Diaz claims big bronc win at Horse Heaven Roundup

Isaac Diaz has been coming to the Horse Heaven Round-Up for 10 years. In that time, the saddle bronc rider has placed second once, but other than that, he hasn’t won another penny.

This week, the rodeo gods are smiling upon the Texas cowboy. He won $5,440 Tuesday at the Champions Challenge, and Friday night, he rode Broken Spring to the tune of 84 points to take over the lead in the event.

“It’s still surreal to me,” Diaz said. “I’ve been coming here for years and always leave with nothing. I knew coming here today that I had a good one.”

Diaz is sitting fourth in the world standings — just $1,100 out of third — and has qualified for his fifth National Finals Rodeo.

“I’ve had good draws lately and God is looking out for me,” Diaz said. “This is the best year of my life. There’s only been one other year going into September where I had the NFR made. Waking up every morning knowing that I’ve made it makes it more fun.”

Quote of the night

“This is a fast rodeo and the pressure is on to make a good run. You have to let your hair down and stick your tongue out.” — Tie-down roper Chase Williams, after posting the hot run of the night in 7.5 seconds.

Best of the rest

Carley Richardson knocked Mary Walker from the top of the barrel racing standings with a run of 16.93 seconds. Walker’s time of 17.28 had held since Wednesday. ... Clayton Jon Bigelow moved into second place in the bareback event with a score of 77 points on Pale Face. ... In the steer wrestling, Tyler Waguespack moved into a three-way tie for the lead in the second go-round with a run of 3.7 seconds. ... Clay Tryan and Jade Corkill turned in a time of 4.1 seconds in team roping to move into second in the go-round and second in the average.

Hand over your keys

Team roper Derrick Begay has been having to hitch a ride with roping partner Clay O’Brien Copper this week after being stopped Tuesday coming into Kennewick for the Champions Challenge. Begay ran a red light back home in Arizona nearly two years ago, and paid the $220 fine. What no one told him was that he also had to take an 8-hour class on top of the fine. When he didn’t, his license was suspended. Now he knows. On top of that, his Kennewick court date was the same day he was scheduled to rope in Ellensburg. Fortunately, he was able to get that changed and will be able to rope and go to court. Good thing he and Cooper won the top prize at the Champions Challenge, he may need it.

King of the sheep

Bay Blair, 6, of Haines, Ore., had the top score of the week Friday in the mutton bustin’ with a 94. He will be a kindergartener this fall at North Powder Elementary.

Friday’s results

Bareback: Clayton Jon Bigelow 77 points; David Peebles 75; R.C. Landingham 70; Colt Kitaif 68.

Tie-down roping: Chase Williams 7.5 seconds; Blaine Cox 7.6; Nathan Steinberg 8.9; Cory Solomon 9.4.

Steer wrestling: Tyler Waguespack 3.7 seconds; Noah Lassa 5.1; B.J. Taruscio 6.0; Tyler Pearson 14.0.

Saddle bronc: Isaac Diaz 84 points; Jake Wright 80; Cody Taton 77; Chase Brooks 74.

Team roping: Clay Tryan-Jake Corkill 4.1 seconds; Clay Smith-Paul Eaves 4.5; Bubba Buckaloo-Jonathan Torres 9.5; Pace Freed-Cody Pearson 9.6.

Barrel racing: Carly Richardson 16.93 seconds; Rachel Dice 17.46; Megan McLeod 17.61; Kathy Grimes 17.79.

This story was originally published August 28, 2015 at 11:11 PM with the headline "Diaz claims big bronc win at Horse Heaven Roundup."