Quick answer: Adan Banuelos is a 36-year-old Mexican-American professional equestrian and cutting horse trainer from Texas. An NCHA Riders Hall of Fame inductee and four-time leading open rider, Banuelos has amassed over $5 million in career earnings on horseback. He is widely known in celebrity circles as the boyfriend—and riding coach—of supermodel Bella Hadid.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Adan Banuelos |
| Date of Birth | April 8, 1989 |
| Age | 36 |
| Birthplace | Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American (Mexican-American) |
| Occupation | Professional equestrian, cutting horse trainer |
| Known For | NCHA Riders Hall of Fame, Bella Hadid’s boyfriend and riding coach |
| Relationship Status | On-again, off-again with Bella Hadid (reportedly reconciled as of April 2026) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Current Status | Active competitor and horse trainer |
Who Is Adan Banuelos?
There are cowboys, and then there is Adan Banuelos. At just 36 years old, this Texas-born equestrian has already built a career that most riders only dream about—a place in the NCHA Riders Hall of Fame, over $5 million in career earnings, and a nickname that says it all: “the $8 Million Cowboy.” Oh, and somewhere along the way, he became the man who caught Bella Hadid’s heart.
Banuelos represents a rare combination of natural talent, deep-rooted heritage, and relentless competitive drive. He came up in a world where horsemanship wasn’t just a sport—it was a family language. And from an early age, it was abundantly clear that Adan wasn’t just going to participate in that world. He was going to dominate it.
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Source: Getty Images / Ethan Miller (Event Photo)
Whether you follow cutting horse competitions, celebrity news, or both, Adan Banuelos has made himself impossible to ignore. Here is everything you need to know about the man behind the legend.
Born Into the Saddle: His Family Background
Adan Banuelos was born on April 8, 1989, and raised in Texas, growing up immersed in the culture of cutting horse competition from day one. His father, Ascencion Banuelos, is a giant in the equestrian world—the first Mexican-American ever inducted into the NCHA (National Cutting Horse Association) Hall of Fame. That kind of legacy doesn’t just inspire a child; it shapes them entirely.
Growing up with a father who made history in a sport defined by precision, patience, and partnership between horse and rider gave Adan an extraordinary foundation. He didn’t stumble into competitive riding—he was born into it. The barn was his classroom, and the cutting pen was where he learned everything that truly mattered.
That upbringing forged a work ethic and a standard of excellence that would go on to define Adan Banuelos’s entire career. It also placed him in the unique position of carrying forward a family legacy while simultaneously creating his own.
A Champion’s Record: Career Highlights and NCHA Achievements
To understand just how dominant Adan Banuelos has become in cutting horse competition, consider this: he was inducted into the NCHA Riders Hall of Fame in 2017—at just 28 years old. That kind of recognition, at that age, signals something exceptional.
From there, the accolades only multiplied. Banuelos was named the #1 NCHA leading open rider in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022, cementing his status as the sport’s most consistent elite performer across nearly half a decade. He has amassed over $5 million in career earnings on horseback, a figure that underscores not just talent but longevity and relentless competitive focus.
In 2023 and 2024, Banuelos claimed back-to-back American Performance Horseman championships—a feat that brought him a $100,000 prize purse in 2024 alone. These wins weren’t flukes. They were the product of a rider who trains more than 100 horses per month and brings that same intensity to every single competition.
Beyond the arena, Banuelos has extended his reach into mainstream culture in fascinating ways. In September 2024, he starred in Teton Ridge’s short film “Window to the West: Horse Sense,” offering audiences a rare glimpse into the discipline and artistry behind elite cutting horse training. Then, in December 2024, he made a cameo appearance on Paramount+’s Yellowstone—a nod to a cultural moment that felt almost tailor-made for a cowboy of his caliber.
His dual role as competitor and trainer speaks to a broader philosophy: mastery isn’t static. Banuelos doesn’t just ride; he teaches, he mentors, and he constantly pushes the boundaries of what’s possible between a rider and a horse.
Adan Banuelos and Bella Hadid: How Did They Meet?
The story of how Adan Banuelos and Bella Hadid found each other is the kind that sounds almost scripted—except it isn’t.
Bella Hadid, one of the world’s most recognizable supermodels, had been navigating a very public personal journey. After stepping back from the modeling industry to prioritize her health, she found herself drawn to a quieter, more grounded way of living. Horses became a central part of that healing process—and Adan Banuelos became her guide into that world, first as a riding coach, then as something far more significant.
In a May 2025 British Vogue cover interview, Hadid described the moment she first laid eyes on him with striking clarity: “I saw him walk in and it was like a gust of fresh air.” It’s a quote that tells you everything about the pull of this relationship—unexpected, immediate, and completely disarming.
For Banuelos, the relationship brought him into a global spotlight he hadn’t previously occupied. He spoke about their connection on the “Along For the Ride” podcast in August 2024, offering a candid look at how two people from vastly different worlds found common ground in something as ancient and honest as horsemanship.
