Hankla was a successful early-day trainer from Colorado.  Hankla is known for his activities with the champion performance horse and sire, Absarokee Sunset.  Hankla was the trainer credited with taking Absarokee Sunset to numerous wins in reining, pleasure, roping and games.  He managed to successfully train and show after losing one hand and crippling the other in an electrical accident at the age of 21.  This handicap has never stopped him from competing in life contests and winning consistently in Appaloosa performance events.