William's American Career Start
In the late seventies, William made his first debut as a rodeo cowboy in multiple world champ bull rider Larry Mahan's rodeo revues. (William's remarkable journey to the chutes and the rodeo arena is described in William's tribute to Charles Holbrook on this website). As young William's horizon broadened with perspectives that reached over the ocean, his father asked his son not to leave for the United States. 'Build your dream with us here in Westerlo, and I will build you a ranch.' The rest of the story became a legacy — Gipsy Horses Ranch. Today, William is still actively connected with the American Western Heritage and Rodeo Industry.
(This poster was quite recently retrieved in California. It was used for the first Larry Mahan show in Belgium, Europe, where William was talent-scouted by Charles Holbrook in Bob Cook's Larry Mahan Production.)
William Henry Dougan's Early Cowboy Days
This picture must habe been 1980 when Lord Landkey's Gipsy Horses Ranch was established by his family and himself. He did it all — breaking colts, training horses, trail rides, and foremost; attracting customers.
His Charisma Brought in the Customers
His characteristic appearance —always wearing a cowboy hat— made him the perfect ambassador for the ranch. Ladies felt attracted to him, and their presence on the ranch was the perfect magnet to get the male clientele in.
In low audience season, William purposely went out to dancings, bars and other places to find new customers for the ranch. And the story goes that some females even spent the night in their cars, to make sure to see William in the morning.
William — the Bareback Riding Trail Guide
In an early stage, the ranch owned just one single cowboy saddle. As this was strictly reserved for customers William guided all the trail rides riding bareback.
Competing on American Soil
Although his love for his family made him develop Gipsy Horses Ranch in Westerlo, Belgiium, William ofen crossed the ocean to compete in the United States.
William's Famous Blurry Photograph
This is most probably William's most famous photograph. It has been used on many flyers, brochures, posters, etc.. It got blurry because the original got lost one day and prints were copied again and again. This version at the left is based on the iconic original that eventually got retrieved.
William Henry and William Junior
