ProRodeo Sports News - May 29, 2020

AWAY FROM THE ARENA

William Kierce photo Veteran saddle bronc rider Isaac Diaz sits aboard his horse, Chick, 5, at his place in Desdemona, Texas. Diaz and his wife, Britany, have about 20 horses that they train to be barrel racing horses.

BY TRACY RENCK W ith PRCA rodeos at a standstill due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, cowboys have plenty of time on their hands. What have you been doing? Isaac: I’ve been riding horses. We have a few colts of our own here and some other stuff. Our main objective with our horses is to make barrel horses, but we rope on everything, and anything that doesn’t make a barrel horse, we sell as team roping horses. I think we have about 20 horses. Before I rode broncs, I team roped. I mainly head, but I enjoy heeling as well. Britany and I started dating in 2011, and that’s when we started our horse deal. What has been your mental approach? Isaac: I know a lot of guys have been trying to stay in shape and get on practice horses, and there’s absolutely not a thing wrong with that. But for me, the way last year unfolded with rehabbing (from tearing his groin and lower abdomen off his pelvis from competing in May 2019) for two-and-half months, after I rehabbed, I had to go to everything I possibly could when I came back, and I wasn’t healthy enough. I never felt burned out until last year. I’ve enjoyed the break (this season). I took my bronc saddle out of my bag (May 19) and that was the first time I saw it since I came home from Arcadia, Fla. (the middle of March). Isaac Diaz AT HOME WITH ...

This installment of “At Home With …” features saddle bronc rider Isaac Diaz, a six-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (2007, 2009, 2012-13, 2015, 2018). Diaz, 33, has earned more than $1 million in his PRCA career. Diaz and his wife, Britany, have been married six years. His wife qualified for the NFR in barrel racing in 2011 and 2014. They have a daughter, Whitlee Grace, 1. The family lives in Desdemona, Texas.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/29/2020

ProRodeo.com

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