[1] He graduated from high school in 1961 and began riding professionally in horse shows up and down the East Coast, including Florida winter circuit.
Though he defined himself as largely self-taught, he came from an equestrian family, his father, Enis Jenkins, had been a huntsman for several fox hunting groups in Virginia.
[3] Even while showing, Jenkins did a little bit of racehorse training and continued to assist his father as a whipper-in on hunts.
"[2] Jenkins' professional status prevented him from riding in the Pan American or Olympic Games until rule changes in the 1980s ended the requirement that riders had to be amateurs.
As the main option available to retired riders on the show circuit was to teach others, which was not a job he felt he was suited for, he quietly turned to training race horses.
At first he trained steeplechasers but turned to flat racing, working primarily out of Laurel Park in Maryland.
[3][4] He credited his show career with giving him knowledge of equine nutrition and a background to promote soundness and good health in his horses.
[1][9] In January 2025, the "Red Rider" was honored by the Maryland racing community with the traditional memorial service at Laurel Park.