by Ruthie Stewart

The horse show world lost a much beloved member on March 30. Bobbi Pullin, 60, of Whitsett, Texas passed away during a routine surgery. “She was a ferocious competitor,” said her husband Doug, “but Bobbi was always there to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. She had a keen eye for choosing great horses and loved to travel to different farms looking for “the one.”

She was thought of as “Horse Show Mom” to many people and was an icon in the horse industry. “Bobbi loved everbody and was loved by everybody. She never met a stranger and seemed to know everyone in the Quarter Horse business,” adds Doug. Along with a love of horses and dogs, Bobbi enjoyed traveling, scuba diving, and spending time with her grandchildren, who were the joy of her life.

Bobbi was born January 12, 1948 in the Panama Canal Zone. Her father was a Military Attaché to Central and South American countries and she lived there until she was fourteen. During her tenure there, she became fluent in Spanish and her playmates were the children of the seven original astronauts.

Her love of horses was kindled at the stable at Langley Air Force Base and lasted for over 50 years. Bobbi was involved with all facets of the horse industry and started out riding working hunters and polo ponies. From there she barrel raced, showed halter, english classes, and western pleasure which eventually led her to the Quarter Horse all around events. Bobbi ran barrels in an english saddle before it was against the American Quarter Horse rules.

“Mom had the biggest heart and always wanted to help people in everything they did. She only wanted the best for the people closest to her,” says Stefanie Pullin, her youngest daughter.

Stefanie adds that Bobbi was a mom who made sure she and her sister had everything they needed and were happy. Both Wendy and Stefanie are riders and Bobbi took enormous pride in their success.

Bobbi dearly loved the horses and the people she met over the years and couldn’t stand to miss a horse show, even when she was sick. “She loved being a horse show mom and traveling to all the shows with me. She would do entries, clean stalls, and help with loading the trailer. She was amazing, and always very organized,” adds Stefanie.

“She was a beautiful person inside and out and did a great job raising us. A disciplinarian when she needed to be, mom was loving and nurturing, too. I think her mission in life was to make sure people were happy and she would always make them laugh when they were down,” adds Stefanie.

Bobbie introduced Stefanie to horses at a young age and Stefanie has many great memories of her show career with her mom, along with four World Championships.

A straight shooter, Bobbi told it like it was. “I used to hate to say, ‘Mom you are right.’ But she always was and I learned just a few years ago to always listen to what she said. She was always looking out for my best interest.

“I will miss everything about my mom, and I talked to her three or four times a day. Now, when I drive to and from work or go to lunch, I find myself trying to dial her number and then realize I cannot talk to her anymore. I will miss her at the horse shows. She did so much to help me, even the little things that I didn’t realize she did. Most of all, I will miss her advice on life.”

Wendy Blasi, Bobbi’s oldest daughter, echoes her sister’s sentiment, “My mom was first a great mom and most loving grandparent to my twins, Bella and Brando. She would help me with advice on life, parenting, and when I showed as a youth gave me great supportive guidance.”

Bobbi had a warm heart and a great personality. She was motivating and spontaneous, with a great laugh and big smile, recalls Wendy. Wendy also spoke to Bobbi several times a day and will miss their talks, her loving time spent with her grandchildren, and her “great shopping buddy.”

Bobbi’s collaborations with Paul Diuri, owner of the show clothing business, Paula’s Place, were wellknown and admired in the show pen. Bobbie enjoyed helping exhibitors with their show ensembles, and many people relied on her to create the look they needed to win.

“There are no words that can adequately express how important a role Bobbi Pullin played in my life and what she means to me. Bobbi was more than a friend. She was my soulmate and a large part of my life. I can honestly say that Paula’s Place would not be what it is today without Bobbi’s constant, encouraging influence,” says Paula.

Diuri adds that Bobbi had a very unique way of having a positive impact on all the people she was around. Her compassion for people and animals was amazing along with her genuine love and kindness for all the kids that grew up around her will be remembered by Paula and the horse show community. “Most of all, I will remember Bobbi for being Bobbi. I am so grateful to have had her in my life. Of course, it was way too short. But I will cherish the time forever,” adds Paula.

Robin Frid trained for Bobbi Pullin and he remembers fondly the day he met her. It was in September of 1994 when he’d just moved to Texas at the ripe old age of 20.

