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| Stacy Westfall and Roxy performed a reining pattern without tack during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo: Leslie Potter |
Stacy Westfall announced on her blog today that Whizzards Baby Doll, known to her friends as Roxy, has been euthanized due to a traumatic injury sustained in her stall.
Few horses experience the kind of fame that Roxy gained in her 11 years. Roxy and Westfall were champions in the 2006 Freestyle Reining Championship at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress. The now-famous freestyle was performed completely without tack, and the performance was dedicated to Westfall’s father, who had recently passed away.
The video became a viral sensation on YouTube and caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres, who invited Westfall and Roxy to appear on her daytime talk show. Although the 2006 freestyle made Roxy famous, it wasn’t her first major victory. She was a freestyle champion at the Quarter Horse Congress with Westfall as a four year old in 2005. She had also been reserve champion in the reining futurity the Congress as a three year old with Westfall’s husband, Jesse. The black mare was owned by Greg Gessner and had been in training with the Westfalls since her two-year-old year.
Although retired from competition, Roxy came out to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to perform a bridleless and saddleless reining pattern during the opening ceremonies.
According to Westfall’s blog, Roxy sustained a traumatic injury after she apparently became cast in her stall on Feb. 5. She was treated for two days at Valley View Animal Hospital, but had to be euthanized on Feb. 8. A Caesarean section was performed in an attempt to save Roxy’s unborn colt, which was due in early March, but it was unsuccessful. Roxy has four other offspring, all carried by embryo recipient mares.
i am so sorry for your loss! i dont even want to ask what happen or why, it is too sad. you have inspired so many people. both of you!! especially my riding students…..see you in the stars roxy, wherever you are and blessd be
So sorry for your loss. Your beloved horse will always be by your side thye never really leave us.
Love this, broke my heart
a terrible loss for everyone who has ever seen Baby Doll and Stacie perform , unfotunate and a truly sad day our hearts go out to you all cowboysstables
A terrible loss to Stacy and the rest of the horse community. She will be missed.
what a tramatic loss…to the westfalls and to the horse world. i have used her video (bridleless/tackless) to show to young people with emotional issues and it has helped them learn that anything is possible. roxy is still running free showing others, how it is done…many blessings and rip roxy.
Such a tragic loss of both the mare and her unborn baby! So sorry Stacy and the owners, I know this mare meant the world to you all! I’ll never stop watching that great video of you and her at the congress going bareback and bridless. It’s just awesome the connection between horse and rider.
Such a traumatic loss of a beautiful horse, and her unborn baby. My heart goes out to the owner,and her family. I lost my beloved horse there Weeks ago,due to him casting in his stall. My heart.aches with his loss.
This is so sad! She was a beautiful, talented mare. It seems that a lot of famous horses have died recently from stall/paddock injuries: Theodore O’ Connor, Blue Hors Matinee, Hickstead, and now Roxy.
I am so sorry for their loss. She was a fantastic mare and I can’t image how they feel with this loss. I would love to have a permanent video of this ride.
So terrible! R.I.P roxy! we will miss you!
Did she have any offspring?
So sad.
wow that video was absolutely amazing!!!! so sad that she had to be put down :~(
If this just doesn’t give you chills then nothing on this earth ever will ,,just takes my breath,,,tears :O)
Oh, I am so very sorry to hear this. Roxy was a beautiful mare inside and out. I’m sure it will be so hard for Stacey and family.
I am sooooo sorry to hear this! She was a gorgeous mare, and I wanted to see that colt! Poor Stacy. I so feel for her… My stallion had to be put down because of a bad stall injury as well not too long ago. 🙁
That is so very sad. It brings tears to my eyes.
Very sad news!!! RIP Roxy!!!
My heart dropped to my feet or lower when I heard this. It is very sad. I loved Roxy and Stacy is the best. I am very sorry about the loss of so great a horse and the colt! How sad. I feel like crying for real. SAD. I can not even express what I feel. Very sorry and hope nothing else bad happens to Stacy or family for a long time to come. And if it doesn’t have to be anything else bad, don’t let it be. Well, this is the sadest news I have heard in a while
did she get hung up in the stall?? what happened???
I amso very sorry for Stacey’s loss and that of the owners they have my deepest sympathy,the first time i saw this video i cryed and every one i showed did.