Adan Banuelos and Bella Hadid Relationship Timeline
October 2023 — Adan Banuelos and Bella Hadid are first photographed together in Fort Worth, Texas. The images spark immediate speculation, though neither confirms anything publicly at this stage.
Valentine’s Day 2024 — The relationship becomes Instagram-official. Hadid shares a post that removes all doubt, and the internet responds with the kind of collective enthusiasm reserved for truly unexpected celebrity pairings.
March 2024 — Hadid purchases property in the Fort Worth area, widely reported as a move to be closer to Banuelos. The decision signals a level of commitment that goes well beyond casual dating—she is, quite literally, relocating her life.
August 2024 — Banuelos discusses the relationship publicly for the first time on the “Along For the Ride” podcast, offering a thoughtful and grounded perspective on navigating romance under a very bright spotlight.
September 2024 — Banuelos stars in the Teton Ridge short film “Window to the West: Horse Sense,” which premieres to strong reception. Hadid is a visible and supportive presence throughout this period.
December 2024 — Banuelos makes his Yellowstone cameo, further expanding his cultural footprint beyond the equestrian world.
January 26, 2026 — Entertainment Tonight reports a breakup between Banuelos and Hadid. The split is confirmed by a source to PEOPLE, sending celebrity media into a frenzy.
Early February 2026 — Just weeks after the breakup reports, Us Weekly reports signs of a reconciliation between the pair, suggesting the split may not have been as definitive as initially reported.
April 2026 — Banuelos and Hadid are photographed together at Taylor Sheridan’s ranch. A source tells TMZ that there was never a full split—framing the January headlines as an overstatement of what was, in reality, a temporary rough patch.
Where Do Adan Banuelos and Bella Hadid Stand Now?
Based on the most recent reporting, Adan Banuelos and Bella Hadid appear to be very much together. The April 2026 sighting at Taylor Sheridan’s ranch—and the subsequent TMZ source claiming there was never a true breakup—paints a picture of two people who are, whatever the headlines might suggest, still very much in each other’s orbit.
What makes this relationship so compelling to follow is how genuinely different their worlds are—and yet how naturally they seem to have merged. Hadid has spoken openly about how horses and riding have transformed her approach to wellness and grounding. Banuelos, for his part, brings a quiet, focused energy that feels like a counterbalance to the noise of the fashion world.
Whether this is a love story built to last or simply a fascinating chapter in both their lives, one thing is clear: Adan Banuelos is far more than a footnote in Bella Hadid’s story. He is a champion in his own right—and that championship record was hard-won long before any supermodel ever walked through the barn door.
What’s Next for Adan Banuelos?
With four #1 NCHA rankings, back-to-back American Performance Horseman titles, a film debut, a Yellowstone cameo, and one of the most talked-about celebrity relationships of recent years, Adan Banuelos shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. He continues to train over 100 horses monthly, compete at the highest levels of his sport, and build a cultural profile that extends well beyond the cutting pen.
Keep your eyes on this cowboy—because the Adan Banuelos story is still very much being written.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adan Banuelos
How old is Adan Banuelos?
Adan Banuelos was born on April 8, 1989, making him 36 years old as of 2025.
What is Adan Banuelos known for in the equestrian world?
Adan Banuelos is one of the most decorated cutting horse competitors in the history of the sport. He was inducted into the NCHA Riders Hall of Fame in 2017 at age 28, has been named the #1 NCHA leading open rider four times (2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022), and has earned over $5 million in career earnings on horseback. He is also widely known as “the $8 Million Cowboy” in equestrian circles.
Is Adan Banuelos Bella Hadid’s boyfriend?
Yes. Adan Banuelos and Bella Hadid were first photographed together in Fort Worth, Texas in October 2023, and made their relationship Instagram-official on Valentine’s Day 2024. Though a breakup was reported by Entertainment Tonight on January 26, 2026, subsequent reporting from Us Weekly and TMZ suggested the split was short-lived. The couple was photographed together at Taylor Sheridan’s ranch in April 2026.
Did Adan Banuelos and Bella Hadid break up?
A breakup was reported on January 26, 2026, and confirmed by a source to PEOPLE. However, Us Weekly reported signs of reconciliation in early February 2026, and a source told TMZ in April 2026—when the couple was photographed together at Taylor Sheridan’s ranch—that there had never been a full split.
What is Adan Banuelos’s net worth?
Adan Banuelos’s net worth has not been publicly confirmed by any verified source. He has, however, earned over $5 million in career prize money from cutting horse competitions, including a $100,000 prize for winning the 2024 American Performance Horseman championship.
Who is Adan Banuelos’s father?
Adan Banuelos’s father is Ascencion Banuelos, a legendary figure in equestrian sport and the first Mexican-American to be inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame. Adan’s deep roots in cutting horse competition are directly connected to growing up in the Banuelos family tradition.
Emma Clarke is a content writer at Gaukurinn.is, specializing in celebrity news, pop culture, movies, and music. With a strong focus on accuracy and trending topics, she creates engaging and well-researched articles that keep readers informed and entertained.
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