Yellowstone pays tribute to Bob Avila in Season 5’s finale episode

The Yellowstone The Season 5 finale ended with an emotional tribute to Bob Avila, who played a key role in the history of this hit series.

Who is Bob Avila? Yellowstone Season 5’s Tribute Explained

At the beginning of season 5, episode 14 of Yellowstone (the final episode of the series) viewers saw a tribute to the late Bob Avila. The message at the start of the episode read as follows:

“This episode is dedicated to Bob Avila. See you down the dusty trail, Amigo.”

Avila died on November 9 at the age of 72. A legendary horseman, he even held a place in the National Reining Horse Association’s Hall of Fame and won the title of World’s Greatest Horseman twice.

Regarding his connection to Yellowstonehe made a guest appearance as himself in season 3, episode 8 (titled “I Killed a Man Today”). That episode featured him alongside Kevin Costner’s John Dutton shopping for horses and lending his expertise with the animals.

Avila’s full list of achievements can be seen on his personal websiteare listed below:

• American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame
• NRCHA Hall Of Fame
• NRCHA Million Dollar Rider
• NRCHA Futurity Champion
• 3 Time NRCHA Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion
• NRHA Open Futurity Champion
• Multiple AQHA World Championships
• Multiple AQHA World Reserve titles
• The world’s greatest rider – 2000 and 2007
• AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year

Previous Professional Bull Riders Editor-in-Chief Kendra Santos paid tribute to Avila by honoring his accomplishments and accolades while also touching on the family he leaves behind in a Instagram post:

“Our cowboy community suddenly and unexpectedly lost legendary horseman Bob Avila yesterday, November 9, at the age of 72. Bob was an American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Famer, National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Famer, three-time NRCHA Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion, reining NRHA – National Reining Horse Association Open Futurity Champion, many times AQHA World Champion, two times World’s Greatest Horseman and two times AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year.

Bob created and rode countless great horses and trained countless aspiring riders and riders in his iconic life and career. He is survived by his wife, Dana; son, BJ; and a million cowboy friends, rodeo cowboys and cowgirls included. There is no telling how many great rodeo horses passed through Bob’s masterful hands in their younger years.

Love to all dealing with this devastating sudden loss of a cowboy legend.”

As detailed by Sports IllustratedHailing from Redwood City, California, Avila was born into a family of rodeo enthusiasts. Earning well over $1 million during his time with the National Reining Horse Association and the National Reined Cow Horse Association, he dedicated his later life to passing on that tradition.

ONE Facebook entries from the Arizona Quarter Horse Association praised his versatility and his ability with horses along with his ability to “mentors, educates and coaches riders” of all experience levels. He was loved by all in the community and left his mark on this group and so many others.

Horses & Riders tribute to Avila explained in detail how profound his influence was on all who worked with him, whether in training horses or in shots for his Winning insight magazine. His commitment to excellence, caring for animals, business acumen and willingness to share knowledge were all highlighted.

The obituary later described him as “the epitome of the saying, ‘how you do one thing is how you do everything’.”

The Direct sends our condolences and best wishes to Avila, his family and all Yellowstone society in this difficult time.