Bull rider airlifted to hospital after fall at Paeroa rodeo

Brent Gallagher has been injured in a bull riding incident. Photo is file pic.

A professional bull rider has dislocated a hip after a fall during a weekend rodeo. Top cowboy Brent Gallagher was one of the stars at the "Battle of the Bulls" rodeo in Paeroa on Saturday.

But during an open section ride on bull Pistol Whip in the early afternoon, the Gisborne shepherd was bucked off.

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust was called just before 2pm. They flew Gallagher, in his 20s, to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.

The NZ Rodeo Cowboys Association has a provident fund set up to give injured cowboys financial support.