Alejandro Banuelos has spent his entire life around cutting horses. Long before he was born, his family was training and showing some of the industry’s finest horses. While horses had always been a part of his life, it was a little over five years ago that Alejandro became fully committed to developing his horsemanship.

That journey began with a calling from God, one that not only deepened his faith but also brought him closer to his family and heritage. Alejandro spent nearly two years with his cousin, Adan Banuelos, at Banuelos Performance Horses, learning under one of the most respected horsemen in the business. There, he built the foundation that would shape his future.

From there, Alejandro continued his education at R.L. Chartier Cutting Horses, where he expanded on that foundation. His next stop took him to Las Vegas, where he worked alongside his uncle, Cookie Banuelos. It was there that he gained valuable experience starting young horses, refining his show skills, and broadening his understanding of the craft.

Alejandro then went on to work under Chuy Chavez of Chavez Performance Horses to further expand his horsemanship. While his passion and focus have always been cutting horses, working alongside a respected cowhorse trainer gave him the opportunity to broaden his perspective and continue learning from a different discipline.

Under Chuy’s guidance, Alejandro gained a deeper understanding of the cowhorse and reining worlds, developing a greater appreciation for balance, body control, softness, and feel. He studied the finer details of helping horses move freely and naturally through their bodies, adding valuable tools and techniques that have made him a more versatile horseman. Those experiences continue to shape the way he starts, trains, and develops cutting horses today.

Today, Alejandro and his wife, Lizzie, have launched their own program in Lipan, Texas: Alejandro Banuelos Performance Horses.

As they stepped into this new chapter, Alejandro and Lizzie had been praying for an opportunity to use horses, their experiences, and their hearts for service to make a difference in the lives of others.

Then one day, they received a Facebook message from Barnside Brotherhood founder Jason.

Barnside Brotherhood is a young organization that was built from a patch of overgrown pasture and dirt into a safe haven for veterans and first responders. Through horsemanship, participants find purpose, connection, and healing. Just a few months ago, there were no sponsors, no social media presence, and very few people knew about the life-changing work taking place on that small piece of ground. But driven by a commitment to the mission, Jason began reaching out and looking for partners who shared the vision.

When Alejandro and Lizzie read that message, they knew God had answered their prayers.

When asked if he had anything else he would like to share, Alejandro said:

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to be involved in a program like this. We look forward to what God holds for this relationship, and we feel like not only did God answer our prayers, but we gained family.”

One of the horses currently in Alejandro’s program is Josie, a two-year-old mare who was bred, born, raised, and started under saddle with the assistance of veterans at Barnside Brotherhood and Sedotal Land & Livestock.

Alejandro shared his thoughts on Josie:

“Josie has been a great mare to have in the barn. She comes from more old-school breeding, which has taught me a lot along the way. She’s very willing, an incredible mover, and has the ability to be a true all-around horse. She has such a beautiful build, smooth gaits, and learns quickly.”

We cannot thank Alejandro and Lizzie enough for their commitment to our mission and the people we serve.

As for gaining family, that’s exactly what Brotherhood is all about.

The veterans and first responders who walk through our gates need connection, support, and community. They need a brotherhood.

So once again, welcome to the family, Alejandro Banuelos Performance Horses. We are grateful to have you standing beside us as we continue serving those who have sacrificed so much.