Privileged:
How I feel about being part of the magic with Roxy.
Overwhelmed:
How I feel about YOUR response to Roxy….both in life and in death.
Humbled:
by how God used us– how he used a horse to touch so many lives.
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us…and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.
2 Corinthians 2:14
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So sad to hear about Roxey and her colt! Truly tragic to lose such an amazing horse. When I was 8, I lost my first pony, BlackBird, after winning first place in a costume class at a local horseshow. I was dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, and was cute as a button that night. My neighbor had hauled BlackBird to the show in the back of his covered box truck whose walls were strips of wood, and BlackBird got his leg hung in this and broke his leg. I ran down the next morning to see him, and there he was favoring his left leg, that was broken so badly it was bleeding. This was 1974, and there was nothing anyone could do. Thanks for being a great inspiration and role model for us all! God bless you and keep you!
such a sad story….
Where the spirit of the Lord is their is liberty; a right that every creature deserves.You will continue to bless the horse world with your values praise God.Sympathies from Australia.
I just learned of this… I am speachless and shocked. I really don’t know what to say. How very very sad. I know the pain of losing a horse. I had my once in a lifetime special horse and Roxy was that special once in a lifetime horse for you I’m sure. Run Free Roxy…Run Free
I wonder what god was thinking when he created the horse. Whatever it was I’m glad that these amazing creatures whose huge beautiful eye and big soft hearts share our lives. I love my horses. There’s no other way to say, we say it in our actions like getting up at the crack of dawn in 5 degree weather to feed them. However no matter how hard the job,bad the weather, or crappy our outside lives are; there is something about entering the barn, breathing deep, hearing the horses nicker snort or stomp their welcome(or impatience), we know that when everyone else might be grumpy judgemental it just plain mean these creatures will always see us as us always listen as we talk and never never think of us than anything other than who and what we are inside and out……… God bless the horse! And thanks for creating them in the first place
Roxy will be missed forever she was such an inspiration and raised the bar in horse, donkey and mule training. 🙂
What an amazing horse and an amazing partnership. You are an inspiration to so many! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. It seems God must know which are the best horses and it is all part of the plan that he chooses the best of the best to join his remuda and run free.
This poem is not mine, it was written by Theresa Whitmarsh-Berryman. I just read it in Buck Brannaman’s book “Believe”. I was moved by it and I think it’s worth of sharing. I when I read this poem last week, I thought of Roxy, I thought of the relationship that you two shared. I am sure that the Lord tied the bosalita in Roxy’s forelock. I hope that someday I will receive my own, bosalita. “A bosalita is defined as a decorative bosal secured in the forelock. It has no real function; it is jewelry to honor the horse and his/her accomplishments.” (Buck Brannaman)
Here’s the poem:
I yearn to earn the right to wear the bosalita someday.
As I’m passing through the Light at the end of my life,
I hope I’ll feel my Lord carefully tie it in my hair,
A symbol that I allowed the Master to complete His work with me.
That after I balked and braced, I yielded to His hands,
When I stalled out, uncertain, I learned to move forward, freely following His lead,
That when I flew in fear, not caring for my fate, but only for my fear,
I learned to slow my feet and wait on Him, until sure of Him,
I ran with faith, swift and certain and true, in the paths He made for me
May the Lord bless you for your faithfulness and for honoring Him.
so sorry Stacy- you and your horse have been such an inspiration for my daughter, who barrell races. after recieving the video “Live like you are Dying” from a friend, we also saw you on Ellen. She has ridden her pony without saddle or reins, and since watching you is now practicing riding her barrel horse without a saddle.I’m so sorry about Roxy and pray God will comfort you and send another special horse your way-not to replace her but to be another loving compainion. My daughter , whose middle name is Stacey is going to be so saddened by this, she is at school and doesn’t know about it yet. she watches your video over and over again. thank you and thank God for allowing you and Roxy to be such inspirations for so many people.
Stacey, i also had a one in a million horse, although he was not famous, he did touch a lot of lives but most of all mine. I know that Roxy & my Sir Dorado are running free, in tall grass, with beautiful streams & they will be there to greet us when the time comes. You are an insperation to some one like my self. I am self tought, from you and anyone i can learn from. watching you & Roxy perform after your father died, made me cry, but it brought me so much strength to perservere & never quit. Thank you so much,
Barbara
So sad – I just learned of Roxy. I’m so sorry – I know how I feel and I never met her, so can only imagine how you feel, Stacy. She was an amazing animal.
Sincères condoléences Satcy. Le seigneur veille sur Roxy à présent. Courage.
Vous êtes un modèle pour tous.
Amitiers de France.
Barbara.
