New Zealand bullriding champion Jonny Ward, who broke his back in a rodeo accident in March last year, has been seen back in the ring.
The Bay rodeo superstar's reappearance on the circuit, while still off work and receiving ACC weekly compensation, was brought to Hawke's Bay Today's attention.
When approached by
the paper, the Waipukurau man said horse riding was "part of my rehabilitation".
"My injuries mean I can't bend over or lift things, neither of which I do in team roping, so I don't see where there's a problem," he said.
It is understood the 30-year-old has received ACC payments since the 2008 accident, in which he broke his back after being thrown from a bull at New Plymouth's national finals. Five months later, he had surgery to fuse the affected area of his spine.
He had also been unable to continue working as stock manager for local farmer Peter Matthews.
Until last week he had continued to live in a cottage on the property. Mr Ward had worked on the Waipukurau farm since 2005, yet recently resigned.
Sources including the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys' Association website show he competed in the team-roping discipline in Southland last month and in Otago this month.
In both events, he finished in the top four out of 28 teams, earning his team a total of $349.
The champion explained he no longer rode "roughstock", meaning he did not compete in bull or bronco riding. Instead, until he was over his injury, he would take part only in rodeo's team-roping discipline.
"Given this, I can't see how I could be breaching my ACC agreement." He declined to comment further.
Hawke's Bay Today forwarded the photograph of Mr Ward competing to ACC corporate affairs manager Laurie Edwards.
"When concerns are raised with us we will look into the matter, establish the facts and take whatever action is necessary," he said. "That's what will happen in this case. We have been talking to Mr Ward about the alleged inconsistencies.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
