Isaac Diaz and Layton Green were tied for second with 85.5 points going into the Finals in Kennewick and both made great rides Saturday night, Diaz’s was just ever-so-slightly better.
The seven-time NFR qualifier rode Calgary Stampede’s Wild Cherry for 88.5 points, a half-point better than Green’s 88 aboard Xena Warrior in the Short Round.
Wild Cherry is known to sometimes cause trouble in the chutes and Diaz said when things like that happen, he uses it to fire himself up and get in the mindset that it’s going to be a wrestling match for eight seconds.
“I was super nervous, I’ve wanted that horse for a long time, she’s one of them that you know there’s really no point in nodding if you don’t get her spurred out,” Diaz said. “It worked out and I was glad to have her.”
DIAZ’S 88.5-POINT RIDE
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