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 just found this and I am in tears as I write this. I have to tell you how very sorry I am for all of you. I saw the video and it made a big impression on me. So few people know that kind of love and devotion from a horse. She was so special and I do believe that it was time for her to go to that big horse heaven up above. She will be waiting there for you.
Stacy, I just found out about the death of Roxy, and it brakes my heart. You and Roxy had such an incredibly awesome bond. I still watch the video you dedicated to your father, and it still gives me chills every time I watch it. You and Roxy gave us an extraordinary gift; the pure joy of watching the two of you perform!
My world became a better place after watching Stacey and Roxie perform together. To know an animal can bond so closely to a human is beyond words! I thought my horse and I had a special bond but it doesn’t come close to the one these two shared. So sorry about Roxie’s loss – I feel for all of you who personally knew her. Thank you Stacey for being who you are,
Stacy, I just found out about the tremendous loss you, Jesse, and Greg have suffered in losing Roxy. I was so fortunate and touched to be at Congress for your freestyle homage to your dad, and also proud to know your are a fellow Ohioan. I truly believe that Roxy will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge, your dad standing with her. You have a God given gift and I love to see that you really appreciate it. Bless you all.
I am so sorry for your loss. I just found out about your and Roxy’s existence today. Now I’ve also found out about this sad loss of Roxy as well. Your performances together are legendary, and so I am smiling because it happened but cannot help but to shed some tears as well. Bless you all.
Roxy is amazing
Oh the wonders that she accomplished
Xtravagant feats
You will be in my heart
Just wanted to let you know Stacy, that your work with and love for horses still affects many of us! I still watch you and Roxy’s youtube videos at least twice a week, hoping that one day, my horse and I can have what you and Roxy had. RIP Whizard’s Baby Doll!
The first time I saw you riding Roxy bridleless, a month after loosing your Dad, I cried. Truly your performance was inspiring and spiritual…I still watch it with tears! Your connection to Roxy and her connection to you was beautiful and true. She was an incredible horse! I know we will see her again in Heaven….along with my horses and various dogs and kitties.
I was close to my Dad as we shared the love of horses together, he started me riding when I was 2 and I rode with him all my life….I lost him a few years back and miss him so very much.
In 2008 I had to make the hardest decision of my life which was to put my mare Hobby down. She was only 9 and I loved her so much but something went wrong in her front legs and feet…the vet could not figure out exactly what it was but a probable genetic thing. I could not let her suffer…she depended on me and trusted me, we were best friends…the small picture that you see is of me and Hobby…in the round corral getting some loves. God bless you and God Bless Roxy. Thank you for sharing Stacey.
Stacey Westfall was my most inspiration to train my horses the way she did!!! I finally met her at mane event and I got a dvd and watched as mush as I could!!! Then I trained my mare just like her!! And then I loved horses even more because I knew I could train like her know!!!
i am so sorry about your loss, Roxy was trully an amazing horse! i remember the youtube video i saw of you and her performing less than a month after your father died, and it was so inspiring! each time i watch that video or any other of you and your horses performing this awe and wonder fill my mind and goosebumps shoot down my body. there is no doubt in my mind that God created us to have the kind of relationship and understanding that you and Roxy had.i have loved horses all my life and have never owned one and i fear i may never get the chance to experience a relationship like that with a horse…. i would love to be under your wing and learn from you up close and in person, what i wouldn’t give to have that chance! i know that animals like Roxy only come once in a life time, but i hope you find a companion that is close to what you had with Roxy. Best wish and God’s hand over you at all times, i thank you for showing me what love and friendship can be like…
I remember the first time I watched you ride. It was in 03 in Findlay on Can Can Lena if memory serves. Then many times after that. However probably the one that stands out the most was in July of ’06 in Midland Mi. My mare was running for the Affiliate title that year and so I hit quite a few of those shows. I remember thinking how great Roxy was and what a team that you two where. Then came Congress and that great run. Not only that run but the music. At the time that song hit home with me on a personal level and still does. I know this is a bit late in coming as I just found this particular post on your blog. I hope that all the memories will be enough to last a lifetime. That is what makes horses so great. They live such a short time in comparison to us yet they touch us more then anything.
thank you, I do read ALL these comments…:)
Linda Long is allowed to have her opinions. And can be telling the truth…chill out people, non of us is getting out of here alive…its just so sad Roxy’s life cut short, the world is full of human casualties.
Stacy, I am so sorry for your loss of Roxy, I hope you have a successful career with Popcorn and Twinkie! We just saw you last night, amazing mounted shooting!
