The western efficiency horse neighborhood mourns the lack of legend Bob Avila, who handed away on November ninth on the age of 72.
Bob Avila, who handed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November ninth, left an enduring impression on the western horse business — particularly within the reining and reined cow horse worlds. Over his profession, he achieved a mixed earnings of almost 1.5 million in each disciplines. He amassed 37 AQHA World champion and reserve world champion titles, starting from halter to efficiency horse lessons. The 2 most coveted titles within the reined cow horse world are profitable the Snaffle Bit Futurity and being topped the World’s Best Horseman — Avila managed to do each.
The Snaffle Bit Futurity is a contest restricted to three-year-old horses which should compete in reining, slicing and fence work. The very best mixed rating between the three disciplines wins. Avila received this occasion thrice in his profession — in 1988, 1999 and in 2003, all on sons of Sensible Stylish Olena. Avila went on to win the Worlds Best Horseman twice — as soon as in 2000 and once more in 2007. Avila is also one in every of solely two folks to perform the feat of profitable the snaffle bit futurity and the NRHA futurity.
He was inducted into the AQHA corridor of fame in 2020 and was an AQHA decide for 19 years.
Bob Avila additionally was generally known as the “trainers coach” and was an influential mentor to many large names within the reining and cow horse industries, together with Todd Bergen and Duane Latimer. In his later years, he had centered on instructing — creating many nice coaching movies and interesting in visitor appearances on podcasts speaking about his superb profession and coaching methods. He was a wealth of information and expertise and was dedicated to creating it accessible to the following era of horsemen and girls. He even made an look on Yellowstone as himself, doing what he did greatest — operating down the fence.
Avila additionally partnered with Skilled’s Alternative for over 30 years, working to develop the “Avila Assortment,” which introduced his favourite tack and instruments to the general public.
Bob Avila devoted his life to his craft and proclaimed himself as being hooked on Quarter Horses. He was really a legendary horseman and his passing will go away a void within the business for a while. Relaxation in peace, Bob Avila: 1952-2024.
