Fay Ann Horton Leach became a member of the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA) in 1956.
She competed in rodeos from the mid fifties to the mid seventies. During which she won 7 World Titles including All Around, Calf Roping, Flag Racing and Bull Riding.
Fay Ann qualified for the first GRA Barrel Racing Finals, in Clayton, New Mexico, and went on to qualify for 10 consecutive National Finals Rodeos from 1957 to 1967 in the Barrel Racing.
As a member of the GRA, Fay Ann served on the Board of Directors as Calf Roping and Barrel Racing director. Fay Ann and her long time friend Florence Youree, attended the RCA (Rodeo Cowboy Association) Convention for three years in an effort to gain equal money for the Barrel Racers. They were not able to benefit from their efforts, but it did pay off for the future cowgirls.
At the heart of all the wins which Fay Ann achieved, belonged to her horses, but the one that she would never part with was “Roan Dandy”. He was not only a great barrel horse; he was also a good roping horse. In her career most of her wins in the different events were on her grey gelding “Dandy”. He died on her ranch at the age of 33.
Fay Ann has worn many hats in her life; she was instrumental from the beginning in the success of the lariat rope business known as “Billy Leach Ropes” that Billy started back in 1955. She has been a business woman, a rancher, horse trainer, and competitor.
Fay Ann still lives on her ranch in Kilgore, where you can find her most any day horseback still doing what she loves, riding and checking cattle on her ranch. She became a Christian years ago living it, breathing it, and exposing Christianity to everyone she meets.