I want to know more about her bloodline, rather than her babies. 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. I want to know about Gunners Rambo and Whizard Jac. This was awesome to know about. I am sorry you were judged so harshly by some about the loss. I am so sorry for your losses.
I just found out today because you sent me that email. I’m so sorry Stacy and everyone involved in the life of Roxy. God bless you your family and everyone that Roxy loved..
Jacquie Crackel Two Harbors MN
My heart and soul go out to you — Roxy was surely The One. Blessings on you for loving her and caring for her for so long.
Stacy, I, too, have only seen you and Roxy on video, but it left an indelible impression on me. I’ve been riding for over 50 years, mainly rented horses wherever I could find them. I “owned” a Morgan mare that found me for several years. She was my teacher. We are still friends and she is in the best home for the rest of her life with someone who understands her needs as a horse and honors her. I came to the horse ownership world from the world of positive dog training and my education included a good understanding of operant behavior. I have always been amazed at what horses let us do to them, wondering why they let us do what we do to them. One of the dude ranch owners I asked this question to said, “Because they are dumb.” My friend and teacher Barbara Janelle, a Tellington Touch practitioner, said it was because they have generous natures. I still ponder this question as I remain in awe of horses’ generosity to us. I look at most training, even so called “positive”, as really removal of a negative (such as pressure). Somehow you and Roxy have showed another way and you will never know the extent to which you have increased kindness to horses through your work and love. Obviously, she was special, but you had to be special to connect with her in such a way. Time does help with loss, but please remember the lasting effect you two have had on the horse world. Honey Loring
A great horse so willing would seem dumb to a lazy person who ‘dumbs down’ horses.
My sincere condolences on the loss of these Angels..
i am a horse owner and i can only imagine what you,all went thru.
Dearest Stacy, God blessed you with a wonderful companion, but at the same time, blessed Roxy with a wonderful companion. I only viewed your video yesterday. Spent today playing ‘catch up.’ You are obviously a sweet, warm, gifted, kind & loving woman that gave of herself to a RARE MARE, only to discover that rare mare gave of herself right back. I cry each & every time I view that video. (I cannot stop watching it!) You done things that many only wished they could do or could have beaten you to. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT PAY one ounce of attention to the idiots, haters, rude, insensitive people that chose to leave a comment here. That’s not what you & Roxy were about! If they had a brain combined with a heart u would not be able to see comments as such left here. However, you will have thousands if not millions of people that love you. With that also comes the ones that hold envy & jealousy to their cores. Let them say what they will. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE! I think you are just as rare, just as special & one of a kind, as was your friend, Roxy to you & to the rest of the world. God bless you, Stacy. Please continue sharing your gift & craft with the world. We need people like you!!! I personally think everything about your story is exactly how it is supposed to be. Of course, I wished you & Roxy had eternity together, but maybe God had other plans for her & you as well. It’s hard to say, but I’m so in love with the Big guy in the sky, that He usually let’s me know why He does certain things. REGARDLESS, You hold your head high. Keep your heart full of love. Your memories will ride with you forever. Again, Thank you for the awesome spirit & love you show & seem to give to the universe. Sincerely, Terry Rains
Stacy: Just recently I became one of your “fans”. You are an incredible individual and I am truly inspired by your training methods and love for horses. I am sorry to hear of your loss of this magnificant horse but know you were blessed to have her in your life and her memory wll be cherished. Thank you for all you do.
Hello Stacy,
I am an FEI dressage rider from another country, unfamiliar with WESTERN riding, but I have been riding my whole life and I have to say you are amazing. I only had one horse in my entire life that I could communicate with closely, but nothing comes to the relationship you had with Roxy. I watched the video over and over and I am still totally touched. You must miss her so much. I hope you are able to find some comfort in the level of respect you inspire in people. Good luck to you in the future.
My heart aches for you for the loss of Roxy, I never got the pleasure of seeing the two of you in person but I have watched and read anything I could get my hands on. Oh how the two of you have inspired me. Watching you and Roxy helped me to realize I needed to live some of my dreams that had been put aside. Sometimes we get very busy with life and doing what everyone else likes and needs. Kids are grown,,,I became very ill for several years..during that I got my first horse since I was a teenager..took another that had been a broodmare for several years. Could’nt ride much because I was so sick but I enjoyed just having them. Several close calls and lots of surgeries later I am healthy as can be and I discover what the meaning of true passion is ,,, horses! I year after my last surgery I adopted a Thoroughbred that never made it to the track. His name is Sway and he is the best thing ever….a Thoroughbred that thinks he is a Quarter Horse : ) I went to a natural horsemanship trainer with him, My life is changed forever! I am changed, Being one with these magnificent creatures is more than I ever thought it could be. Now I can truly understand the bond and relationship you Roxy and the others have. I never knew it was something I could do too. So thank you and Roxy ! Lol ..now I will never be as good as you or some of the others I look up to but I am going to continue trying now and always!
