Rider Rundown with...

Elijah & Huntley Jennings

By Katlin Truelsen / CAC Media Group

Elijah and Huntley Jennings are brothers from South Carolina who share a passion for bull riding. Elijah recently qualified to ride at the Junior World Finals in 2022 and younger brother Huntley was there to cheer him on every step of the way. Both brothers are homeschooled and spend their time working together to better one another for the 2023 season. They recently sat down and talked with Katlin Truelsen of the CAC Media Group about how they manage school and their brotherly bull riding competition.

KT: Thanks for sitting down with me guys. First, I want to talk a little bit about what your homeschooling looks like. What is your routine?

EJ: Yeah, sure. Around 7:00 I start working on my schoolwork and try to get as much done before I get frustrated.

Elijah Jennings

HJ: I try to do as much as I can before I feel stuck and need a break. When we are behind, we wake up a little earlier to get more done.

KT: What else do you guys do after you’re done with your schoolwork besides bull riding?

EJ: We do a little fishing and help our dad at home.

KT: What does your bull riding practice look like with school?

EJ: We buck bulls every week, rain, or shine. We get on the barrel, and yoga balls almost every day. We try to get in as much practice as possible.

Huntley Jennings

KT: When you practice together do you get competitive?

HJ: When we work on the drop barrel and practice, we try to really work together and help each other as much as possible. Anything other than that though, it’s a competition. Especially in fishing, we like to see who catches the bigger fish.

KT: Why did you really start bull riding Huntley?

HJ: In the beginning it was because of Elijah. He was doing it, so I thought I should too. But then I really enjoyed it too. It’s something we both enjoy and that makes it fun.

KT: Do you look to him for help on a lot of things or do you just work on your own?

HJ: It depends on what we are working on and how I am riding. If I know I am doing something wrong and I am not sure what to do to fix it, I will ask him. Most of the time. though I know what I did, and I can fix it myself.

KT: Do you look up to him for other reasons and for advice other than for bull riding?

HJ: He does help me with other things too, like an older brother is supposed to. To me he is a good bull rider, and he can be a good older brother outside of bull riding.

KT: So, Elijah, what are some struggles you might face working with your younger brother?

EJ: Sometimes when we are practicing and he bucks off he tells me “Go get on it then, hot shot.” But most of the time I enjoy helping him. It is fun most of the time to be able to do it, and I think it helps me get better as well.

Elijah Jennings - SEBRA Johnson City, TN

KT: What is one of the biggest challenges working together with bull riding?

EJ: I would say it is hard to work together and help each other out when we are both in a slump. When we both are frustrated and don’t know what to do ourselves, it gets hard to help the other one.

KT: Is there anything you might say to the other one to help them when they get bucked off?

EJ: We just tell each other there is always another bull.

KT: What are some other ways you work together outside of bull riding?

HJ: We play football together and compete against each other.

EJ: We also help dad with his business and any jobs he needs done.

KT: What are some of the latest things you have been doing with bull riding?

EJ: Well, we have been riding almost every weekend all over the U.S. Huntley just got Reserve Champion at the Patriot. He’s been working hard and it’s a lot of fun to get some good wins like that now. I enjoy seeing him successful.

Huntley Jennings - MBR Lockney, TX

KT: And what does your schedule look like now?

EJ: Pretty booked right now. We will have our high school finals in a bit. I’m looking forward to that since I am a freshman this year. This will be my first-time riding in it. I am also riding in the SRA and at SEBRA.

KT: Huntley, what are you looking forward to this year?

HJ: This year I finally get to move up to the junior high rodeos, so that is something that I am excited about.

KT: Well, we certainly want to wish you the best in that. Before we wrap up, let’s do some fun questions starting with who is your favorite pro rider?

EJ: JB Mauney; we only live about two hours from where he grew up.

HJ: I look up to friends like John Crimber and my brother because I think they are going to be the next pro riders.

KT: Favorite Food?

EJ & HJ: Steak.

KT: Favorite movie?

EJ: 8 Seconds.

HJ: Talladega Nights.

KT: Favorite Vacation Spots?

KT: Okay, last question, what is a fun fact about you?

EJ: I can do a backflip.

HJ: I can also do a backflip but on the trampoline.

KT: That is a great ending. Thank you both. We wish you the best of luck in 2023 and hope we can catch up again next year in Las Vegas. For more information about your favorite high school rodeo stars, you can check out the National High School Rodeo Association or the Junior World Finals on Facebook. Be sure to look for a new bull rider in next month’s Rider Rundown.

Katlin Truelsen is a member of the CAC Media Group and specializes in digital and print media. She is currently a high school sophomore and lives with her family on a diversified grain and livestock farm in Eastern Iowa.