Cutting champion and celebrated horseman Adan Banuelos is the subject of a new Teton Ridge Window To The West documentary.
C&I: You are one of the youngest inductees to the NCHA Hall of Fame — to what do you credit your early success in the sport, and where do you feel like you want to go from an already legendary run?
Adan Banuelos: I don’t feel legendary by any means. I do feel extremely blessed and competitive, but as I think most great competitors feel, our greatest competition is ourselves. We are not trying to beat somebody else; we are just trying to push our own limits and exceed them. Looking forward to the future, I would like to have more balance in my life, so that I can spend more time with the people I love and help people understand how to better communicate with horses. I would like for more people to feel the connection to these great animals and see the Western heritage and the sport of cutting grow as much as possible.
C&I: What’s your day-to-day life like lately when you aren’t on the road?
Adan: Other than Christmas, we only take about 10-12 days throughout the year, so there is very little downtime. Fortunately, I love what I do and my favorite people love it and participate with me. My family, my team, and now my girlfriend, who has always been passionate about horses, have also become dedicated to and excited about this sport.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Teton Ridge
C&I: How did you feel about being profiled for the Teton Ridge film series, Window To The West?
Adan: In the beginning, I wasn’t exactly excited about the prospect of being filmed. But when the crew came to the ranch and I got to know them and hang out with them, I was so happy that I didn’t talk myself out of doing this documentary. I am so blessed that they saw something in me and my horses and our journey that is worthy of their time.
C&I: How has your own family’s culture and upbringing helped to ground and guide you in horsemanship throughout your life?
Adan: I would not have had the passion, perseverance, or work ethic if it had not been for being brought up in an atmosphere and culture of what is ultimately what is best for the horse. My parents, my uncles, and many other people along the way have instilled in me an appreciation and compassion for the horse and the competition that I am so thankful to have.
C&I: On a perfect day at your house, what music is playing? What food is being prepared? What’s on TV? And who are you having over?
Adan: My family and my team are my best friends, so the food is going to be Mexican with some steak. My dad is going to be at the grill, acting like he’s the master chef, when everyone else is doing all of the work in the kitchen. If the TV is on, no one will be watching it, because as a group of people, they are very entertaining. As far as the music goes, I like a wide variety, from Jimmy Hendrix to Vicente Fernandez — anything with some soul.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Teton Ridge
C&I: Have you upped your Western style game much in the last few years? What are some of your favorite items of clothing or accessories that go everywhere with you?
Adan: My Western style game has been the same since I was about 12 years old. Starched jeans, cowboy boots, cowboy hat. My shirts have changed a little lately though, because I have found the new fishing shirts with the button-down collars, that keep me cooler and still look cowboy. I have one accessory that is with me almost always and that’s the Mont Blanc Pen. I collect them and usually have one in my shirt pocket.
C&I: Big holiday plans?
Adan: Every year we have been lucky enough to spend Christmas and New Year’s with my sister Jessica and brother-in-law Steven in Aspen. They have been amazing hosts going above and beyond, but this year, I am hoping to kidnap my woman and maybe have a quieter, private getaway.
ILLUSTRATION: Raul Arias
Learn more about Adan Banuelos and the Window To The West documentary.
From our October 2024 issue.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Teton Ridge