Kenny Ballard is considered a Cowboy on the ranch or in the rodeo arena. He grew up on a ranch on Snyder Creek, north of Lance Creek in Converse and Niobrara counties. He went to work breaking horses for Smidt Brothers when he was 15 and worked for the Joss Ranch, Joe Madden at the Sale Yard in Lusk, Jordan Ranch, Rawhide Ranch, Todd Serman at Horse Creek and Medicine Bow Ranch in Carbon County. Kenny was Ranch Foreman on the Yellowstone Ranch in Fremont County for a good many years and Field Manager and Inspector for Oppenheimer Cattle Ind.
In addition to working for various ranches, Kenny also ran quite a few cattle of his own and went to rodeos when possible. Kenny also had a very illustrious career in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Kenny competed in the Saddle Bronc riding and the Steer Wrestling in numerous rodeos throughout the West, often winning the All-Around title.
Kenny is also a Cowboy Artist. He has done pen and ink drawings and oil paintings of Western Art, and some Bronzes of the different rodeo events.