Heaven’s remuda improved by one fine mare on February 8, leaving this planet one short, with the passing of Roxy (aka Whizards 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.
Many will best remember Roxy from a video that went viral on the Internet in which Stacy rode her with no bridle or saddle, winning the Freestyle Reining Championship at the 2006 American Quarter Horse Congress. The performance, coming less than a month after Stacy’s father passed away, touched an appreciative audience worldwide. One person quite moved by the ride was TV personality Ellen DeGeneres, who invited Stacy and Roxy to appear on her show. Roxy, ever the lady, gave Ellen a memorable ride, and charmed the live studio audience by coaxing peppermints from Stacy. 
Roxy first came to Stacy and her husband, Jesse, for training as a two-year-old. “I was the first one to ride her,” Stacy recalls. Not long after her arrival, the Westfalls had an opportunity to buy her, but couldn’t afford to. “One of our other clients had asked us to keep an eye out for a good horse, so when we couldn’t get Roxy, Jesse suggest he should.” That client, Greg Gessner, bought Roxy and kept her in training with the Westfalls.
“It was the perfect partnership,” Stacy says. “Greg believed in us — in Roxy, and Jesse and me. There aren’t many owners who would let a fairly unproven trainer do something as crazy as ride in a competition with no bridle, let alone saddle. But he always wanted what was best for Roxy. He loved her.”
And Greg never looked back. “I truly feel blessed by God to have Jesse and Stacy in my life working with me and Roxy. I never once doubted their abilities or judgment. And while Roxy was my horse, it was always clear she loved Stacy.”
Roxy was ten months pregnant carrying her first foal on the night she had her mishap. Greg had her scheduled to move to a foaling facility in time for her early March delivery date, but since the move had not yet happened, she was in a large foaling stall at home. It was Greg who discovered Roxy in her stall early on the morning of Feb. 6. Although she was standing, she was favoring one back leg, and her nose and one knee had abrasions, most likely from the struggle to get up after having laid down. The stall showed signs of that struggle.
Greg called Roxy’s vet, Dr. Curt Honecker, who stopped by and began administering medications. As the day progressed, and Roxy’s discomfort grew, Greg and Dr. Honecker decided to take her toValleyViewAnimalHospitalinDover,Ohio, where Roxy is well known and loved by the staff.
“Ever heard of the saying ‘You get one good dog in your lifetime?’ Well I think Roxy may have proved that true in the horse world. She truly was a once in a lifetime horse,” says Ashley McCahill an equine receptionist at Valley View.
Over the course of the next couple of days, Dr. Honecker and the staff did their best to make Roxy comfortable. Sadly, the tearing and shredding of the ligaments and muscles that occurred when Roxy struggled to rise was causing dramatic swelling in both flanks and upper stifles. Even in a sling, with morphine in her system, Roxy was unable to stand. Recognizing her rapidly progressing condition and severe pain, Dr. Honecker and Greg chose to humanely euthanize her.
“It was a hard to make that decision,” says Greg. “But she didn’t deserve to be in pain. Knowing it was the right decision made it easier.”
The Valley View staff did their best to save the little, sorrel stud colt she was carrying, even though he was 30-days premature. They performed a C-section, but after two hours of oxygen support, the colt failed to respond and was also euthanized.
“I would have expected this mare to outlast my career,” Dr. Honacker says. “We’re going to miss her. Staff and visitors used to sneak back to have their pictures taken with her.”
A registered American Quarter Horse, Roxy (by Whizard Jac out of a daughter of Gunners Rambo) leaves behind a legacy of four offspring, all of whom were carried by recipient mares. But perhaps her greatest legacy is the glimpse of what is possible between a horse and a human — the image of she and Stacy, forever imprinted in the minds of those who have been lucky enough to witness them — two creatures, human and horse . . . bound by trust and love.
“What made her special was that she was willing to give so much of herself,” says Jesse Westfall. “She allowed herself to be developed into an amazing partner, a work of art. Not many horses, or people, are willing to do that.”
Roxy will be greatly missed by many; the Valley View staff, Greg Gessner, the Westfall family and all those inspired by her big heart.
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i know how it feels to loose such a friend. we lost out clipper a cupple of years ago and it still hurts sometimes. Just remember the good times that you had with her and remember she will never really b gone. I think that the ones like that become part of you and you take them with you where ever you go and do. My heart goes out to you all.
I love you Roxy, RIP you beautiful horse. <3
Our hearts and thoughts go out to all who came in contact with this great mare, I too lost a couple of loving partners in my life time and can relate to your sence of loss.
Beautiful mare ,very sad to loose a great horse, Sorry for your loss
This is absolutely heartbreaking. . . such a wonderful horse and such a wonderful bond! What a tragedy. . . our hearts and thoughts go to everyone connected with a horse that only comes once in a lifetime. . . RIP Roxy
So sorry for your loss. She wass once in a life time horse. I was at that show and will never for get the mare and her perforance. May prayers be with you and your family at this time.
