Saratoga News

Photograph by Jack Greene

(From left) Ashley, Bob and Patti Diamond, dressed in their riding gear, show off their first-place ribbon at the 1996 Tennessee Walking Horse Competition.

Whole family rides and shows

By Cecily Barnes

Native Saratogan Patti Diamond has been riding horses at her family's Morgan Hill ranch since she was 2 years old, and showing since age 6. In 1989 when she tied the knot with Bob Diamond, she made sure her new husband loved not only her, but horses too.

"A big part of my life is horses and showing them. I really wanted to share that with somebody," Patti said. "I met a lot of guys who didn't like horses. I don't think that would have worked out too well."

Fortunately, there was no problem. Bob Diamond had a love of horses from boyhood. Since they've joined forces, Bob and Patti have not only honed their skills as award-winning riders, they've also encouraged 3-year-old daughter Ashley and 6-month old son Tyler to do the same. Two weeks ago in Reno, Tyler competed in his first show, with his parents holding him in the saddle at a walk. His tiny blue ribbon, received by all the diaper-wearing contestants, is now displayed alongside his crib.

The Diamonds have lived in Saratoga since 1989, and in step with the town's style, they ride
only Tennessee walking horses, "the Rolls Royce of horses."

"When you ride these horses you don't bounce," Bob Diamond explained. "They pick their feet off the ground and place them."

This last season, which ended in September, every member of the Diamond family, except young Tyler, won a world title. Bob Diamond won three world titles, Patti Diamond won two, and in her division Ashley and her horse Black Jack took sixth in the world.

"Three is quite early to start them, but she loves horses so we thought we'd try it out," said Patti Diamond.

"It brought tears to my eyes; it still does," said Bob Diamond of his daughter's win.

Competitions will begin again next March, but in the meantime, Bob and Patti Diamond will pursue their careers. Patti owns the fashion boutique Exclusively Yours on Big Basin Way, and Bob's real estate investment office sits on the second floor of the same building. During the off-season, the Diamonds focus more on their work, but the horse-lovers always fit in some riding, too.

"On our off-season we take the horses down to the Monterey beach for enjoyment," said Bob Diamond.

"It's a lot to do," Patti said of balancing work, riding and parenting. "But I have really good people working for me. When my business needs me, I'm there. When the horses are showing, I'm showing, and I always have my kids participate."