Who is Jerry Diaz?
By Jennifer Zehnder September 20, 2019. Jerry Diaz brought the pageantry of charro horsemanship to the masses. Now, as he passes the lessons of four generations of horsemen on to his young son, Diaz hopes he’ll be remembered as more than just a specialty act. A soft mist taunts drought-stricken pastures as I make my way up ...
Who is Jerry Diaz's mother?
Photo by John Brasseaux. Jerry’s mother, Rosa Diaz, remembers how her son couldn’t wait for his father to come home from work so the pair could train horses. “It didn’t matter what time it was,” she says. “Two in the morning or two in the afternoon.”.
What are the monturas in the Diaz tack room?
The family’s monturas, or saddles, are the most identifiable icons among the horse gear, with their intricate hand-stitched designs fashioned from fibers of maguey cactus. Jerry’s father has worked to keep the tradition of piteado alive, embroidering the family’s saddles with traditional fretwork.
What kind of horses does Diaz have?
The Diaz equine troupe is diverse, including Quarter Horses, Paints, Appaloosas, Andalusians and Andalusian/Quarter Horse crosses. Jerry and Staci work with as many as three stallions in each performance, adding to the degree of difficulty.
What did Jose Diaz love?
Jose Diaz’s love of horses is a passion he passed to his son. And, from an early age, Jerry proved a willing pupil as he sought to absorb everything he could about the charro discipline. Jerry learned to follow the movement of the horse from the back of his father’s mount.
What is a true charro?
The true charro is a master horseman of unparalleled ability, working with skill, elegance and dignity, performing maneuvers with a complexity rivaling upper-level dressage and a flavor influenced by generations of stockmen who depended on horses every day.
What was Jerry's father's code?
While traveling with the Barnum and Bailey Circus, training horses for Western movies and even doubling as the Cisco Kid in a television series, Jerry’s father adhered to the strict charro code: chivalry, high ethics, expert horsemanship, and dedication to family and tradition.