If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen the videos. A girl in a cowboy hat, leaning low over a powerful horse, dancing back and forth with a confused-looking cow. It’s Bella Hadid, but she’s not on a runway in Milan. She’s in Weatherford, Texas.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild to watch.
Most people think this is just a "rich girl hobby" or some weird PR stunt to pivot her brand. You've probably heard the whispers: "Is she actually good, or is she just dating a cowboy?" But if you look at the stats from the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), the reality is way more intense than just a fashion icon playing dress-up.
The Pivot from Runways to Ranch Life
Bella didn't just wake up one day and decide to be a cowgirl. She grew up on a ranch. She was actually a high-level equestrian long before she was "Model of the Year." In fact, she had legitimate Olympic ambitions for show jumping.
Then, Lyme disease happened.
It basically ended her English riding career in 2016. Show jumping is brutal on the body. You need insane stamina. For years, she couldn't ride at the level she wanted. But in 2023, after a massive, 100-day intensive treatment for her chronic illness, she felt "finally healthy."
Instead of going back to the jumps, she went West.
🔗 Read more: Pablo Lyle Net Worth: What Really Happened to His Finances
What Really Happened with Bella Hadid’s Cutting Horse Debut?
Cutting is a specialized Western sport. Basically, you and your horse have to "cut" a single cow out of a herd and keep it from getting back. The catch? You have to do it with "loose reins." Once the horse is on the cow, the rider basically lets go. The horse does the thinking.
It’s an athlete-to-athlete connection that is hard to fake.
In early 2024, Bella started popping up at competitions like the Bosque Ranch events, which is owned by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan. She wasn't just there to watch. Riding a bay roan stallion named Metallic Tito, she actually placed eighth in the Limited Amateur category. For a rookie? That's actually pretty solid.
The Win That Proved the Critics Wrong
If you think she's just a participant, check October 2024. At the Southern Cutting Horse Futurity, Bella rode a horse named Imma Be Smooth and won her first-ever champion buckle.
She scored a 217.
In the cutting world, a 217 is a serious score. It earned her a payout of about $2,035. More importantly, it earned her respect. You don't get a 217 by being a "celebrity guest." You get it by having "cow sense" and staying glued to the saddle while a thousand-pound animal tries to juke you out.
📖 Related: Who is Paige Spiranac Dating? Why the Golf Icon Keeps Her Circle Small in 2026
Is it the Boyfriend? (The Adan Banuelos Factor)
Look, we have to talk about Adan Banuelos. He's her boyfriend, and yeah, he’s one of the best in the business. He’s an NCHA Hall of Famer. Some people say, "Of course she's winning, she's dating the coach."
But here’s the thing about horses: They don't know who your boyfriend is.
Adan can give her the best horse in the world—and he has, including stars like Metallic Hardball—but once she "drops her hands" in the arena, she’s on her own. The NCHA actually named her the 2024 Limited Age Event (LAE) Rookie of the Year. That’s a massive deal. It’s based on earnings and performance over a full season.
She ended the 2024 season with lifetime earnings of over $23,000. That’s not a hobby. That’s a career.
Why This Matters for the Sport
Cutting is a niche world. It’s expensive, it’s hard, and it’s deeply traditional. Having one of the most famous women in the world move to Fort Worth, Texas, buy a house, and live in a trailer for a while to train? It’s bringing eyes to the sport that have never looked at a cow in their life.
But she’s doing it with a lot of humility. She isn't trying to "high fashion" the rodeo. She’s wearing the grit. She’s sweating. She’s cheering for other riders from the fence.
What You Can Learn from Bella’s Transition
If you’re looking at what Bella Hadid is doing and feeling inspired to get into the Western world, here are some actionable steps to take:
- Find a local "cutter": Don't just go to a trail riding barn. Cutting requires specific "cow horses" (usually Quarter Horses) with specific breeding.
- Watch the NCHA YouTubes: Before you spend a dime, watch how the pros move. It’s all about the "stop and turn."
- Focus on Core Strength: Cutting is all about your seat. If you have a weak core, you will fall off when the horse "bottoms out" to catch a cow.
- Respect the Animal: As Bella says, it’s about the bond. The horse is doing 90% of the work.
Bella Hadid’s cutting horse journey isn't a phase. It's a comeback. She traded the "invisible suffering" of her illness for the very visible, very dusty reality of the Texas cutting pen. And honestly? She looks more at home there than she ever did on a catwalk.
Keep an eye on the 2025 and 2026 standings. She’s not done winning buckles yet.