Horse partner Roxy of famed Stacy Westfall is dead
Posted: Saturday, February 11, 2012
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
This is the final story of a beautiful Quarter Horse Mare who rocketed into the public eye together with her human partner, Stacy Westfall. Among her other stories, this mare lays claim to being ridden bareback and without a bridle as she performed in unison with Westfall like poetry in motion. We all knew her as Roxy; her registered name was Whizards Baby Doll.
Perhaps most horsemen will recall Roxy in a viral You Tube video wherein she won the Freestyle Reining Championship in 2006 at the American Quarter Horse Congress. She was ridden by Westfall without benefit of saddle OR bridle. She executed her “job” with perfection at that Congress – a performance that endeared her forever in the minds of knowledgeable horse people that appreciate amazing performances.
As a young filly Roxy was started in training by Westfalls. Says Stacy Westfall, “I was the first one to ride her.”
She goes on, “We had a chance to buy Roxy but couldn’t afford her. We referred her to Greg Gessner, who bought her and kept her in training with us. He loved that horse from the beginning!”
Says Gessner, “I 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.”
So the Westfalls trained Roxy, and life went on with this beautiful mare. Stacy Westfall exhibited her in the Congress events, the video was taken and went viral, and before long, everyone in the horse world was buzzing about this remarkable mare. It even caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres who invited the dynamic duo of Westfall and Roxy to the eventful show.
Four foals, using a surrogate, were carried to term and make up a legacy. But the foal that Roxy herself was carrying could not be saved despite all efforts by Valley View Animal Hospital. From the looks of the large foaling stall, Roxy apparently cast during the night. While she was standing, she had abrasions on her nose and legs, probably caused by her efforts to stand up. The obvious struggle she went through was very evident in the stall.
She immediately received veterinary care but her discomfort became dramatically worse throughout the day. She was moved to Valley View where she was made comfortable. She had sustained shredding of ligaments and muscle tissue in flanks and both stifles. The damage was so severe that her pain was not relieved sufficiently by morphine and pain killers. The most difficult decision had to be made and Roxy was euthanized.
All efforts to save the unborn foal, one month from full term, proved hopeless.
Some lovely creatures leave footprints on our hearts. Anyone who ever saw the video, or followed this amazing mare, will never forget her. Without any doubt, Roxy will be greatly missed.
We share the Westfalls’ and Gessner’s grief.
This story and others are written by The Old Gray Mare of www.DressYourHorse.com and her blog sites.See Westfall's and Roxy's winning ride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNR_R83dZl8/watch?v=SNR_R83dZ
This Article has been viewed 721 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Hi Heidi.
This is very sad news indeed. I really don't know what to say. It saddens me a great deal.
Hugs,
DianneThank you Dianne. Theirs was such a remarkable partnership. Sad way for the horse to go. They also lost the colt she was carrying. They tried to save the horse but they could not even subdue the pain while the horse was in the sling. They felt they had to relieve her suffering. Sad indeed.Well, I responded once already to this comment but, apparently, I didn't save it as a comment or the system didn't take it.
Thanks Dianne. Theirs was a partnership that was remarkable and amazing. Both Westfall and Roxy seemingly were meant to be together, and could get the best out of each other. I will add the post of her win at the Congress today. Couldn't get my pictures on either yesterday so will try again today. Glad you had the chance to reach and thanks again.
This is terribly sad, Heidi, I feel heartsore just reading about i. You've written a beautiful tribute.I know it's always such a sad thing when a premature accident takes someone or something that is beloved. In this case, it's a horse but what a truly amazing animal she was. Her relationship with Stacy is something else. So in tune were they together, that the bond seemed magical. I met Stacy at one of the Equine Fairs and she is herself very amazing and kindhearted. She transferred that into her horse. I've worked with horses all my life and cannot imagine that I could be that phenomenal with any of my horses - they were as one. Your comment touched me.
I'm so sad about the loss of this horse. I had seen Stacy in person at the EquiFaire and she's such a knowledgeable and good person. Sad about the horse, really.I agree. It's too bad they could not save her or her foal. I appreciate your reading the article and taking time to comment.
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