(Joh 16:22) And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Dear Stacy…I write to you from New Zealand to tell you my family is devastated by the loss of your Roxy & to let you know what an inspiration you & Roxy have been to all of us. Our hearts are with you. The love between you both was a blessing to watch & is a wonderful lesson for all of us in communication between ourselves & the horses we are privileged to have in our lives. May Roxy now gallop free in the starry night sky & may your grief heal with the knowledge of the love you shared. Erica
I have told so many about this terrible horrible tragic accident. It has been on my mind every since I first heard. I never got to meet you or Roxy in person but just watching videos it seems like I knew you both personally. I know my post is just like the other couple thousand that you have gotten but I am truely sorry about that horrible loss of a one of a kind horse. One that can never be replaced. I lost my gelding last year and I know.how it is to not be able to find another one like your favorite. May God be with you and your family during the grievance of the beautiful wonderful Roxy.
She was such an inspirational horse, and you such an inspirational person. You both inspired me to work harder and harder every day. I have never met you, nor roxie, but it was obvious the bond you both shared. I can only imagine how much time and patience you put into that mare. You both have touched so many people, including my self, so DEEPLY. There is a reason for her passing, God had it in his plan all along. If only us humans could understand that plan. But everything happons for a reason. She touched more people in her short amount of time on this earth than another could do in a lifetime. Rest in peace, sweet roxie. God Bless you stacy.
-Hannah
Reiki for Roxy and her foal in their spirit transition ans for all concerned ….love light and blessings…..Namaste….Karen
I just saw this, and I am so very sorry for your loss! I would watch you and Roxy ride, and it always took my breath away. You can see the bond the two of you had. Thank YOU! and RIP Roxy! You will be missed greatly!
YOU ARE SUCH A BLESSING STACY…IN EVERY ASPECT ! GOD BLESS YOU !
Stacy, We all feel part of your pain , Over the loss of the beloved Roxy…
However you and Roxy have been an inspiration to many of us..
We just had the pleasure of meeting you last yr at RTTH .. even though we had been following you for some time..
We know that Jesus gives you strength during this incredibly hard grieving time , and hope in him you can be comforted by his grace..
Sending hugs and Prayers to you and your family as well as Roxy’s owner…
Words can not express how much you and Roxy have touched peoples lives. We all dream to have a horse like her and have the ability to ride her like you…
So very sorry for the loss of a great horse at a young age.You were each blessed to have had one another. RIP Roxy
I’ve enjoyed your clinics with Roxy. You had the same connection with her that I have with my 5yr old QH Mare. I ride her bareback without a bridal also. We’re actually neighbors (kinda). I only live 5 miles from Strausburg.
Stacy….. Your insight about how God used you & Roxy is so touching & so very true. Watching the two of you ride was the single most POWERFUL influence on my desire to better myself through horsemanship. You were so blessed to have a partner like her, and she to have a partner like you!
Stacy,
I am a huge fan of yours. When I first saw your performance, I told myself I wanted to be just like you. I just recently saw that Roxy and her foal passed away, and I still cry everyday asking God “Why was it her? Why were they the two to go?”. I know God has his reasons. Roxy will be remember as the beautiful black majestic-looking mare that Stacy Westfall rode in the Championship Run of 06′. Millions of people will miss Roxy, but I can’t imagine the pain you must be feeling. Stacy, your family is in my prayers. And someday I hope to be just like you. God Bless 🙂
With Love,
Sarah Mintz
13 years old, South Texas.
APHA Member
an amazing horse and an amazing woman…..you are in my thoughts and prayers……you both are an inspiration to me….god bless you stacy……and roxy too
I whole heartedly agree with Patsy Duncan ! Thank you Stacy also for your stand for the Lord ! We need that voice and you and Roxy have sent the message around the world !
Thank you for accepting my friend request on Facebook. I pray that your grief is short lived, but Roxy’s memory will live on. God Bless you and all who have been touched by Roxy’s death.
Your faith in the Lord has always been an inspiration to me and I have seen how it’s carried through in your training. Have faith that Roxy has a special place with the Lord and you will get to ride her again one day. When you signed a Breyer for me at the Pa Horse Expo, you signed it “Ride with faith”. I want you to always carry that faith and know that Roxy will always be with you, just like the Lord is always with you. God Bless.
Tears
You are a testimony for God’s work. You have not been ashamed of Him; he will not be ashamed of you. You are a living presence of what He has for us. We may lose; but He always gives us back and in so much more abundance. Thank you for your life; living in God’s will. May he bless you always. I grieve for you and your family, but smile at the memories 🙂
You and Roxy were poetry in motion,breathtaking to watch and inspiring. Thank you. You touched my life.
amen and amen Peace to you
Im sorry to here about roxy she was a very nice horse and she will be missed alot
I am still heartbroken over the loss of Roxy. She was amazing as you are as well. I lost my mom to a car wreck in 94 and your ride to live like you were dyeing was such an inspiration to me. God Bless you!
