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 Tribute Explained

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

“This episode is dedicated to Bob Avila. See you on the dusty path, amigo.”

Avila died on November 9th at the age of 72. He was a legendary horseman who even held a place in the National Reining Horse Association Hall of Fame and won the title of “World’s Greatest Horseman” twice.

What his connection to YellowstoneHe made a guest appearance as himself in Season 3, Episode 8 (titled “I Killed a Man Today”). In this episode, he was seen shopping for horses along with Kevin Costner’s John Dutton and demonstrated his expertise in handling them available with the animals.

Avila’s full list of achievements, as seen on his personal website, is listed below:

• American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame
• NRCHA Hall of Fame
• NRCHA Million Dollar Riders
• 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 Greatest Rider in the World – 2000 and 2007
• AQHA Professional Rider of the Year

Former Professional bull riders Editor-in-Chief Kendra Santos paid tribute to Avila by recognizing his accomplishments and awards while also touching on the family he leaves behind in an Instagram post:

“Our cowboy community suddenly and unexpectedly lost legendary rider Bob Avila yesterday, November 9th, 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, multiple AQHA World Champion, two-time World’s Greatest Horseman and two-time AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year.

Bob has produced and ridden countless equine greats and trained countless aspiring riders and riders throughout his iconic life and career. He is survived by his wife, Dana; son, BJ; and a million cowboy friends, including rodeo cowboys and cowgirls. There’s no telling how many great rodeo horses passed through Bob’s masterful hands at a young age.

Love to all who are dealing with this devastating, sudden loss of a cowboy legend.

As Sports Illustrated reports, Avila is 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 dedicated his later life to passing on this tradition.

A Facebook post from the Arizona Quarter Horse Association praised his versatility and horse-handling skills, as well as his talent with horses “Care, training and coaching of riders” of all experience levels. He was loved by everyone in the community and left his mark on this and many other groups.

Horse & Rider’s tribute to Avila detailed how profound his influence was on everyone who worked with him, whether training horses or shooting for him Gaining insights Magazine. His commitment to excellence, animal care, business acumen and willingness to share knowledge were highlighted.

The obituary later described him as “The epitome of the saying: ‘As you do one thing, anything is possible.’”

The Direct sends our condolences and best wishes to Avila, his family and the entire family Yellowstone Community during this difficult time.