March 14, 2002 Shirley Ann Fisher Horseshoe Canada Hall of Fame

Horseshoe Canada HALL OF FAME Members

SHIRLEY ANN FISHER


1999 - Shirley Ann FISHER, Grandview, Man.

GENERAL: Born at Grandview, Manitoba April 21, 1943. She lives on a farm 14 miles south west of Grandview. She married Ivan Fisher in July 1959. They have farmed in the Grandview area ever since and have three sons and one daughter. Shirley Ann started pitching horseshoes after she was married. In 1977 Bert Snart of Dauphin saw Shirley Ann pitching horseshoes at 40 feet at a tournament and approached her to enter a competition at the provincial level. He explained to her that ladies were only required to pitch at 30 feet. Shirley Ann learned for the first time that such competition existed and put her heart into it.

She was Manitoba champion 14 times in two streaks of 7 years (1981 to 1987) and 6 years (1994 to 2000). In fact, she was the first and only lady in Canada to accomplish winning the Provincial Championship title for 7 consecutive years. Her highest percentage was 68.39% in 1995.

Shirley Ann participated 18 times at the Canadian Championships, always in the (Ladies) Championship Class. She played 228 games, winning 106. She placed 3rd twice: in 1996 and 1998. She also placed 4th in 1994 with her personal high of 63.22%. She pitched over 60% 5 times and her high game has been 80.8%.

1986 October 1st, Shirley Ann took office as President of the Manitoba H.P.A. and held this position until September 30, 1992. She has been Vice-President of Horseshoe Canada.

Many afternoons and evenings were spent pitching horseshoes with her family and friends. She always competed pitching at 40 feet and came out on top pitching in the men’s division many times. She organized many horseshoes tournaments at picnics, family and friends gatherings, fairs etc. A great enthusiast at pitching and organizing the sport of horseshoes. In 1977 Bert Snart of Dauphin saw Shirley Ann pitching horseshoes at 40 feet at a tournament and approached her to enter a competition at the provincial level. He explained to her that ladies were only required to pitch at 30 feet. Shirley Ann learned for the first time that such competition existed and put her heart into it. Her family also got involved. ACHIEVEMENTS AS A PLAYER Provincial level: Shirley Ann Fisher has won the Manitoba Provincial singles championship 13 times. She did it in two streaks of 7 years (1981 to 1987) and 6 years (1994 to 1999). In fact, she was the first and only lady in Canada to accomplish winning the Provincial Championship title for 7 consecutive years. Her highest percentage was 68.39% in 1995. Shirley Ann was also runner up numerous times (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1990, 1991 and 1992). She won double titles with partner Kay Spikaluk of Dauphin (1977, 1979, 1980) and with partner Terry Bilodeau of Winnipeg (1986). In 1985 the Fisher family was refered to in the 1986 edition of the Horseshoe Canada Yearbook as “A Provincial Dynasty in Horseshoes”. No other province has ever had all three top champions in one year, won by the same family. The Fisher family accomplished this outstanding feat in 1985: Men’s: Kevin FISHER, Ladies: Shirley Ann FISHER, and Junior Boys: Randy FISHER, making a clean sweep of it in the Manitoba Championships. As a bonus, Ivan Fisher took home the Men’s C trophy. Canadian level: Shirley Ann participated 18 times at the Canadian Championships, always in the (Ladies) Championship Class. She played 228 games, winning 106. She placed 3rd twice: in 1996 and 1998. She also placed 4th in 1994 with her personal high of 63.22%. She pitched over 60% 5 times and her high game has been 80.8%. International Level: In 1981 she placed 4th in Ladies D at the World Tournament held at Genola, Minnesota. In 1993, she placed 6th in the Ladies B at Spearfish, South Dakota. ACHIEVEMENTS AS A PROMOTER Provincial level: 1986 October 1st, Shirley Ann took office as President of the Manitoba Horseshoe Players Association and held this position until September 30, 1992 for 6 consecutive years. The first Lady in Canada to become President of their provincial association. 1992 She received a plaque from the Manitoba Horseshoe Players Association in appreciation for her years of dedication as President 1986-1992. 1987 - She got the M.H.P.A. inducted into the Manitoba Sports Federation as a multi-sport member and started receiving funding for our sport. Now a full sport member of the Federation. Regional level: 1985 Head co-ordinator for the building of 5 courts in the Wilson Park at Grandview, called the Grandview Horseshoe Gardens. In 1991 another 2 courts were built making a total of 7 horseshoe pitching courts. 1991 Organized and ran a horseshoe tournament in the Parkland Summer Games held at Grandview. The first time horseshoe was included in these games. 1992 Organized and ran a horseshoe tournament at the Grand Plains Summer Games held in Grandview. Horseshoe was played as a demonstration sport. She also organized a handicap horseshoe league in Grandview for 2 years. Canadian level: Since 1983 she is delegate to the Horseshoe Canada A.G.M. Since 1986 she is the director on the Horseshoe Canada Hall of Fame Committee. She has been Vice-President of Horseshoe Canada. Shirley Ann is also very active with her community volunteering her time. She was Vice-president of the Grandview Ladies Curling Club. She enjoys all sports, participating and organizing. Shirley Ann’s many other achievements make her a very deserving inductee into the Hall of Fame.



Click on picture to enlarge it




Back to Main Page