DENVER — Before he could walk, Jerry Diaz was already riding a horse in the arms of his father who came from Mexico and helped foster the culture and traditions of Mexican horsemanship in the United States.
“I get the legacy from my father,” Diaz said while standing next to his horse, Mil Amores (A Thousand Loves) at the Denver Coliseum.
Jerry Diaz is a fourth generation Charro, a Mexican horseman, who has been directing the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza for 29 years.
Diaz credits his father’s teachings for making the show successful all these years.
“He was like a pioneer in Texas, and not only Texas, but throughout the United States,” Diaz said of his father, Jose de Jesus Diaz.
“And that’s why we are here, to honor what he taught us. The pride, the dignity, the loyalty,” Diaz said.
The Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza involves around 275 people and animals for a two-hour show featuring mariachis, bull riding, dancers, and trick roping.
Diaz hopes people who see the show take away an understanding that many of the cowboy customs and terms in the United States came from Mexican vaqueros (cowboys) who drove cattle in the southwest.
“You can see the people in the show, from the singers to the writers and the performers, the love that's there. Everybody has this sparkle in their eyes,” Diaz said.
There are two scheduled Mexican Rodeo shows on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
9NEWS will livestream the 2 p.m. show.
If you have more information about this story or would like to send a news tip you can contact jeremy@9news.com.
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