Bella Hadid celebrates Rookie of the Year win in cutting competition amid Yellowstone cameo with Adan Banuelos

Bella Hadid celebrated her victory after she was crowned as the National Cutting Horse Association's (NCHA) 2024 Limited Age Event (LAE) Rookie of the Year.

The model, 28, shared a number photos and videos to her Instagram on Wednesday, after she earned the honor just a year into starting to compete in the western-style equestrian sport.

The runway sensation — who recently made a surprise cameo in the Western drama Yellowstone — also thanked her boyfriend Adan Banuelos, 35, as well as his family for 'making me feel so loved, protected, and encouraged.'

The Vogue-cover-girl-turned-cowgirl went on to share another post with a video that showed her progress, and a second lengthy caption where she praised her cowboy lover.

'Adan always had faith in me, from the first day we rode together, which gave me confidence and faith in myself again.'

'I couldn’t have done it without him! With hard work, kindness, and passion, anything can happen,' she added. 

'Thank you for supporting me in my dreams this year and never treating me any different. You, your heart, your talent, your family, and your team went above and beyond for us to get this done and I appreciate it more than any of you know!! Love you all so much it hurts!'

She added, 'The first video is the first time I ever rode a cutting horse (CHAPO) w Adan a year and 8 months ago, to my first time showing 8 months ago, to the day we officially got the buckle. :)'

Bella also gushed that 'being able to try new things and reach new goals, especially on horses again, has been the biggest joy of my life.'

'I thank God everyday for horses — for teaching and showing me unconditional love, happiness, connection, patience and hard work. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.' 

In her first caption she wrote: 'So unbelievable! Rookie! I really just loved coming to shows to support my man, step dad, friends and community; I felt lucky with just that alone!'

'I started showing quickly after I started practicing, and then 6 months into the show year we found out I was in the running for Rookie of the Year, so @ab_performancehorses [Adan] and I decided to send it for the last 6 months and see if we could do it!'

'I was sitting 2nd until the last show, where I took home my Reserve Champion spot at the Futurity, and we were able to secure to rookie spot to my fierce competitor Kevin Smith!!'

'Tens of shows, $84,748.87 in final earnings! Lots of losses, lots of good days, lots of great days, little sleep, and lots of fun.'

'The most humbling sport in the world, guys, let me tell you! I’m very competitive, but Adan has taught me many things, but a big one was to still have gratitude for the losses as they make the wins that much better….!'

'And I get to remember throughout it all, we are still blessed regardless of winning or losing, because we get to do it with the greatest animal in our hearts! Regardless of anything, I am blessed just getting to ride and be around horses every day again!'

'I am so grateful for my incredible horses, God,' Bella wrote, before thanking her team as well as the 'amazing cowboys and cowgirls that have become family and helped me so much along the way.'

The star added of her boyfriend's family, 'and most of all the Banuelos family for making me feel so loved, protected, and encouraged.'

'I feel so blessed to have you all in my life. To watch you all work, ride, compete, honor and care for each other is something that will inspire me from now&and for the rest of my life! Forever counting my blessings. Thank you for everything family, I love you.'

Her first photo showed her proudly posing with her silver buckle, and rocking a fashionable rodeo outfit, featuring a black cowboy hat and a fringe jacket.

Bella then shared a clip of her posing with the award next to her boyfriend and her mom, former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid.

The clip also saw Bella on her horse, and sharing sweet moments with Adan as he rode beside her.

Another photo showed her with a big smile as she celebrated with Yolanda and her construction CEO fiancé, Joseph Jingoli.

There was also a sweet snap of Bella hugging her boyfriend as he sat atop his horse.

Another snap showed the model beaming in a brown silk blouse and jeans as she showed off her award.

Yet another image featured Bella in the stands with an adorable dog in her lap and a trendy leopard print and lime green Chrome Hearts bag next to her. 

The day prior Banuelos, who is a cutting champion and celebrated horseman himself, shared how 'proud' he was as he dedicated an Instagram post to Hadid and showed off her skill. 

Hadid was named Rookie of the Year after becoming the NCHA Metallic Cat World Championship Futurity Limited Amateur Reserve Champion on Metallic Hardball (Metallic Cat x Cinca De Maya) the prior Tuesday.

Back in April, Hadid announced she would be taking a step back from modeling after moving to Texas with her 'partner.'

Hadid was first romantically linked with Banuelos — who is an accomplished cowboy and was voted into the NCHA Riders Hall of Fame at age 28, the youngest ever to be inducted — when they were spotted packing on the PDA in Fort Worth in October 2023.

At the beginning of this year, she soft launched her boyfriend on her Instagram when she shared photos of them holding hands at a competition.

The following month, she hard launched their relationship by dedicating a Valentine's Day post to him.

She has also purchased property and moved to Fort Worth, Texas to be with him.

Meanwhile on Wednesday Bella also took to her Stories to share a behind-the-scenes snaps from her recent Yellowstone cameo.

Yellowstone fans were shocked when Bella and Adan appeared in Sunday's penultimate episode.

The new episode found Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) travelling to Texas to oversee Travis Wheatley (Taylor Sheridan) selling the ranch's horses, following last week's episode that featured another shocking death.

Fans were quite surprised when Beth knocked on Travis' door and found it being answered by his girlfriend Sadie, played by Hadid, who is aside from being a supermodel is also an accomplished equestrian.

Banuelos was also seen in a brief scene involving Travis playing strip poker.