Team Horse & Rider's Avila Wins Magnificent 7

Bob Avila became the first rider ever to sweep first and second places at the Magnificent 7 stock horse competition June 9.

Bob Avila and Light N Fine, 2006 Magnificent 7 champions. | Photo by Darrell Dodds

July 26, 2006 — Team Horse & Rider member Bob Avila, who contributes Horse & Rider’s monthly “Winning Insights” feature, made history June 9 when he placed both first and second at the Magnificent 7 stock horse competition in Sacramento, Calif. Horse & Rider sponsored the contest in conjunction with the 2006 Western States Horse Expo.

Avila won first-place honors with Light N Fine, a sorrel Grays Starlight stallion owned by Rhodes River Ranch of Arlington, Wash.

He and Brother White, a Smart Little Lena gelding owned by Dana Mandala of Temecula, Calif., took second place. Third place went to Mark Luis and Smartcashinvestment, owned by Linda Wood.

The Magnificent 7 showcases the top cow horse teams in the country by giving them the chance to compete in four events that demonstrate the traditions of the working cowboy: herd work, reined work, steer stopping, and working a cow down the fence.

For more information on Team Horse & Rider‘s 10 leading trainers and clinicians, visit special.equisearch.com/team_hr.

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