I could watch you and Roxy online, look at a photo, television…and actually feel the love and respect you had for each other. The soft, gentle touch of your hand as you ,stroked her beautiful neck and mane. The soft, trusting way she would look at you and the elegance of you ride. I was always told horses aren’t capable of love,,,bull…she loved you,
Now with all that said…..I am furious that anyone could get on this Blog and try and tell you what you did wrong or what you should not have done. How cold hearted and mean these people are!,
Why anyone would want to do that is beyond me.. If that is their opinion they should have kept to themselves. Anyone with a true passion for horses and who truly loves and admires you and Roxy (Wizaeds Baby Doll ) would never think such a thing. It was a horrible tragic accident. You are grieving and going through enough.
To all the fans and friends that told them what they thought about,,,good for you! I now am your fan too!
My heart goes out to you and your family as well Greg. Just know that Roxy will live on in all our hearts forever. The relationship the two of you had will never be forgotten and we will all see her again.
God Bless You and R.I.P. Roxy!!
To paraphrase a line from the movie Steel Magnoias, “Roxy will always be young, she will always be beautiful…” We are sad because she is gone from us now, but privileged to have been witness to such grace and beauty. I am so sorry for your loss.
What a great mare. What a great owner and trainer. So sorry to all of you for your loss…..
so sorry for your loss Stacy i cried hearing about her.
I’m so sorry that my favorite trainer has lost her favorite horse. I have lost more horses than I can count one way or another, and a few of them have been by freak accidents like this one. Accidents happen and they are tragic. I have shared the video of Roxy’s performance in 2006 many times on Facebook and am sure I will again. It was the most amazing performance of horse and rider I have ever seen. You and Roxy didn’t come together by chance, some things in life are just meant to be. For that you can smile because it happened. Love and blessings…
We don’t have television in our home and just heard about Roxy. We are SO SADDENED by her passing. Stacy and everyone else, we can ‘only’ imagine your sadness. My husband, daughter and I watched her video NUMEROUS TIMES and shared it on youtube NUMEROUS TIMES. Just so amazing! We used to have Tennessee Walkers. There’s just nothing so majestic as a horse, especially one where ‘human and horse’ become one. God bless you!
My brother-in-law forwarded me the 2006 Championship video tonight with a note, “I think you’ll like this”. He didn’t know I already had every frame of that remarkable video memorized, for I have watched it more times than I can count. Like it? I love it!!! From the first time I saw it I knew that was the realtionship/partnership I wanted with my mare, Lady Bug. So, tonight, after watching that video for the umpteenth million time, I staretd a search to learn more about Whizard’s Baby Doll. When I found this, I was heartbroken. Such a magnificent mare… gone. But what she left behind will live on forever in the hearts and minds of every horse lover that ever saw that video. The idea of a horse and human having such a bond was unimaginable to me before, but thanks to Stacy and Roxy, that is now my dream that I hope to someday make a reality. You are an extraordinary trainer Stacy, and she was an extraordinary mare. Roxy and her foal are now romping in heaven, where you will one day be reunited.
We never gonna forget her.
hopely she’s gonna find her way to horse heaven.
Because she deserve’s it.
hans
Belgium
I was sad when I heard of Roxy passing away. She was such an amazing horse and was loyal to you. I will always remember the first bareback and bridless performance. I never knew how close a trainer could be with a horse until I saw you and Roxy.
Your rides will always be inspiring to me.
I will never forget the mesmorizing performance by Stacy & Roxy. I’ve watched and shared the video many times. Though I’ve never had the opportunity to meet either of them, I was devastated at the news of Roxy’s passing, and my heart went out to Stacy for losing a companion and loyal friend.
Thank you Stacy, for showing people the magic that can be found in a trusting partnership with a horse.
I am so saddened to hear of the loss of Roxy.
