A number of years ago the Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Daze created a Horseman’s Hall of Fame to recognize those who have contributed to the horse industry in this area as a competitor, breeder, promoter, organizer or in countless other ways .
This year’s inductees are Jim and Elaine Hyde of Alida, Saskatchewan.
They have been horse trainers and exhibitors all their lives, competing both in the horse show ring and the rodeo arena – something few are able to do.
Elaine has been an avid barrel racer all her life. She won her first MRCA All Around Championship in 1967 and her latest was a Saskatchewan Barrel Racing Association Select Championship in 2009 – a 42 year span. At 68 years of age she still enjoys competing at jackpots.
She has proven to have an eye for a horse buying a nice young prospect, training them to a finished barrel horse then either competing on them herself or selling them to others, including professional barrel racers, to compete on.
Jim was a successful calf roper and team roper winning calf roping championships. He later turned his talents to the horse show arena – reining in particular, competing at the National Reining Horse Futurity in Oklahoma, as well as at the National Appaloosa show, were he won a championship in reining , as well as a Reserve championship in Team Penning.
For a time he worked as a Rodeo announcer doing so from the back of a horse – placing him in the centre of the action.
About 25 years ago he became interested in the Silversmith craft and has made the buckles, spurs, etc for the VIP awards for this event for many years. He has taught the craft to others including his daughter and grandson – all three generations are making the awards for this year.
Jim and Elaine have given horsemanship and barrel racing clinics to countless numbers of people over the last 30 or more years. They have proven to have the knack of helping people, especially youth achieve success with their horses.
The lasting legacy of Jim and Elaines personal success can be seen in the people they have coached, both in lessons at their ranch or in clinics across the country, many of which have been held in this area.
Congratulations to Jim and Elaine Hyde on being inducted into the Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Daze Horseman’s Hall of Fame.
Thank – you to Darryl Horn for escorting the Jim and Elaine into the arena in his carriage. Thank – you to the Flower Attic for providing the corsage and
boutonniere for our inductees. Thank you to Kelly Lyng for making their award which is being presented by Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Daze chairman, Everett More