as strong and happy as roxy always has been….taime marie estrella
No matter what I write it does not describe the emotions felt for such a great loss. One of a kind horse that will never be forgotten as well as the rider- and- horse becoming one. She was lucky to have had you in her life as you were her.
Stacy, I have so many photos of you and Roxy when you came to Texas and I was just at the Burbank Equestrian Center where I got to brag about you to my friend on being on Ellen with Roxy. My chest is tight for sure, but I won’t cry, I just won’t cry cuz it is over, cuz it happened. You and Roxy rolling along barefoot in your DVD’s are so beautiful. I am so glad you had this time with Roxy and I sure wish he did not hurt so much. Blessing dear gal from Texas! We are here for you and I know Roxy will send you the next greatest pony for your amazing self. God Bless Roxy, Greg, you and your family. I just know his heart is a hurtin’
This is the most amazing, true beauty of these great hearted heroes – the spark of love they generate, the strength of spirit they engender in others. You and Roxy shared this love and strength with millions, giving others the impetus to perservere, to struggle on toward their goals despite obstacles in their path. I have witnessed this many times in my life, having been blessed myself with a horse that had this spark, and known other wonderful equines who were wonderful ambassadors for their species. They color our world with beauty and grace, and when they are gone we still see the world differently. Years after my beautiful old man passed I watched you and Roxy in 2006 – it brought tears to my eyes and beauty to my heart. thank you for giving all of us the chance to share in the strength of your unity and the beauty of her spirit. I would like to give you one bit of comfort in knowing the grief slowly fades, but the love grows and grows.
Stacy, this is such sad news but I know you and your family are strong, keep your talent with horses alive 🙂
Emalee D
Mt.gilead, oh
You don’t know me but just wanted to tell you I’m sorry about the loss of your sweet horse.
Some horses really aren’t replaceable. May God’s grace get you through whatever you have to go through and give you continued hope. My condolences to the owner as well. With love, Gwen
Tears and more tears my face is wet. Life is so darn precious and fragile we just never know when our time is up or our family.
My heart is saddened by the news of Roxy! May God bless you during this time. I love your comment “Don’t cry because it is over, be happy because it happened” What makes a heart full of joy after this sad news is to know there are horses’ in heaven! Jesus has a horse! I believe we will be reunited with our 4 legged family members when its our turn to go “home” with Jesus. What a wonderful day that will be, when my Jesus, I shall see! Roxy is with our Skimper & Easy, just to name a few.
Have you read ‘Heaven is for Real’ yet? You should…it talks about horses!
I know the sense of loss you are feeling. I lost my best horse friend a couple of years ago, but I still think about him and the things we did every day. I assume you have many horses in training, but I think this one will stay with you for life. I think you have already said, “Thanks for our time together.”
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend and her colt. Joy’s mom. Kay waide
so sorry to hear.. when i first heard of you i probably started to watch your videos everyday on the internet.. amazing how she was a good horse… roxy will be blessed god bless you!
Words cannot begin to describe how truly blessed I have been to have had the Westfall’s and Roxy in my life. I thank God for the phone call I got from Jesse telling me that Roxy was for sale and that he and Stacy thought she would be a good horse for me. I was excited to think I would someday show her myself. Little did I know that God had a different plan for us and WHAT a plan it was! Thanks to all of Roxy’s fans for your concerns and words of encouragement. It’s amazing how many lives one horse has touched! Thanks Jesse and Stacy, WHAT A RIDE ITS BEEN!!!
Greg Gessner
Stacy I am very sorry to hear the loss of your wonderful friend. I watched your video for the first time
last night and my eyes quickly filled with tears. You and Roxy were one…so much of each other.
God blessed you with such a wonderful and special relationship. I believe that God gives us the desires of our hearts in heaven….she’s waiting for you there. God Bless You!
God must have needed a magical horse in heaven for some little girl.. She will be at the Bridge for you.
I’m sorry Stacy — Ride on!
I am so sorry to hear about Roxy, Stacy. You two made an amazing team and from the first time I saw you both, you have become my idol. She will be remembered and missed and always loved. <3
Im so sorry for your loss. Roxy was a fabulous mare and it was an inspiration to me to watch the two of you ride together. She made a wonderful impression on not only the reining world but the entire world. She was an incredible mare.
