Gabriel Diano's passion for horses started early in life.  He was raised surrounded by horses in the breathtaking countryside of Uruguay. With guidance from his father Jorge Diano, and grandfather Brigido Diano, Gabriel bought his first horse in 1991.

Powered by Ms. Janet Henderson, organizer of equestrian sports in Uruguay, Gabriel began participating in various events including barrel racing, drum, polo, and reining. His passion was reining, and over time, the skill and techniques demonstrated by horses Diano trained began to garner attention.

By 2005, Gabriel had the opportunity to compete in Brazil riding Harmonico del Chamame.  This trip changed his life.  There he met and married his wife, Maria Ines, who shared his passion and appreciation for horses.  Together they made the decision to move to Porto Alegre.  This move placed him in the center of the growing Reining industry and offered many opportunities as a trainer and competitor.

In 2006 at both the ANCR Futurity and the AGCR Futurity Gabriel went home with impressive titles.  The following year had even more in store for Gabriel.  Setting records aboard Whiz Shady MA in the ANCR Super Stakes, they earned an unprecedented 76.5 points, walking away with two championships and one reserve championship.

2007 also brought Gabriel and Maria’s first child, a son, Ignacio.  Ignacio loves the horses and playing baseball.

In 2008, Gabriel made the trip to the USA to compete in the NRHA Derby where he rode Whiz Shady MA owned by Roberto Jose Ribas and returned home to Brazil with the Limited Open Derby Championship.  The subsequent spring, the pair won the NRBC Open 25k with a huge score of 230.5, besting the field by 3 points!  To finish out the week, they also won the Limited Open and the Intermediate Open ancillary classes at this prestigious event.  2010 was the year Gabriel’s riding and training abilities propelled him to fame in Brazil.  He won the Triple Crown - 3 shows, 3 championships, becoming the first trainer to accomplish such a feat.  In just 5 years of competition, Gabriel had earned his place in the record books, Top Rider, along with a series of unparalleled wins.

ANCR Futurity Reserve Open Champion

ANCR Futurity Limited Open Champion

ANCR Futurity reserve Limited Open Champion

AGCR Futurity Open Champion – High Score

AGCR Futurity Reserve Open Champion

AGCR Futurity 3rd Place

ANCR Super Stakes Open Champion

ANCR Super Stakes Limited Open Champion

ANCR Super Stakes Open 3rd Place

AGCR Super Stakes Open Champion

ANCR Derby Open Champion

ANCR Derby Limited Open Champion

2011 brought the decision to move to the USA to pursue his dream of riding and training alongside the best.  Gabriel set up his new training facility in Purcell, Oklahoma, in the heart of horse country, just minutes from Oklahoma City.  In 2012, a second son, Pedro, was born.

The year 2014 brought tremendous success for the trainer.  Aboard Wimpy Chic, he became the NRHA Open Futurity Reserve Champion as well as winning Championships in the Level 3 and Level 2.  Wimpy Chic, owned by Alpha Quarter Horses, of Purcell, Oklahoma, has earnings of over $176,000!

The family of four is proud to call Oklahoma and the USA home, never forgetting their roots in Uruguay and Brazil.