The name Church is synonymous with the New Zealand rodeo scene, but Corey Church was last night celebrating his first win in the National Rodeo Championships, held at Maungatapere.
Church, representing Rotorua, took out the competition after competing in three events on Saturday and four yesterday.
He was fourth in the saddle
bronc section and the rope and tie in front of a huge crowd at the Mid Northern Rodeo Centre.
It was the first time the national final had been held at Maungatapere where the crowd weren't shy about cheering cheered on the competitors.
"The crowd's been really good both days," Church said while relaxing with a beer and and being congratulated by other cowboys.
"You don't really hear them much though when you're out there. Once you're finished and the adrenalin stops pumping, then you can."
Church hasn't got much time to rest on his laurels, as it will be a quick turn-around for him and the other cowboys on the circuit.
Although the season ended yesterday with the national championships, the new season starts in two weeks with a round in Raetihi in the central North Island.
"There's another round at Raetihi, which will be good, and then another at Manfeild, near Feilding after that.
"Then there's nothing until Labour Weekend."
The two upcoming rounds were to coincide with several festivals in the same towns, Church said.
His win had motivated him to try for the title again next year.
"Yeah, bring it on. I just have to keep entering the events and performing." Local cowboy Buster Tauariki won the rope and tie from Rotorua's Charlie Halley.
Saddle bronc was taken out by Clarry Church, followed by Simon Roughan, of Lawrence, in Otago. The bareback went to Rex Church, of Otorohanga, from Outram's Rodney Ruxton. Taupo's Hayden Church won the steer wrestling from Rex Church.
The bullride winner was Josh Ropitini from Rotorua, with North Canterbury's Adam Jamison second. The team roping event was won by Scott Maybury and Nicole Sarginson of Darfield.
Patrick McCarthy and Neville Sarginson, of Christchurch, and Darfield were second.
The female-only barrel-racing was won by Elaine Gubb, of Taumaranui, from Napier's Lisa Tahau.
