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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2026
Gary Ledford
Gary Ledford,born June 28, 1946, began his rodeo career in 1969 competing full-time with traveling partner and mentor Barry Burk. Ledford hit the ground running, making it to the NFR his rookie year where he posted the fastest tie-down at the finals: 9.0 seconds. The following year (1970), he again roped the fastest calf at the NFR: 9.7 seconds. In all, Ledford qualified for the NFR a total of nine years including 1978 when he finished third in the world winning the average with 139.9 seconds on 11 head. He also won the Cheyenne Frontier Days in1971 and the highly acclaimed Copenhagen/Skoal roping in 1977 using the $15,000 winnings from the event to establish his 15 Grand Ranch, which he still runs today.
Some other notable wins were Pecos, Dallas and Omaha (winning all three twice), Cow Palace, Greeley, Salt Lake City, Casper and the average at the Prairie Circuit Finals in its inaugural year in Wichita, Kansas.
Last year, Ledford was inducted into the Windy Ryon Memorial Roping Hall of Fame, winning champion tie-down calf roper there in 1978 and 1990. He rodeoed for five decades from 1969 to 2003. After retiring from competition, he gave lessons for another 20 years before focusing on his ranching operation. Known for his quiet demeanor and uncompromising work ethic, Ledford is married to his high school sweetheart, Carol.
They have two children, son, Morris, an NFR qualifier in 1992, and daughter, Misty, six grandchildren and three great grandsons. The Ledfords live in Comanche, Oklahoma.
Gary Ledford,born June 28, 1946, began his rodeo career in 1969 competing full-time with traveling partner and mentor Barry Burk. Ledford hit the ground running, making it to the NFR his rookie year where he posted the fastest tie-down at the finals: 9.0 seconds. The following year (1970), he again roped the fastest calf at the NFR: 9.7 seconds. In all, Ledford qualified for the NFR a total of nine years including 1978 when he finished third in the world winning the average with 139.9 seconds on 11 head. He also won the Cheyenne Frontier Days in1971 and the highly acclaimed Copenhagen/Skoal roping in 1977 using the $15,000 winnings from the event to establish his 15 Grand Ranch, which he still runs today.
Some other notable wins were Pecos, Dallas and Omaha (winning all three twice), Cow Palace, Greeley, Salt Lake City, Casper and the average at the Prairie Circuit Finals in its inaugural year in Wichita, Kansas.
Last year, Ledford was inducted into the Windy Ryon Memorial Roping Hall of Fame, winning champion tie-down calf roper there in 1978 and 1990. He rodeoed for five decades from 1969 to 2003. After retiring from competition, he gave lessons for another 20 years before focusing on his ranching operation. Known for his quiet demeanor and uncompromising work ethic, Ledford is married to his high school sweetheart, Carol.
They have two children, son, Morris, an NFR qualifier in 1992, and daughter, Misty, six grandchildren and three great grandsons. The Ledfords live in Comanche, Oklahoma.
