2003 Inductees

B O O T H I L L M U S E U M

Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame

2003 Inductees

Henry Gardiner

2003
Rancher/Cattleman

Henry Gardiner is owner and operator of the Gardiner Angus Ranch near Ashland, Kansas. He runs his family’s ranch with the assistance of his three sons Greg, Mark and Garth, and specializes in the production and sale of superior Angus breeding stock. The ranch, established by the Gardiner family in 1885, consists of 21,000 acres of prime breeding ground for GAR Angus, Gardiner Quarter Horses, and many of Mother Nature’s free roaming creatures. Henry was named after his Grandfather who settled in western Kansas. Due to his 1947 grand champion steer at the State Fair that won him $100 to put towards his purchase of two registered heifers, he was one of the first ranchers to employ artificial insemination in the 1950s. By 1964, all breeding at the ranch was done by artificial insemination with no clean-up bulls. Gardiner went on to implement ultrasound technology on all registered bulls in 1987. Today, the Gardiner Angus Ranch keeps extensive genetic data on their herds and they sell around 1,000 head at the ranch’s annual Production Sale. On Jan. 21, 2015 Henry passed away; his wife Nan, and the rest of their family all continue to live and cultivate the land settled by Henry’s ancestors.

“From a covered wagon to a 21,000 acre, 1,800-head Angus beef cow operation…we’ve been fortunate… It’s a good life and a great way to make a living.”

JIM GRAY

2003
Cowboy Historian

Jim Gray is a fourth generation rancher. Gray’s Ranch, a cow/calf operation, is located near Geneseo. In 1990, he created the Legacy Trail, a self-guided auto tour for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which includes seventeen scenic and historic sites. Continuing to encourage the preservation of Kansas history, Gray started the Drovers Mercantile in 1995, as well as the C.O.W.B.O.Y. Society in 1996, which publishes the Kansas Cowboy newspaper six times a year. In the fall of 2002, Jim Gray recorded “Around the Campfire with the Cowboy, Kansas Cattle Towns” as a way to promote and preserve the “cowboy way” of Kansas History.

“Never Sell Yer Saddle"

Leonard Hampton

2003
Rodeo Cowboy

Leonard Hampton was born and raised in Dodge City. As a young man, he did trick roping and worked the chutes at rodeos to earn money for his entrance fees to compete in other rodeo events, such as calf roping and steer wrestling. As a member of the Rodeo Cowboys Association since 1962, he pursued a career in professional calf roping. In the early 1970’s, Leonard endured a painful knee injury, which kept him from competing in the National Finals Rodeo. With professional competition on hold, Leonard made a new career for himself by training horses; a side job he had started earlier in the rodeo profession. In 1972, Leonard and his wife, Mary, built an indoor arena The Hampton, which allowed Leonard to work and train horses all year around. It hosted the first jackpot arena team roping competitions in Dodge City. Years later, the arena still hosts team roping events and weekly practices. Leonard, along with his wife, continue to stay active in teaching and coaching roping to all ages, and participate in the Annual Methodist Youthville Boy’s Ranch Cattle Drive. Team roping, calf roping, team penning, and barrel racing have been a part of the continued history of Dodge City’s “Cowboy Capital of the World” thanks to Leonard and Mary Hampton.

“He’s a cowboy…he likes to work with cattle…We have the arena…we’re getting a little age on us, but we just try to keep things going.” – Mary Hampton describing her husband, Leonard.

Richard Ingland

2003
Working Cowboy

Richard Ingland is an employee of Wilroads Garden Feed yard and born in Beaver County, Oklahoma in 1941, spent his childhood working on his family’s farm, which included a feedlot. His love for animals began when he assisted his father, a foreman at a local sale barn. Richard learned at an early age to work hard and “Cowboy Up”. He credits his Dad and his pony, Spot, for his riding ability. Around the age of seventeen he began to travel the rodeo off and on for about six years. In order to support his “hobby,” Ingland worked in the farming and livestock field. In 1960, he married Maybelle and the two began their family, causing Richard to give up rodeos and work for the Kansas State Highway Department. However, his love of the cowboy lifestyle led him back to employment dealing with cattle and horses. Richard is an active member of the Dodge City Roundup, the Dodge City Roundup Team Penning Association, and assists with the Annual Youthville Cattle Drive. He continues to take part in team penning events, 4-H, and Little Britches Rodeos, while still breaking horses. Anyone who knows Richard Ingland will testify that he is the epitome of the “True American Working Cowboy.”

“The Cowboy Way is not about pay, but helping out fellow cowboys.”

Ron Long

2003
Cowboy Entertainer/Artist

Ron Long was raised on a working ranch near Garden City, Kansas. Born in 1925, he spent most of his youth helping his family raise and break horses for the Army. After serving in World War II, Ron returned to Kansas and began a career as a professional cowboy and while competing in rodeo rough stock events. After marrying, Ron left the rodeo circuit to provide a stable income for his new family. However, Ron’s love of rodeo and dedication to the “Cowboy Way” continued to influence his way of life. Ron, along with other cowboys, brought rodeo to Dodge City; by creating the Dodge City Roundup and building three separate rodeo arenas. He served as president for the Dodge City Roundup, Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of Dodge City Days. Ron assisted Dodge City in establishing the Cowboy Invitational Golf Tournament to support the cowboy lifestyle in other ways than rodeo. Furthering his devotion as a cowboy, Ron is a member of the Texas Longhorn Breeders of America, which works to celebrate the history and legend of the American Cowboy. Ron passed away on March 16, 2015.

“My heroes have always been cowboys.”