The Yellowstone Season 5 finale concluded with an emotional tribute to Bob Avila, who played a key role in the story 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 series' final episode), 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 passed away on November 9 at the age of 72. He was a legendary horse rider, even holding a place in the National Reining Horse Association’s Hall of Fame and winning the title of the World's Greatest Horseman twice.
As for his connection to Yellowstone, he 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 providing his expertise with the animals.
Avila's full list of accomplishments, as seen on his personal website, are 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
- World’s Greatest Horseman – 2000 & 2007
- AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year
Former 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 an Instagram post:
"Our cowboy community lost legendary horseman Bob Avila suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday, November 9, at 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 time AQHA World Champion, two-time World’s Greatest Horseman and two-time AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year.
Bob made and rode countless equine greats, and trained countless aspiring horsemen and horsewomen in his iconic life and career. He leaves behind his wife, Dana; son, BJ; and a million cowboy friends, rodeo cowboys and cowgirls included. There’s no telling how many great rodeo horses passed through Bob’s masterful hands in their younger years.
Love to everyone dealing with this devastating sudden loss of a cowboy legend."
As detailed by Sports Illustrated, Avila hailed from Redwood City, California, and was born into a family of rodeo enthusiasts. He earned well over $1 million during his time in the National Reining Horse Association and the National Reined Cow Horse Association, and he dedicated his later life to passing down this tradition.
A Facebook post from the Arizona Quarter Horse Association praised his versatility and his skills with horses along with his knack for "mentoring, educating and coaching horseman" of all experience levels. He was beloved by all in the community and left his mark on this group and so many others.
Horse & Rider's tribute to Avila explained in detail how profound his impact was on everyone who worked with him, whether it was in training horses or in shoots for his Winning Insights magazine. His commitment to excellence, care of 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 the entire Yellowstone community during this difficult time.