Alright fans, the wild ride of Yellowstone has reached its final stop, and well, what a journey it’s been. Since 2018, we’ve been hooked literally on this gritty, high-stakes drama of the Dutton family as they fought tooth and nail

to keep their Montana cattle ranch.

And with its dusty cowboy boots, betrayals, and Kevin Costner’s cowboy charisma, Yellowstone became the ultimate neo-Western obsession. Now after five seasons of ranching chaos, cattle rustling, and family drama that

could rival a Greek tragedy, we have a finale that ties it all together, or maybe just sets up a brand-new saga.

Let’s talk about Taylor Sheridan, the creative genius behind it all. Well, there’s no denying his sense of writing and producing, and for one more time, Sheridan returned to write and direct “Life Is a Promise,” the episode that

brought everything full circle. But before we could even catch our breath, the episode opened with a touching tribute, “In Memoriam: Bob Avila.”

Well, definitely you must be scratching your head, questioning what twisted move Sheridan pulled in the last episode. Don’t worry, hold your horses, Yellowstone season 5 finale made a heartfelt nod to a real-life cowboy who truly understood the heart of the show. So, grab your hat and tissues, because this finale is as much about endings as it is about honoring the dusty trail.

Who was Bob Avila?

Bob Avila was the cowboy who made the West feel even wilder, a horse-riding superstar whose legacy is as unforgettable as a Yellowstone sunset. To honor the legacy of the legend, Taylor Sheridan paid tribute by dedicating the final episode of Yellowstone with a heartfelt dedication. At the beginning of the episode, word reads,

This episode is dedicated to Bob Avila. See you down the dusty trail, amigo.

Well, Avila left his mark on the world, and not just with his boots. He passed away on November 10, 2024, at 72, but his larger-than-life presence is here to stay. And you know what, this guy didn’t just ride horses, he owned the arena.

With 37 World and Reserve World Champion titles and a spot as one of only seven Million Dollar Riders in the National Reined Cow Horse Association, Avila was basically the Michale Jordan of cowboying. Yes, that’s a word now.

Interestingly, Avila has had over $1.8 million in lifetime earnings, and his saddle might as well have been solid gold. The horse rider was raised in Redwood City, California, with a rodeo cowboy dad and a mom who taught riding lessons. He was practically born with spurs on. And did you know he even popped in Yellowstone season 3 episode 8, “I Killed a Man Today,” playing himself because, let’s face it, nobody else could?

And if dominating the horse world wasn’t enough, he also penned two books, titled Be a Smart Horse Buyer: A Guide to Avoiding Common Mistakes and Finding the Right Horse for You and Win With Bob Avila” Beyond Training, Mentoring from a World Champion Horseman. Avila wasn’t just a cowboy; he was the cowboy, riding off into the sunset but leaving behind a legend big enough to fill the Montana sky.

How did Bob Avila die?

The legendary horseman and trainer, Bob Avila, who could teach a horse to moonwalk if he wanted to sadly passed away unexpectedly on November 9, 2024, while attending the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship. He was 72, and while the cause of his death hasn’t been publicly disclosed, his legacy is loud and clear.

Sharing the news of his death, the AQHA posted on Instagram, and let’s just say, the cowboy world collectively tipped its hats in respect. The post read,

The AQHA family has lost a legend. AQHA Professional Horseman and American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame member Bob Avila passed away today at the age of 72.

Avila’s passing leaves a huge hole and some very big cowboy boots to fill. The heartfelt message extended love and prayers to his wife, Dana, his son, BJ, and the rest of the Avila crew, because, let’s face it, this cowboy wasn’t just a legend; he was family to the AQHA community. While he might’ve ridden off into the great unknown, his impact will gallop on for generations.

Other cowboys featured in Yellowstone

Turns out, Yellowstone didn’t just feature actors playing cowboys, Taylor Sheridan has literally brought out the legends of the arena. The mid-season premiere of Season 5 tipped its cowboy hat to the legendary Billy Klapper. Known for his craftsmanship, Klapper appeared in ‘Under a Blanket of Red’ back in season 4. That’s right, the guy made bits and TV magic.

Then there’s Buster Welch, the horse-training maestro who graced season 4 with his presence, instantly reminding everyone why he’s considered cowboy royalty. Not to be outdone, Barry Corbin, yes, Maurice from Northern Exposure, also showed up with all the swagger of a seasoned cowboy. Turns out, he’s not just an acting icon but also a legit-cutting horse champion.

And let’s not forget John Prine, whose music closed out Season 4’s third episode. While he didn’t appear on screen, the tribute was a touching nod to his soulful, timeless tunes. Yellowstone didn’t just tell cowboy tales, it brought the legends themselves into the fold, adding a layer of authenticity and heart to its rugged, dusty world.

Yellowstone Season 5 finale finally pays tribute to John Dutton

Finally, Yellowstone season 5 went all out to honor the man, the myth, the stubborn legend, John Dutton. While Jamie’s busy scheming his way to who-knowns-what with Sarah Atwood, the rest of the Dutton Ranch gears up to bury their patriarch.

Of course, it’s an emotional day on the ranch, but we can’t have it without some classic cowboy grit. Rip offers Lloyd a spot on the new ranch, but being the OG cowboy, the latter is, he’d rather hang up his spurs than leave Yellowstone. Meanwhile, Beth, of course, delivers one last mic drop moment at John’s casket, saying,

You made me promise not to sell an inch and I hope you understand that this is me keeping it. There may not be cows on it, but there won’t be condos either. We won.

Clearly, it’s Beth in her raw, fierce glory, vowing to honor her dad’s legacy. After the funeral, while everyone says their goodbyes, Rip stays behind to give his father-in-law the ultimate send-off, promising to take care of Beth and love her as much as she loved John.

The day wraps with Gator cooking a wagon train-style feast, because even grief needs good grub but Beth’s already on the move, Kayce’s family heads home, and the Dutton legacy remains firmly rooted in the Montana soil.

Will there be Yellowstone season 6?

Well, the answer’s murkier than a Montana river. Back in 2023, Paramount announced that Yellowstone season 5 would be the show’s last season, citing behind-the-scenes drama between Kevin Costner and Taylor Sheridan. By 2024, Costner officially bowed out, leaving us wondering how the series would end without him.

Fast forward to today, the finale episode of season 5 has been released, and Beth Dutton herself shared with The New York Times that the finale had been filmed and confirmed the show’s end. She shared,

We are absolutely ending this show.

But in a separate interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Reilly and co-star, Cole Hauser hinted that Sheridan could whip up more storylines for their characters if he felt like it. Hauser shared,

Taylor can figure out how to absolutely continue if he wants to. But that’s just Taylor being a brilliant writer. I’m not telling you that it is continuing, it’s just that he’s smart enough as a writer to do that if that’s something that he is passionate about.

So, is Season 6 happening? Nobody knows for sure. What we do know is that the Yellowstone universe isn’t slowing down. Spinoffs like 1883 and 1923 have set the stage for more prequels (1944, anyone?) and rumors swirl about shows like The Madison and a Beth-and-Rip spinoff. Bottom line? Even if the main series says goodbye, there’s plenty more Yellowstone drama to saddle up for.