Rex Church, of Otorohanga, was named New Zealand all-around rodeo champion on Saturday after competing in four of the seven categories at the two-day national rodeo finals in Lawrence.
Thousands converged on Lawrence over the weekend for the national rodeo finals to see riders pit themselves against animals and the clock.
The Wairere South Romney National Finals Rodeo featured the top eight in seven events.
Scores were averaged across three rounds and prize money added to cash already won to decide the national titles.
About 3500 people crowded along the embankment and under marquees as the second and final day began on Saturday.
The second go-round (but first of the day) began at noon, with a light-hearted crowd basking in the autumn sun, before rain showers at 3pm scared off the less hardy.
Local saddle bronc favourite Simon Roughan came into the competition ranked first nationally but could finish only third overall. Roughan said he had trouble with his stock, having two re-rides, and was disqualified from the second go-round after he lost his stirrup.
"It was tough competition out there with other riders. Ramoan [Neho, the saddle bronc champion] has picked it [saddle bronc] up really quickly - a lot faster than most." Lawrence Rodeo Club president Ross Lyders said the event went well despite a "wee bit of rain" at the finish, with the arena staying safe and not too muddy. "It's humbling to be president of a club with so many willing members. Sponsors have been absolutely fantastic with their support of the event." St John staff attended to seven injuries over the two days of the rodeo, comprising dislocated shoulders, concussions, a fractured wrist (non-competitor) and soft-tissue injuries.
Senior Constable Robert Wallace, of Lawrence, said the crowd was well behaved, with no arrests made at the event.
Results. -
• National champions (based on rodeo season winnings): Bareback: Joe Fentiman (Clarks Junction) $7156; rope and tie: Patrick McCarthy (Rakaia) $6215; saddle bronc: Ramoan Neho (Kaitaia) $6066; barrel race: Angie Perkins (Wanaka) $7396; steer wrestling: Hayden Church (National Park) $5545; team roping: Mark Stewart (Darfield) and Mike Sanderson (Middlemarch) $4700; bull ride: Jono Reed (Culverden) $5202.
• Average results (from three go-rounds at national finals): Bareback: Rex Church 213/3, 1; Joe Fentiman 211/3, 2; Scott Graham 150/2, 3; Cameron MacDonald 62/1, 4. Rope and tie: Patrick McCarthy 34.79 seconds/3, 1; Anthony Perkins 36.81/3, 2; Aaron Church (Sen) 45.04/3, 3; Clayton Potts 46.24/3, 4.
• Saddle bronc: Ramoan Neho 207/3, 1; Paul Robinson 149/2, 2; Corey Church 136/2, 3; Simon Roughan 130/2, 4. Barrel race: Kate Fisher 49.077 seconds, 1; Henrietta Purvis 49.395, 2; Melanie Church 49.483, 3; Abby Hutchinson 49.802, 4. Steer wrestling: Hayden Church 15.435 seconds/3, 1; Stacey Atkinson 13.43/2, 2; Greg Lamb 13.98/2, 3; Chris Hood, 16.685/2, 4. Team roping: Mark Stewart and Mike Sanderson 35.625 seconds/3, 1; Rex Church and Dean Church 34.605/2, 2; Patrick McCarthy and Shane Cooper 7.76/1, 3; Ken Dromgool and Miro Parsonson 15.17/1, 4. Bull ride: Johnson Davis 145/2, 1; Paddy Church 140/2, 2; Darryn Bird 87/1, 3; Jono Reed 81/1, 4.