“Well, you’re a young one now aren’t ya,” Bobbi said to Frid. “It kind of set the stage for our entire relationship. I never had to guess where I stood with her. She struck me then at that moment as a very self-confident, yet down-to-earth person,” says Frid.

In the horse business, she played an often overlooked, yet invaluable role. Most people know her love for show fashion, but many do not know how big a role she played in being a ground person. “She had an extremely well-trained eye for watching the horses and helping me train what I would feel into what she wanted to see,” recalls Frid. “Though I only saw her ride a horse once, I always knew in the back of my mind that if I could not train the horse, she could.

“It sounds like a cliché, but her favorite part of the horse industry had to be the people. She loved going to the shows just to visit with old friends or make new ones.” For Bobbi, life really was all about the relationships we make with each other.

Frid has many great memories of Bobbi and they logged a lot of miles down the highway together. One memory that stands out was when they got certified to dive together. “Doug and Stef were already certified, and she asked me if I wanted to try. We were both freaking out. She loved it! She was never afraid to branch out into undiscovered country. I will miss that so much.”

“Dale Livingston said it best, ‘Bobbi was a caretaker.’ She took care of everything and everyone she met. She certainly was a maverick who was never afraid to try something new. If it didn’t work, she would just find another way and try again. Heck, she kept me around long enough; I am sure she had to try several ways to figure me out.”

Bobbi’s passing has been felt deeply by Frid. Though he wasn’t her maternal child, there will never be a question in his mind that he was her son. She treated him with as much love and care as she did her own kids and he feels he can never repay that. “She taught me to truly love my job, but she also taught me when to get away from it and give my brain and body much-needed rest. I never really have been good at relaxing, but she always kept that part of me in check.”

The part Robin loved most about Bobbi is that you always knew where you stood. “I admire that in someone. Just say what’s on your mind and get it over with.

“I will miss the days out on the boat, the vacations together, and the uplifting words of encouragement. When I didn’t believe in myself, she did!”

Vickie Jetelina and Bobbi met 15 years ago when Vickie’s daughter, Courtney, started riding and became close friends on a Richard Simmons’ cruise. “We had such a great time, even though we did not conform to the Richard Simmons’ way. We were moved from our dining table because the rest of our table did not like the Baked Alaska that we had at the end of our meal.” The pair toured Cancun, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. Bobbi led the conga line at Senor Frog’s and since that trip, Bobbi and Vickie went to Cozumel every couple of months for what they called “spa weekends.” They would leave Friday morning and come back Monday. “We would totally pamper ourselves and we didn’t like the taxi’s so we would rent mopeds. We went everywhere on those mopeds. Our families thought we were crazy and called us the Moped Queens. We loved riding around the entire island on them, the faster the better.”

Bobbi was as supportive and protective of Vickie’s family as she was of her own. “I will always love her for that. I think of her family as an extension of my own. We have gone on vacation together for years and we have had so many wonderful times. She was literally a second mother to my daughter Courtney. We have shared millions of laughs and tears about our families.”

No matter what happened in their lives, Bobbi could always find humor in it. Vickie would call her when she was down and by the time they finished talking, she’d be crying from the laughter. “She just had a way of finding some good in everything that happened,” adds Vickie.

Doug and Bobbi had a barn full of kids dubbed the “Pullin Kids” and Bobbi was a driving force in each one of their lives. She taught them to take pride in themselves and in their accomplishments and pushed them to succeed, yet do it in good sportsmanship. They were constantly at her home in the summers. Bobbi loved the house when it was full of teenagers and enjoyed hanging out at the mall or just talking by the pool together. “She made them feel like they were important. She kept up with all of her kids over the years. The kids loved to hear her tell stories of her childhood travels and adventures. They would beg her just to tell them one more story. She had a fascinating childhood and life and we all loved to hear her tell of it. It would take days to sit down and describe what a really wonderful person Bobbi was and what a wonderful friend I had found in her.”

Bobbie Pullin was a beautiful soul whose kindness and spirit won’t be forgotten. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Doug, her two daughters, Wendy Blasi and Stefanie Pullin, and four stepchildren, Lori Jackson, Craig Pullin, Darcey Titus, Brent Pullin and grandchildren Bella and Brando Blasi, Cody, Tate, Cole, and Madison Jackson, Leah and Cory Pullin. She also left behind many wonderful people who will miss her friendship. Her generosity and talent have touched many lives and her memory will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know her. Bobbi Pullin was many things to many people and she will be missed.