09/20/2026
Still one of my all time favorite riders!
š Rodney Jenkins: Idle Dice, The Natural and a Lifetime of Show Jumping Success
Few names carry as much weight in American show jumping history as Rodney Jenkins. Known as the āRed Riderā thanks to his distinctive red hair, Jenkins built a remarkable career defined by instinctive horsemanship, consistency and an extraordinary ability to bring out the best in very different horses. š
Born in Middleburg, Virginia, in 1944, Jenkins grew up immersed in horses. His father was a professional huntsman, and Rodney began showing professionally as a teenager. Rather than following a heavily structured training system, he developed much of his skill through experienceāriding horse after horse and learning to adapt to each individual. By the time he retired from the show ring in 1989, he had accumulated more than 70 Grand Prix victories.
š² Idle Dice: The Partnership That Became Legendary
No horse is more closely associated with Jenkins than Idle Dice, affectionately known as āIke.ā A Thoroughbred who had shown little promise on the racetrack, Idle Dice found his true calling over fences.
Together, Jenkins and Idle Dice became one of the defining partnerships of American jumping. Idle Dice collected 31 Grand Prix victories, including three consecutive American Gold Cups from 1973 through 1975, the American Invitational and two Presidentās Cups. He also represented the United States internationally and competed with Jenkins at the 1974 World Championships at Hickstead. ššŗšø
Jenkins later described Idle Dice as the finest horse he had shown, praising his bravery, scope and extraordinary carefulness. Idle Diceās legacy was formally recognised in 1987 when he became the first horse inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. Jenkins followed with his own induction in 1999.
āØ The Natural: Another Star Arrives
Idle Dice may have been Jenkinsā most famous partner, but he was far from his only exceptional mount.
In 1985, Jenkins enjoyed a spectacular season with the Hanoverian gelding The Natural. The pair won five Grand Prix events, including the prestigious American Gold Cup at Devon. š„
The Natural was subsequently sold for a reported $1 million, an extraordinary figure for a show jumper at the time. His story continued with Katharine Burdsall, with whom he later helped the United States win team gold at the 1986 World Championships and won the 1987 FEI World Cup Final.
š“ A Lifetime Built Around Horses
Jenkinsā achievements extended far beyond two celebrated horses. He rode stars including Number One Spy, Playback, Czar, Gustavus, Coastline and Third Man, represented the United States on numerous Nations Cup teams, and won individual and team silver medals at the 1987 Pan American Games aboard Czar.
After leaving show jumping, Jenkins successfully reinvented himself as a Thoroughbred racehorse trainer, ensuring horses remained at the centre of his life. He died in December 2024 at the age of 80.
ā¤ļø Yet perhaps Jenkinsā greatest legacy was his philosophy of horsemanship. He consistently placed the horse at the centre of successāa fitting outlook for a rider whose career was shaped by unforgettable equine partners.
From the mighty Idle Dice to the spectacular Natural, Rodney Jenkins didnāt simply collect trophies. He created partnerships that became part of show jumping history. šāØ
