Bob Avila is a renowned American Professional horseman and Hall of Famer who achieved a milestone in his profession. He made a special appearance on Yellowstone.
After a horseman has won as many titles and over one million dollars in the show pen as Bob Avila has, it is easy to make an effort to gauge his impact by trophies, buckles, dollars, and so on. And though Bob has amassed all those things much more so in every discipline on some of the best horses, his real contribution cannot be gauged in terms of dollars and freaks only. It is a lot more far-reaching.
Who is Bob Avila?
At the age of 72, Avila passed away on November 9. Avila is regarded as one of the greatest horsemen in history and is a member of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, having won over 37 championships.
Born into a family of riders, Avila’s father was a rodeo cowboy and horse trainer, while his mother gave riding lessons.
He spent 18 years of his life in Temecula, where the family owned a ranch in California, before settling in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he spent the rest of his life. During his career, Avila had National Reining Horse Association winnings of 381,339.94 and 1.113,022.09 National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) winnings.
The pro was named the World Greatest Horseman by the NRCHA in 2000 and 2007, and in 2020 was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame.
As a businessman, Avila worked simultaneously with one of the biggest equestrian accessories companies, Professional Choice of Choices, where he developed a collection of bridles and spurs and became a teacher to several professional riders and trainers of the future.
Bob Avila: Quick Info
Full name | Robert Charles Avila |
Date of Birth | 16 November 1951 |
Age at death | 72 years old |
Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
Place of birth | Redwood City, California, USA |
Nationality | American |
Relationship status | Married |
Spouse | Dana Avila |
Remembering Bob Avila
Even though Bob Avila died on the 9th of November, 2024, at age 72, having succumbed to complications arising out of diabetes and lung ailment, his influence and impact are still flourishing in the horseracing society. People who knew him or tracked his career would support the statement that he left an indelible impression as a champion-mentor and an honest-to- God horseman. Having been born and raised in the city of Redwood, California, Bob was exposed to the equestrian world at an early age as his father was a rodeo cowboy and a horse trainer, while his mother could provide riding lessons. He grew up being exposed to horses at a tender age.
In the footsteps of the legend, Bob Avila
In 2019, BJ Avila, the son of horseman legend Bob Avila, did something that followed in his father's footsteps. BJ and his horse Dera Cat won the Open Bridle World Championship held at the NRCHA Celebration of Champions. It was super tough. Ten horses were competing for the title, and the abilities of BJ and Magnum were prominent. They secured first place, having scored 428.5, gaining a well-deserved victory that brought BJ a plethora of emotions due to pride, as well as gratitude.
Equestrian career
Bob, as a child, lived in a family with the majority of people being AQHA competitors. He grew up with horses at an early age and was introduced to several different disciplines.
The deceased rode man was smart at halter and rope, cow horse competitions, reining, and western pleasure. This made him be described as one of the last true versatile horsemen. Jim Spence, another reined cow horse trainer in the industry, mentioned the following about Bob as he is quoted in Quarter Horse News:
“He would find and train a halter horse and turn it into a world champion. None of us does it any longer.”
Twice an NRCHA World's Greatest Horseman and three times champion of the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open, Avila has won many big professional honors. He also made a mark of five-time winning the NRCHA Stallion Stakes. He was able to teach a lot of people his technique of mentoring outside the arena.
Works of literature
Bob Avila wrote about his horseback riding abilities. His book, Play a Major Role in Training the New horsemanshiper. Win With Bob Avila: Beyond Training, Mentoring from a World Champion Horseman, is one of his best-known books. He and Juli Thorson co-wrote the book.
Be a Smart Horse Buyer: A Guide to Avoiding Common Mistakes & Finding the Right Horse for You is another book that Avila wrote. This book offers helpful advice on how to evaluate sale films, comprehend pre-purchase exams, and buy the proper horse.
Bob made significant contributions to horse literature as well. He contributed to Horse & Rider magazine regularly. Through a variety of media, he solidified his renowned reputation as a mentor and teacher in the field of horse training.
Business Ventures
Bob wasn’t just limited to horsemanship and was also a renowned businessman, managing several other ventures. He was a co-owner of Avila Training Stables, situated in Arizona. He also developed his line of horse products, including saddles and tack.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was Bob Avila’s wife?
He was married to Dana Mandala Avila. They were married for over 17 years.
2. When did Bob Avila die?
Bob Avila died on 9 November 2024. He was a renowned horseman who made a huge name in his field.
3. When was Bob Avila born?
Bob Avila was born on 16 November 1951. His legacy in his field started right after he stepped into the vast field of horsemanship.