I am so saddened to hear of Roxy’s passing. My life has been richer for following your path together. God bless you for sharing her with us. She is truly one in a million – heaven will welcome her. I only hope I can ride with her when I get there!
Roxy was an amazing horse. I’m so glad I got to watch the video of her and Stacy. Being a horse lover I feel sad she’s gone.
This just breaks my heart. It takes me back to when I was 12 years old, and I lost my best friend Runaway. He was a big white gelding with blue eyes, and a big beautiful heart full of love. I kept him at a pasture not far from our suburban home. He would escape from his pasture, and walk through the neighborhood, and end up in our front yard! We never figured out how he got out. Some people thought he was jumping the fence to get home to me. I can just imagine the looks he would get from people in the neighborhood as he made his way home! Runaway did this many times during the time I was honored to have him in my life. He would let me jump up on him bareback with no bridle or halter, and take me where I wanted to go, with just a tap on the neck to direct him, and the sound of my voice telling him to whoa. It was just something he did, I didn’t teach it to him. It was such a hard decision for a 12 year old to make to put him down on that day, February 15, 1975, when I realized there was no hope. I still cry to this day. I’ve had several other horses since then that have been very special to me, but never had that same connection. God bless you Stacy, and your family, and I hope you will be able to get through this by remembering what a blessing it was to be honored by having your special horse for awhile, even though it ended far to soon. <3
My heart goes out to all who were touched by Roxy. She was an amazing horse. I will always remember the 1st time I saw Stacy ride her on You tube…I cried. Those two had an amazing connection. RIP Roxy
Written for a friend upon losing her beloved Gabby, a prize winning mare:
Running Free. . .
The grass is green, the hay is sweet
Where I am running free
There’s some old friends again to meet
Where I am running free
A field we crossed, a lane we rode
A memory that gets retold
That’s always warm and always strong
In this new world where nothing’s wrong
The wind blows through my mane and tail
And I can leap the highest rail
Lift my knees high and toss my head
And perk my ears at what’s ahead
In this new world where nothing’s wrong
All that we did will now belong
While you keep the memory
And know that I am
Running free
What a very moving poem 🙂
Thank you!
i saw the video, and there was a bond that will never be forgetton, stacy she will ablso be with you and also look up and when you see the shing star all by itself, that will by roxy, shining down on you, and she will always be with you in spirit, and someday you and her will be again together, riding brideless and bareback. i know how you feel, i too have a special horse right now that we have a bond that will also be there forever. ,y prayers goes out to you and everyone that loved here, she will be missed alot..
I was so sad to hear of Roxy’s passing. The “viral” video of her and Stacy gave my dad such pleasure the first time we viewed at as well as the countless subsequent viewings. After that, we always searched for new youtube videos of Roxy and Stacy. My best wishes to all who loved Roxy and feel her loss.
Sorry for the loss. I will be praying for each and everyone of you.
Rest in peace, lovely Roxy and son. We will miss you greatly but are honored to have known you and the imprint you have left on our lives. Many thoughts and prayers to the Gessner and Westfall families, and Dr. Honacker and all those at Valley View Animal Hospital.
“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.” Stanley Harrison
Robin E. Smith, DVM
Yellowhorse Mobile Veterinary Service
Concord, NC
Stacie, I lost a mare last March that was my heart and soul too, the loss never leaves me, I just am learning to live with it Your grief is so deep, my prayers and support are with you.
So very sorry about Roxie and her foal!She was an amazing mare and you are an amazing person!
My heart & sympahties go out to everyone involved with Roxy…she was truly an amazing equine gift from God, and will be truly missed by all.
Stacy & Jessie…I am so sorry for your loss..Roxy was truly amazing. Thank your for sharing her story. Praying for you and your family..
Sorry for your loss of such a great horse. I ENJOY watching her bridless preformance. My heart goes out to all.
My heart goes out to all that were close to this amazing Equine, and for those of us who have known or been close to our own special friends!
Truly sorry about your lost . As a horseman ..I have an idea of what you going thru ..my regards to the owners ..and to Stacy ..a big hug and sincere condolences ..
Don’t Cry…
Don’t cry for the horses that life has set free,
a million white horses forever to be.
Don’t cry for the horse now in God’s hand,
as they dance and they prance in a heavenly band.
They were ours as a gift, but never to keep.
As they close their eyes, forever to sleep.
Their spirits unbound, on silver wings fly,
a million white horses against the blue sky.
Look up into heaven, you’ll see them above,
the horses we lost, the horses we loved.
Manes and tails flowing, they gallop through time.
They were never yours – they were never mine.
Don’t cry for the horses, they’ll be back someday,
when our time is gone, they’ll show us the way.
Do you hear that soft nicker, close to your ear?
