That's gotta hurt ...

Daryl Church was treated after being pounded by Jet Black but got up to ride again at the Wanaka Rodeo. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Rotorua bull rider Daryl Church showed true grit to pick himself up from the dirt and ride his second bull of the day, minutes after he was crushed and trampled beneath Jet Black at the Wanaka Rodeo yesterday.

The 2006 New Zealand Rodeo Bull Riding champion walked away from the bruising encounter and returned to ride Lucifer with an injured knee, after the judges offered him a second chance.

But the nuggety cowboy was unable to complete his second ride and, despite his lucky first-up escape, was cursing his lost opportunities afterwards.

"I didn't come all the way down here to fall off no bull," he said as he received treatment from a paramedic.

"You don't win nothing for having a bull fall on top of you either.

"There's no money in that at the rodeo," Church said.

While he may have limped away with no money, Church certainly won the crowd's respect and that of his fellowbull riders who took their turn to shake his hand after his efforts.

The crowd favourite received two standing ovations after his first ride and another when he was thrown from his second bull, before he limped unaided to the medical tent.