The video of you and Roxy has brought me repeated joy and solice. I watch it whenever I need a pick-me-up or am feeling a little down. It lifts my spirits every time. I am so sorry for your loss and feel it deeply too. Haven’t been this choked up for a long time. Roxy was so special, a real gift from God. You were blessed to have found each other. Know God will take good care of her.
awww,,,So Sorry to hear that Stacey…I give my deepest sympathies…She was a great horse and you guys made a great team together..Good always die young…
So sorry for your loss, and all of our hearts hurt for you. If we all are close to our horses, we all know feel your pain. Prayers and special thoughts of you and your horse.
Stacy, I am so sorry for your loss of Roxy. The most admirable rider and horse in my eyes.
“You gave me my magic moments the wind whipped through my hair
You were the one when i was sad that was always there
I know you will always be with me as you have been, from the start
And there will always be your hoof prints left upon my heart.”
My heart goes out to you and all that loved such a wonderful mare ..What a gift she was and she lives now where there is no more pain and lots of green grass. God Bless you and your family in this very very hard time.And God Bless Roxie
I am so sorry for your loss. We got to see you ride her and give a seminar a few years ago. It was for a charity organization somewhere in central Ohio but I can’t remember where… She was a beautiful girl then and I am sure she gave it her all at the end. Please know we will say some prayers for your family, losing a member is never easy ( much less a beautiful new life lost also). Hope you are riding her in your dreams at night.
Anne
Stacy I am sorry for your loss of Roxy. It is hard to let them go…and sometimes hard to move on…bless her memory by keep showing us how to get that relationship with our four legged friends. The Rainbow Bridge will be crowded with friends waiting for you!
So sorry, I still watch the two of you and it inspires me.
Stacy, sorry for your loss. Roxy was an amazing horse, and I bet one awesome friend. You will be in my prayers.
“…grief is the price we pay for loving our animals…” owner of Barbaro
so very true. i remember that tragidy all to well too. death is part of life, nothing has ever excaped it. try to think of it that way when these things happen. doesn’t always work. i still cry.
Stacy, My heart is breaking for you right now:( I am a new horse Owner and I can’t even Imagine what pain you must be feeling. Many prayers for you and your family.
i just read about Roxy and am in tears with a heavy heart. My husband and I were watching you and Roxy on video last night about following your dreams. As I sat there watching I was thinking about the great partnership you had together and what it takes to get there. All the time and love you put in Roxy showed and I know it makes it even more difficult to loose such a friend. You and Roxy inspired and amazed many and will continue to do so for a long time. Thank God for the gift of the horse.
I am very sorry for you loss. 🙁 My prayers are with you and your family.
Many many hugs and sympathies to you and your family Stacy. I was so saddened to read this. I’m certain she is dancing in heaven and will be forever watching over you.
My heart goes out to both Stacy and Roxy’s owner. Sending my deepest symapthy to all involved.
She will be missed!
Rest in Peace Roxy aka Whizzards Baby Doll. (3/15/01-2/08/12)
In 2006 I had the great pleasure of seeing Roxy and Stacy Westfall at the MA Equine Affaire.
Stacy and Roxy’s bond was like no other I had ever witnessed. I will never forget the rush of ‘goosebumps’ I had while watching the pair. The Colosseum housed at least 1000 people, it was completely dark and there was just a simple spot light on this amazing pair. I watched in awe of their relationship. I remember thinking how amazing it was that every time Stacy would stroke Roxy’s mane during their ride (brideless, bareback of course) she would lick and chew. Roxy’s trust in and love for Stacy was so apparent. Rest in peace sweet girl you have made an unforgettable impact on so many. Sending my heart felt condolences to Greg Gessner (Roxy’s owner), Stacy (Roxy’s chosen partner) and the rest of the Westfall family.
Nicole Murphy
NLM Performance Horses
Stacey, you and Roxy were the epitome of partnership and grace. The harmony between horse and rider was never more evident than when you rode Roxy. I too lost a very important equine family member one year ago and can tell you that she is near you. You will sense her presence and strength and can call on it when you need it the most. She will be there. My deepest sympathy,
Tina
So sorry Stacey. She was a beautiful mare and dearly loved by many. God speed Roxy.