Work: Cutting Horse Trainer, Horseman
Inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Riders Hall of Fame in 2017 as one of the youngest inductees ever.
Education: My parents, Ascencion and Tiffani Banuelos, and my late Uncle Carlos Banuelos taught me the importance of family, hard work and how to be a horseman. The late Wes Adams of Western States Ranches; Kent Shiozawa, father of World Champion Calf Roper Matt Shiozawa; and Tim Drummond of the Drummond Ranch have all steered me towards being a better and stronger man.
Family: A large mixed-culture Mexican-American family. Not married.
Pets: Rambo, a 105-pound German shepherd; and Dougie, a 65-pound mixed-breed rescue dog; and a lot of horses
Hobbies: I love to rope, watch movies, play pool and occasionally golf.
Causes: Giving back to your community and helping your fellow man/neighbor
Motto: If your dreams don't scare you, then they are not big enough.
Favorite Quote: I have two favorites.
“It has nothing to do with talent and everything to do with effort! Wins and losses come a dime a dozen, but effort? Nobody can judge that, because effort is between you and you.” Ray Lewis
“If you say you can or you can't, you are right either way.” Henry Ford
Favorite Movie: The
Godfather
Favorite Book: A short one
Favorite Music Genre: Classic Rock
Favorite Art Style: Western
Favorite Vacation Spot: Playa Del Carmen
Greatest Moment in Your Life: Today
What do you think about your generation? My generation has the greatest ability and lives in a time when anything is possible but is so afraid to fail that they don't even try, and they are also afraid of looking like losers. Every successful person, whether in business, sports or social issues, failed at some point before they succeeded. My generation has the most opportunity to make the biggest differences in the world, and they choose to be self-absorbed and believe less in a higher power and take the easy way instead of the right way.
Strongest Character Trait: Positivity and patience, horse sense, which have come from a lifetime of working with family, and I really enjoy motivating other people.
Important Life Lessons Learned: How to handle losing like a winner and to do what you love. If you love your job, you never really feel like you are working.
