Diaz Keeps Rolling with Another Kennewick Win
KENNEWICK, WASH. – This amazing season for saddle bronc rider Isaac Diaz doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
The Desdemona, Texas cowboy continued full-steam ahead by winning the Horse Heaven Round-Up (Aug. 26-29) with an 84-point ride on Big Bend Rodeo’s Broken Spring.
“That was a very good ride,” Diaz said. “That was a pretty young horse. I saw that horse with Zeke Thurston at Omak (Wash.), and I was excited to have him. He really bucked and everything went well. That rodeo has been really good to me this week.”
Diaz is right about Kennewick. He won the title at Wrangler Champions Challenge Presented by Justin Boots at Kennewick Aug. 25 with an 83-point ride on Big Bend Rodeo’s Jamboree and collected a $3,944 check. Diaz added a $4,456 for his win Aug. 29 at the rodeo.
“I went there (Kennewick) hoping to do good, but I never imagined it would go as well as it did,” Diaz said. “It was dang sure pretty cool. I’ve never won the Kennewick (rodeo) before so that’s cool as well. A couple of months ago, I had a really big week and won $6,000 or $7,000 and I was hoping I would have a couple more of those, and it seems like every week I’ve won between $5,000 to $9,000. It has been surreal for me, and I hope it doesn’t end.”
Diaz was fourth in the most recent Windham Weaponry High Performance PRCA World Standings with $86,623.
That is rarified air for Diaz. He’s qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo four times (2007, 2009, 2012, 2013), and his career-best finish was eighth in 2007 with $123,270.
“This season has been unbelievable,” said Diaz, 28. “I never looked at myself as one of the guys who could be in the top three or four in the world, especially at this time in the season. I always knew I was capable of this, but it just never was a reality for me. It sure is pretty awesome and I hope it keeps rolling. I have way more confidence than I’ve ever have.”
Diaz acknowledged the biggest difference for him this season has been his approach.
“I just think it has been my focus,” Diaz said. “I’ve been working out a little more serious now. I also have learned from my mistakes and I’ve put my trust in God completely, way more now than I have the last couple of years, and it is paying off for me.”
Other winners at the $$159,633 rodeo were all-around cowboy Trevor Brazile ($3,194, tie-down roping and team roping), bareback rider Ty Breuer (79 points on Big Bend Rodeo’s Cougar Mountain), steer wrestler Bray Armes (7.1 seconds on two head), team ropers Tyler Wade and Kinney Harrell (9.1 seconds on two head), tie-down ropers Tuf Cooper, and Marty Yates (15.2 seconds on two head), barrel racer Carley Richardson (16.93 seconds) and bull riders Dallee Mason (86 points on Flying 5 Rodeo’s Snap), and Parker Breding (86 points on Flying 5 Rodeo’s No. 1793).
For more coverage of the Caldwell Night Rodeo, check out the Sept. 11 issue of the ProRodeo Sports News.
Courtesy of PRCA