Bob Avila: The Loss of A Legend
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66 – March/April, 2025
By Megan Sacia Ulrich
Bob Avila touched every corner of the equine industry. A trainer’s trainer, an endorsee extraordinaire, a mentor and teacher – the many ways he’s been described since his sudden death November 9th barely scratch the surface of the impact he had on all things horses and horsemanship. Whether by watching one of his instructional videos, learning from him or one of the many trainers he mentored who carry on his philosophies, participating in a discipline he helped transform, purchasing tack he endorsed, listening to his commentary at events or watching him on Yellowstone, we’ve all been touched in some way by his horsemanship and stewardship of the industry.
So to say the industry was shocked to learn of his passing at age 72 is no understatement. Bob and his wife, Dana, were attending the World Show and were watching one of Bob’s favorite events–roping–alongside his friends and heroes when he began feeling ill. Just a day later, Bob was gone.
“I’d give anything for just five more minutes with him. I’m thankful for the life he lived. It was a storied life. He was never sick a day; he lived life on his terms and left on his terms. We should all be so lucky,” Dana says.
A celebration of life was held January 26 at the Kimes’ Ranch facility with some of his best friends participating in the standing room only service, inclu-ding Dale Livingston, Bobby Smith, Jeff Mutters, Al Dunning, and Juli Thorson, along with many others.
When many think of Bob, they think of immaculately presented horses and perfectly starched shirts and jeans, but there was another side to him that lov-ed letting loose: visiting with friends, playing practical jokes, boating on the Colorado River, attending retreats with Rancheros Vistadores, or riding in the side-by-side with Dana through the national forest near their Scottsdale, Arizona home.
“To us he was just Bob. He wasn’t an icon or a legend. He loved to have fun,” Dana says.
The Early Days
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66 – March/April, 2025
