BILL & ELAINE SPEIGHT
"HALL OF FAME" INDUCTION
Presentation made by Larry Sands

It is my pleasure tonight to have the honor of inducting a very special couple into the C.C.H.A. Hall of Fame.

Bill & Elaine grew up in the Rocky Mountain House area. They raised a family of four boys and were very involved in the family oilfield construction business until they were introduced to the world of cutting horses by the late George Oxtoby.

In 1977, Bill & Elaine created Will-O-Lane Stables and purchased two Doc's Hotrodder offspring - the filly Hotrodder Coke and the yearling stallion Conquest Bars. Bill trained the two horses and in 1978 took Hotrodder Coke to his first judged cuttings, the 3 year old Pacific Coast Futurity in Santa Rosa, California, where he finished 17 in the Open and 6th in the Non-Pro. The following year he returned to win the Non-Pro on Conquest Bars.

In 1980 Bill became a professional trainer and they purchased the yearling colt Hotrodder Disco who has earned the title of the all time leading money earning sire at the Canadian Supreme. His loss in 1995 was a great blow to the cutting horse industry.

Elaine is also a tremendous "showman" and has gained great respect in the cutting horse world. She has futurity wins, Alberta and Canadian Championships and International awards.

Bill & Elaine introduced their sons to cutting as well. Daryl spent one season competing and won a C.C.H.A. year-end event and a trophy saddle. Wil has become a respected trainer and showman and lives with his family in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Troy does not compete but lives "just down the road" with his wife and two children. Youngest son A.J. had tremendous success in youth and in Non-Pro, and he won the National High School Rodeo Championship in Shawnea, Oklahoma on the great gelding "Lena Bar Mico". A.J. also lives close by with his wife and young son.

Bill & Elaine's show records are very impressive. It would take hours to itemize all their accomplishments. However, show records are not what this is about.

All throughout the development of their own careers, Bill & Elaine were very involved in the growth of the Alberta Cutting Horse Association and the C.C.H.A. Their philosophy has been that it is the responsibility of each member to help the associations grow, to attract new interest to the sport, and to conduct the business of the association with integrity and fairness - always trying to determine what is best for the sport as a whole. From 1979 to 1986, Bill became president of the ACHA and Elaine became secretary. They returned in those roles in 1990 to 1992 and again in 1994 (over 10 years!!). They continued as ACHA directors until 2000. Throughout this time they have been involved as directors of the Canadian Cutting Horse Association, the Cutting Horse Breeder's Association and the Canadian Supreme. Both Bill and Elaine have spent countless volunteer hours in the administration of these associations and in the planning and implementation of other various events and functions. In 1981 the Speights were instrumental in establishing an open 3 year old futurity event. The first futurity was held at Will-O-Lane and has developed into the Canadian Futurity Classic held each October in Calgary. Elaine has introduced the Western Horse Sale which continues to grow and offer good working horses, especially young cutting prospects to the public. Elaine is currently past president and now Secretary of the Hans Hansma Canadian Youth Scholarship Fund, established to aid Canadian youth cutters in their post-secondary educational efforts. In 1998 Bill & Elaine were recipients of the Andy Rose Memorial Award which represents the acknowledgment of contributions made by Alberta horsemen, as nominated by and chosen by Alberta horsemen.

For 23 years, Bill & Elaine have shared their passion, knowledge and commitment in so many ways to so many people. They have given their TIME and LOYALTY to the C.C.H.A. and the amazing sport of cutting. When help has been needed with fundraising, finding sponsorships, producing cutting events, or ringing new cutters to the show ring, they have always been there - and they still are today.

Please welcome the newest inductees to the C.C.H.A. Hall Of Fame - - Bill and Elaine Speight.