Fay Ann Horton Leach – 1933 – 2025

By Ann Bleiker

The WPRA sends their prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Fay Ann Horton Leach who passed away suddenly on January 6 at the age of 88, just a month shy of her 89th birthday which would have been on February 2.

Horton Leach was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2023 in the notable category after her impact on the Association as a founding member, competitor and board member.

While Horton Leach never won a world title in barrel racing, she was always in the mix qualifying for nine consecutive NFRs (1959-1967). She would finish third in the world in 1962 behind Sherry (Combs) Johnson and Wanda Harper Bush.

Like many cowgirls during this era, they competed in many different events with calf roping being one of her favorites. In fact, she broke her mentor’s streak of six consecutive titles in calf roping when she beat Bush for the world title in 1957. She would add three more of those titles in 1959, 1963 and 1971. She won the all-around in 1960, the flag race world title in 1964 and one that might surprise everyone was her bull riding title in 1966.

In the mid-1960’s Horton Leach was elected to the GRA Board of Directors and served stints as both the barrel racing and calf roping director.

In 1967, Fay Ann married Billy Leach, who competed in the RCA roping calves and steer wrestling. Together they would get into a new business of making ropes – Billy Leach Ropes. The Billy Leach Ropes business grew to where they were turning out 150 ropes a day and it was what brought an end to Fay Ann’s time on the road. After 20 years the couple sold the business. Billy preceded her in death in 1997.

Funeral arrangements will be under the direction of Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore, Texas.

May She Rest in Peace.

(719) 447-4627
(719) 447-4631 (fax)