A 15-year-old girl seriously injured after being thrown off her horse in the Awatere Valley on Saturday morning is in a satisfactory condition in hospital.

The girl was airlifted to Wellington Hospital by the capital-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Helicopter crewman Colin Larsen said the girl was complaining of leg and back injuries and severe abdominal pain.

She was treated by two onboard Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics before being flown to the hospital's emergency department, accompanied by her dad. Mr Larsen said the injuries were not as severe as originally appeared.

The girl was taking part in a pony club meet and her horse reared and threw her off, he said.

"Unfortunately it seems her foot got caught in the stirrup and the horse ended up rolling over her."

The incident occurred about 11am a few kilometres north-east of Altimarnoch.

This morning, hospital spokesman Michael Tull said the girl was in the children's ward in a satisfactory condition.

SOURCE: Marlborough Express