Don’t cry for the horses, love the ones that are here.
Author Unknown
And that might be…………..Roxies plea
give horses a life that was given to me.
Thank you for sharing your incredible talent and relationship you and Roxy shared with the world. You are and always will be a true inspiration to us all.
Condolences from a fellow rider. Your partnership with Roxy has been inspirational and driven me to seek a closer bond of trust with my two horses that are ridden for trail and endurance. Your video of the 2006 championship ride is usually the first video I share with my non-equine friends to show them how amazing a horse/human partnership can become. I have to admit I still watch it in awe and envy as I explain the intricate moves you request without words and Roxy flawlessly executes as she panders to her admiring crowd. She was a rare gem that I have no doubt will be remembered fondly by any who were lucky enough to spend time with her.
First time I saw Roxy and Stacy I was brought to tears, what a love story! RIP Roxy
I just wanted to let you know, the countless amount of (non-horse) children you and Roxy have touched. I have been a school teacher for 10 years, and have shared the bridle-less bareback riding video with kids who wanted to give up, or just needed some inspiration. The feelings you and Roxy gave my students was amazing, and sometimes I would even see tears from my students at the end of the clip. I know they will forever remember the love, grace, perserverance, and one-ness you and Roxy had, and I will always have both of you in my heart. God Bless! Rest in Peace Roxy-girl!
We’re in tears here at Horse Journal. What an incredible horse. What an amazing partnership. Our hearts go out to you.
I’m sooooo sorry Stacy!! I love your horse! 🙁 You and her are amazing and my idol!! 🙂
Roxy and Stacy were an incouragement to many in the Reinging industry and the rest of the World. She will be missed.
Over the past few years, I have watched the video of the famous ride many times. I have shown it to many non-horse loving people to show how amazing a horse can truly be with the right training. I have felt the bond that you two had once in my life with an animal and I can truly know how devastating your loss is. May God ease your pain a little more in each of the coming days.
I watch the video dedicated to you dad all the time with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye. May Roxy always be an Angel Guarding Your Pillows…she has left a hoofprint on many lives and will be remembered and talked about forever. R.I.P. Roxy. Prayers to all.
A truly amazing mare that shall be missed by all of those who saw her perform with Stacy either live or on youtube. My heart goes out to her owner and well as Stacy and her husband. She will be missed.
[…] Here is the newest blog… Full story of Whizards Baby Doll […]
[…] here to view Stacy’s farewell blog about Roxy. Related Posts:Stacy Westfall Makes Triumphant […]
I am certain that your beautiful talented mare will have a special place in the Lord’s stable. I know we will have our wonderful friends awaiting us when we arrive in heaven. My heart goes out to you in your loss.
I watched the ride she did after her dad died… WOW… Wonderful horse, will be greatly missed no doubt.
THANKS FOR THE UPDATED STORY STACY , SO SAD AND MY HEART GOS OUT TO YOU AND THE GESSNERS. LOVE AND GOD BLESS!
Stacy and Jessie and Greg,
Thank you for sharing this mare with us. Stacy gave us old cowgirls someone to point to and say, to our young daughters, nieces, cousins, etc, here is something you can do, go for your dream. As you know, we all just borrow these animals from God. God gifted you with a great one. All my love and heart goes with you all at this time. Roxy is always in your heart and mind
so sorry for your loss… God Bless…
sincerely,
horse lover in Loudon, NH
Stacy and Roxy were truly an inspirational team. Roxy will be dearly missed, and my heart goes out to those who knew her Rest in peace Roxy, you were such a blessing.
I am so very sorry for your loss! Roxy was an amazing horse!
Our prayers and thoughts are with you.. What an impact she made on everyone, even those who did no know her..
The video in 2006 was the most beautiful physical and spiritual connection between a very special lady and a once in a lifetime horse. God speed Roxy… and Stacy…..take comfort in the thought that your dad now riding this amazing mare.
The video of Roxy and Staci is my favorite! I can’t count how many times I watched it! I’m so sorry for your loss of such a great mare. I lost my best mare ever about 3 months ago to a disease from possums. Even though she was not as talented as Roxy she was loved as much by me. I hope they run together in heaven’s greatest remuda!
Every once and awhile, God loans us his miracle showstring and sometimes we as trainers, are able to honor them.
You did, right to the end when she was called home.
This is mostheart breakjbg news, My heart goes out to everyone. Roxy was truly ONCE IN A LIFE TIME HORSE. GOD BLESS.
I´m so sorry for your loss. The first time I saw you and her in a video on you tube I must cry because it was so perfect and beautyfull what you show to me ! Today I must cry because it´s over !
You both will be in my heart forever, Hugs to you and Roxy’s friends and family.
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.
~Stanley Harrison
Our hearts go out to everyone who was touched by this horse! So sorry for this tragedy. You two inspired so many!