“High Horse: The Black Cowboy” is a three-episode documentary that premiered on Thursday, November 20, 2025, exclusively on Peacock.

From executive producer Jordan Peele and Monkeypaw Productions, the pop culture and historical documentary confronts and reclaims the Wild West while revealing the story of the Black cowboy, a history that has largely been untold. It rides into the forgotten corners of history, shattering myths and celebrating the Black cowboys, farmers, jockeys, musicians, and rodeo champions who built the West, and now takes back their place in the saddle, sitting high atop the horse.

“I’m grateful to Monkeypaw for amplifying the powerful voices and long-standing culture of Black cowboys and cowgirls through High Horse: The Black Cowboy on Peacock,” Peele said. “Their history is inseparable from the story of our country, and this project aims to honor and celebrate their lasting legacy.”

The Ratcliff family, of Freestone County, is featured in this documentary and “The Times” had a chance to interview Kimberly Ratcliff regarding their history and part in this series.

“The story revolves around my dad, Wesley Ratcliff, who bought his first ranch in 1975, in Lovelock, Texas” she said. “Both he and I worked in the corporate world for a while before returning to agriculture. In 2002, he expanded his operation by purchasing a ranch in Oakwood, Texas. I was working in New York at the time but decided to move back to Texas to ensure the ranch stayed in the family.”

In June 2023, Kimberly was approached by Jordan Peele’s team to participate in a documentary originally called The Black Frontier.
The project was filmed in June 2023 at the ranch in Oakwood.

“It was a great experience,” Kimberly explained. “The family has had the opportunity to work on previous projects, but this one was different as it focused on the history of our community and black ranchers and cowboys.”

She wants the public to watch the show with open eyes and hearts. Many of the stories told in this project will be new to viewers. She encourages them to watch and share with family and friends.

“It was an honor to work on a project that showcased the history of my culture,” Kimberly stated. “This project is bigger than me; it is about the untold story of my culture.”

The Ratcliff family held a viewing party and dinner last Friday evening, November 21, and invited the community to attend.

“The viewing was organized by my family to show the documentary and provide the community a space to discuss their feelings about it, as it tells the story of many black ranchers in our community,” she explained.

Kimberly said that it is an honor to be part of such a rich community history. “Although we were not raised in Oakwood/Freestone County, we feel like we have lived here all our lives.

To learn more about the Ratcliff family, visit their website https://www.ratcliffpremiummeats.com or visit them on their Facebook page.