Since winning his first championship on a calf at the age of eight, L.J. has been undaunted by the competition. LJ: "I grew up near PBR bull riders Matt Bohon and Luke Snyder. I looked up to them, but they didn´t pay attention to me. My brother was their age and they just thought of me as the ‘younger brother.’ However, it didn´t take long for fellow bull riders to take notice of this New Mexico cowboy when he burst on the PBR scene on the day he turned 18. LJ: “I bought my permit on my birthday and won first place at the PBR event in Gillette [Wyo.] that night. It was sweet ´cause all of the top guys were there. It helped boost my confidence." Since then the high school senior has done nothing but show his winning style. In 2006, LJ etched his name in the PBR record books by ending the season as the 2006 Built Ford Tough World Finals Event Champion. Jenkins covered three tough bulls - Red One, Sir Patrick and Black Smoke - for 90+ rides and brought home a $288,567 paycheck from Vegas. As a result, the New Mexico native was honored by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson who announced Nov. 22, 2006 as “L.J. Jenkins Day” throughout the state.