When a horseman has won as many titles and more than a million dollars in the show pen as Bob Avila did, it’s easy to attempt to measure his influence in trophies, buckles, and checks. And while Bob collected all those things many times over in several disciplines on some of the best horses, his true impact can’t be measured in only dollar signs and hardware. It’s much farther-reaching.

                  As an editor for Horse&Rider for nearly 10 years, I saw the “Bob Avila Effect” in action, not only at his barn where we conducted our annual shoots for his Winning Insights department that appeared in every issue of H&R since well before I joined the team, but in almost every Western trainer I encountered. When I boil down what I learned from Bob and what I’ve heard other horsemen and horsewomen, both professional and non pro, say about Bob, it comes down to four traits: Commitment to excellence, expert care of his stock, shrewd business sense, and willingness to share his knowledge. These things will forever cement his legacy and continue to shape the horse world.

Commitment to Excellence

To say Bob’s barn was pristine might be an understatement. He kept alleys swept, stalls immaculate, tack and gear carefully stored in a very specific order, trucks and trailers washed and shiny. For every shoot, he’d bust out new polo wraps, he’d grab freshly cleaned and oiled tack, and have his horses looking like they were heading to a world show or futurity. He was always fully starched, with a perfectly creased hat and shiny boots. You might see him in a cap and a polo occasionally, but not often. And even then, it wasn’t ever sloppy.

                  Bob understood that how he presented himself and his horses said everything about his business. He was the epitome of the saying, “how you do one thing is how you do everything.” In our time together, he expressed often that his rig had to be immaculately clean because it was a traveling billboard for his business. Even after he’d already made a name for himself. He knew that potential new customers would notice if he arrived at a show disheveled or his horses had shavings in their tails. Even if he was schooling a horse, Bob believed he should dress the part as if he was showing for a big check.

                  Bob also committed himself to excellent customer service. Being a horse trainer is as much about relationships as it is riding every day. He and his wife, Dana, offered a first-class experience for their owners and riders and expected the same of their help. This meant he had longstanding customers who trusted him and his program and brought in new ones because of his reputation.

                  When you have that level of commitment to excellence, it’s hard not to be successful, whether it’s in business or in the show pen.

Expert Care

Bob never stopped learning about equine nutrition, health, sports medicine, and tools that could help his horses achieve their full potential. From cutting-edge therapeutic machines to first-class feeding programs to helping his sponsors develop gear that protected and helped all  horses, Bob wouldn’t settle for less than the best. He knew it could make the difference between winning first and second place. But he also knew it could mean the horse had a short time in the spotlight or a lifelong career that celebrated the horse’s true talents. Going from winning aged events to showing in senior classes and then competing as a non pro and youth mount.

                  I always felt fortunate to see Bob love on the retired horses in his barn. Especially Brother White, aka “Preacher,” who was shown by Bob, Dana, and Bob’s son BJ. Bob had deep appreciation for all horses. From the young ones with endless potential to the oldsters who’d paid their dues.

Shrewd Business Sense

Bob had a natural knack for business, but he also surrounded himself with high-achieving businesspeople. He caught on to financial trends, identified opportunities, and learned from everyone around him. His move from Oregon to California represented an opportunity to evolve his business by being more centrally located, but also as an investment in land for his financial future. His move to Arizona, where he and Dana had been the last few years, allowed him to downsize at just the right time, but also to get into another part of the industry by installing a swimming pool for horses to recover and do hydrotherapy as part of his business.

I can’t count the number of horse trainers who’ve told me they learned their best business practices by either working for Bob, asking for his business advice, or learning by watching him or reading articles he’d written for various magazines.

                  Bob mentored countless young professionals—from horse trainers to those starting other businesses in the horse world. He taught them to have ethics, take pride in themselves and their craft, think about optics and perceptions, and to plan for their futures. Bob often told me he saw too many of his good friends who were unstoppable horse trainers struggle later in life because they hadn’t planned ahead. Bob didn’t want to see another trainer encounter that.

Willingness to Share

Bob loved sharing his knowledge and discussing horses and horse training with his peers. But whether you were a fellow world champ or a newcomer just starting, Bob’s willingness to share his expertise knew no bounds. People still talk about his publication, Ride With Bob Avila, where he really got into the nitty-gritty of horses and horse training, and he contributed more articles and knowledge to the H&R audience than I can measure. He gave many clinics, including the groundbreaking Heroes & Friends Symposium, which became a traveling event and a sought-after VHS/DVD set, and he coached some of the top non pro riders.

                  His expertise really was limitless. He came up in a time when horsemen did everything, from halter to roping, pleasure to cow horse. And he was good at all of it. When specialization became the trend, Bob settled in with reining and cow horse. But he always roped and kept an eye on other parts of the industry. His open mind gave him a unique perspective in a time of silos, which made his knowledge priceless. We should all feel lucky that he shared it with us in one way or another. Whether in print or in person.

Be More Like Bob

While Bob was one of a kind, it’s my hope that in the wake of losing him, we all try to be a little more like him. That we commit ourselves to being the best we can be at whatever we do, that we give our horses the care and thought they deserve, that we work hard in business to help elevate everyone around us, and that we share our knowledge—and seek it—so we all keep improving.

                  We might not be able to be as handy as Bob, and we definitely can’t be as cool as he was, but we can try to be a little more like him every day.

Read Some of our Favorite Bob Avila Articles:

Avila’s Tips for Getting Your Mojo Back
What Makes a Legend?
How to Give—and Get—a Good Clinic
Goals That Get You There