Roxy will forever be sadly missed but so fondly remembered. Very sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss! As I was watching the video I noticed how much my horse resembles your Roxy. I researched the bloodlines and Roxy and my “Onyx” have the same great grandfather Hollywood Jac 86. Onyx has a wonderful personality of love for people and bonding with an individual! If you would ever like to see how much he resembles Roxy let me know:). Again your loss is greatly felt from all horseowners whom cherish their friend , the horse. Sincerely, Dianna Brisebois
Thank you, Mr. Gessner and Stacey, for sharing that incredible horse with the rest of us! Ever since I first saw y’all perform at Road to the Horse back in ’06, I became an immediate fan. I
know we’ll never quite get over losing her; I hope that time will help and there may be another
one to make us cheer. How lucky we are to have been able to see the two of you together!!
My deepest sympathy,
Equus4
I’m crying, sitting here reading this. I don’t really know how to express this, but, you and Roxy showed me a whole new aspect to horse/human relationship and training. I’ve always loved, respected and been friends with my animals, but I don’t think I really realized just how far that could be taken until I saw you and Roxy.
She was lucky to have a trainer like you, Stacy. You and Roxy are the latest to show the world what a beautiful relationship between a horse and a human looks like. You may, perhaps, even be the greatest example of that.
Saying “I’m sorry” sounds so lame… I don’t really know how to express my grief. My heart is aching and the tears won’t stop rolling down my checks. We were so blessed to be able to “meet” Roxy through the internet and her videos. She was a truly *amazing* animal.
You’re in my prayers.
Thank you so much…
Our sincere sympathy to all of you! May she and her colt rest in peace and enjoy the lush green pastures of heaven! I thoroughly enjoyed watching that incredible bond Stacey and Roxy displayed on YouTube!
I’ve watched and forwarded Roxy’s video many times. Truly 1 in a million. You both are an inspirationg to the horse world..a true trusting team. So sorry to hear she passed away – it will be a loss felt by many. Although you did get to experience her and all she was and that will be cherished forever .
Stacy, I had the honor of watching your wonderful video while you narrated at the Horse Affair in Boise a couple of years ago and have the poster of you and Roxy hanging in my living room. I watch the video every so often when I need inspiration to go on with my riding when things arn’t working out so well. I’m sad that she’s gone; God must have needed a special horse in heaven.
Stacy….Roxy was EVERYONE’S mare…it’s HARD to believe that she is gone, but will never be forgotten. Send us a picture of the box (or a horse shaped container) of where her ashes are placed, if you did it that way. At least you still have her foals & yearlings to enjoy!!
After seeing Stacy & Roxy perform at the Equine Affair in Massachusetts several years ago, I finally knew what it meant for a person to be one with a horse. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. My heart goes out to the people who loved her. I also had a special horse some years ago & know what it feels like to lose your best friend & soulmate.
My heart broke when I heard of Roxy’s passing as I’m sure yours did also. The two of you made such an amazing team. She will be missed by all who had the good fortune to see the two of you perform. You were blessed with the companionship of a truly remarkable animal. God has blessed both of you.
awww… a horse never breaks your heart til they leave for the pasture in the sky…
You have inspired many to leave cruelty and inhumanity behind, and reach for the almost perfect partnership that a human and an animal can have. And in the end, Greg made the right decision to end the pain for this special horse…. In the way that I could only wish for every horse, every beloved companion animal. One kind friend told me when I lost my boss mare of 21 years to West Nile. It is not the beginning or the end that matter. It is all the days in between. And surely Roxie’s Days were good.
I have watched the bareback bridless video many times and teared up because it was so touching and beautiful. Now, I’ll have one more reason to tear up. I am sorry to all the folks who cared for, trained, and owned her. She was one in a million. God Bless.
Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss. Anything more I could say will make both of us cry. You are in my heart!
Thank you for sharing the sad news and the inspiring message to Smile because it happened.
An important way to live our lives. Your and Roxie’s relationship was so touching and beautiful.
Horse and human connection can be so awesome in so many ways.
So sad to hear, she was an amazing horse and a great inspiration! You have been through much and the bond you and baby doll had will always be remembered, I just recently showed my mother in law the bareback ride, she was just amazed . She said she got goosebumps and just loved it! I know how heartbreaking this must be, wishing you and all that were a part of her life heartfelt condolences.
I cannot imagine the depth of this loss. She gave so much to so many through her generous owner, and Stacy. I know that I enjoyed watching her videos over and over again. My heart goes out to Stacy and all who loved her.
So incredibly sad. I was awestruck by this mare and Stacy. My heart goes out to all connections. (*_!)