Stacy,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know that this has to be very difficult for you. Please know that we are all here for you.
You and Roxy continue to be an inspiration to me!
Meghan
It is so awesome to know that you are a christian and you are not afraid to let everyone know. Not very many people that are in the spotlight will admit they love the Lord. My hat is off to you! Thank you for being so open. God bless!!
GodBless you. I have you in my prayers. Mom
Hello Stacy,
I hope you read this because I would just love to tell you how much yourself and Roxy touched me and many other teenage girls. I will NEVER forget going to Ohio’s Equine Affair a few years ago, sitting in the stands during one of your demos, and watching you and that brilliant mare move around the arena. You are, and will always be my hero. I hope someday I can ride like you can and touch horses like Roxy and have them touch my life as well.
A million thanks to you both for being amazing heroes to me and other girls.
– Abby
You and Roxy have touch so many people deeply… for me I always get a tear in my eye remember ing the special carefree childhood times I shared with my beloved horse and the close bond we had when I watch you two together.. Those precious moments can never be replaced but I can always relive some of those feelings watching you guys! Thanks Stacy and Thanks Roxy! 🙂
Roxy was an amazing horse. Thank you to those who did not let her suffer and made the unselfish decision to let her go. There truly is a time in life when you need to consider quality of life over quantity of life. May her legacy live on in all of you.
How amazing Stacey that you come before us with such grace and humility in a time of mourning..I love the witness that you are for the Lord….you will see your Roxy again…..when your faith is truly realized and you will never have to part with her again….
she was special!!!
Hey. Stacy
Just curious if Breyer is going to have Roxy featured as one of their horse models?? I would love to see her memory live on!
I’m sure fans and friends would gladly lend their support as well!
Heather: Breyer created a model of Roxy in 2009.
The Roxy Breyer was a limited edition. Not sure if you can still get them.
Brilliant idea, and another way for her memory to live on forever!
Stacy, Your testimony to Gods great love means so much to me and others who are so honored to have the gift of horses in our lives. We all miss Roxy but have in our memories the team work and inspiration you both created. Blessings Mary Jo
Stacy- You and Roxy have been such an inspiration to so many of us out here. We share your heartache. Please know that.
We are PRIVILEGED
We are OVERWHELMED
We are HUMBLED
We are BLESSED
To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die ……God Bless
🙂
Stacy, I am so sorry for your loss, you had such a bond with her. I too have that bond with my first mare and I know I would be without words if I ever lost her.. You are in my prayers daily..Hugs to you Stacy.
A very touching quote, I love it. God Bless you Stacey.. you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Roxy was an amazing horse and I’m sure God will bless you with many more amazing horses!
I believe that in our faithfullness to him he rewards us with things that are dear to our hearts. Your willingness to give him the glory in all that you acomplish speaks volumes for your faith. The bond that allowed the two of you to do all that you did was truly a blessing upon you from him. My heart hurts for you in your loss, but I also know that he will sustain you and bring you out the other side even stronger.
Amen Stacey, She is now running free over the rainbow bridge with her baby.
Amen.
Stacy,
Thank you for being obedient and humble. The Lord will continue to lift you up. He will give you strength. thanks be to Him who always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus.
Jennifer
Amen. Well said, Jennifer!! Stacy, thank you for being a genuine representative of a Spirit-filled (vs “religious”) servant. What an inspiration you are! I pray God will fill you with tremendous joy even in the midst of sorrow.
Roxy was so special and I am so blessed to have been at your clinic one summer a few years back when she arrived at your place. The picture of her with you, and with myself and my horse has been on my desk for inspiration ever since. She was awesome as are you Stacy. I am saddened more than words can say by her passing. My heart is with her owner and with you.
I was just looking through photos from the clinics, looking at Roxy in them. Thanks for stopping by Marty, maybe we can all go trail riding some time this summer!
Stacy, I think your great. I attend the University of Findlay because of you to follow my own dreams of training horses. I want to say that the loss of Roxy has hit my friends and I very hard as it has for you too. I am very sorry about the terrible nightmare you had to go through as I have also been through it. I will see you at equine affair April 13th! The University equine freshman will be coming as a group. Any questions or comments? Look me up on facebook if you would like.
-Toni Henthorn
A reunion trail ride would be such fun! Your family and Greg are in my thoughts and prayers Take care. Marty King
Stacy, I am so sorry for your loss. It is unimaginable pain when you lose such a magnificent animal and friend. I lost my horse, Winner, a month ago but am in India so I didn’t get to say good bye. It’s very hard. Know that sometimes letting go is the hardest but best thing you can do. Roy will be waiting for you over the rainbow bridge.
Sorry, darn spellcheck, Roxy