Jim Jennings - 2026

Western Photographer

For more than 50 years, he has been the man behind the camera.

With millions of photos and thousands of articles, Jim Jennings has spent his career documenting the history of the western way of life. From world champions to working cowboys, he weaved their tales into entertaining documentaries that retained each individual’s unique and special place in the history. But for Jim, it was not a job. It was a passion. And still is.

Born in the small town of Hearne, Texas, in 1945, Jim moved around a lot as a child while his dad worked in the oil patch. The family didn’t have much, but his father Roy made sure Jim and his sister Sandy had horses to ride. Roy enjoyed roping and passed on the skill to Jim, who roped calves growing up and as a young man.

Jim graduated from Texas A&M University in 1968 and went to work for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raiser’s Association’s publication, The Cattleman. While in Fort Worth, he married Mavis, and soon the couple found their way to Amarillo, Texas, when Jim accepted a job at the American Quarter Horse Journal in 1971.

Jim took his role on the staff of the Journal with extreme pride, wanting to capture the essence of everyone he interviewed. He stored details of owners, bloodlines and particular breeding crosses in his memory for further use down the road. Recalling riders’ names and horses’ accomplishments at the drop of a hat was just part of the job. But as the decades went by, it became evident Jim’s knowledge and his natural story-telling ability were unique.

Originally hired as associate editor, Jim advanced through the ranks of the Journal as editor, then editor-in-chief, and eventually AQHA executive director of publications, overseeing the entire publications department. Just three years into his career at AQHA, Jim was presented a “Wrangler Award,” which is equivalent to an Academy Award for western art, literature and movies, by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. He earned the honor for the Journal article “George Humphreys, A Half Century with the 6666.”

Opportunities to capture the essence of great horses and horsemen led him across the globe and from one end of the country to another, including Pennsylvania Avenue in 1981. There, Jim represented AQHA at President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration, organizing and documenting the American Quarter Horses in Reagan’s horse parade. He authored countless articles on AQHA presidents, superhorses, ranchers, race horses and owners and everyday members.

Jim attended countless National Finals Rodeos, writing stories about PRCA champions and their horses. His connection with top cowboys and cowgirls led to his first book, “Why We Win,” which chronicles the mental side of rodeo and how PRCA world champions Roy Cooper, Walt Woodard, Lynn McKenzie and Don Gay mentally prepared for competition. Jim was also very involved with the Miss Rodeo America organization, serving as president from 1985-1987.

He wrote two books for AQHA. Published in 2006, “Best Remudas” chronicled the first 15 recipients of AQHA’s Best Remuda Award. Stellar photography and stories earned the book multiple honors. Then in 2014, after his retirement from AQHA, he wrote “They Still Ride Good Horses,” detailing the Association’s history from 1990 to 2015.

Under his direction for 37 years, AQHA publications received hundreds of awards for journalism excellence. Jim was honored by his peers in the publishing community with induction into the Livestock Publications Council Hall of Fame and by American Horse Publications with its Champion Award. In 2019, he was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame.

Since his retirement, Jim continues to research and chronicle western history as a writer for the RFD-TV show “Red Steagall is Somewhere West of Wall Street.” His work on the television program has earned five more Wrangler Awards. He also penned two more books, one on the history of Wagonhound Land and Livestock, and the other a biography of Red Steagall.

Jim continues to assist AQHA’s publication’s department as editor emeritus, writing articles and advising the staff. He is also one of the hosts of the podcast “Good Horses.” Each episode features personal conversations with legendary figures of the equine, ranching and rodeo industries about the horses who shaped their lives. He is currently a member of Western Writers of America, and he is on the executive committee of the National Ranching Heritage Association.

Family is very important to Jim and his wife Mavis, and they made sure that their daughter Jill learned to appreciate horses and the western way of life. Jill and her husband Doug live on the family’s ranch near Archer City, Texas, where Doug manages the family ranching partnership. Jim’s grandchildren, Ashton, Sidney and Blake, all grew up horseback and all have careers in agriculture, and now, Blake’s wife Kylie has joined the family. In Jim’s spare time, he can often be found at the ranch, team roping with the family.

From roping calves himself in the 1950s and 1960s to watching his grandkids flourish with their horses, Jim’s passion for capturing the history of great horses, great horsemen and the western way of life has no signs of slowing down. He continues to research and write almost on a daily basis. And he would be happy to sit down and share a story or two from his almost 60-year career.