A Queensland man who rode his horse into anti-Adani protesters has been charged after a woman was knocked over by the galloping animal.

The 41-year-old man is accused of dangerous operation of a vehicle – namely, the horse – causing grievous bodily harm to a 61-year-old mine protester in the town of Clermont on Sunday.

The woman suffered serious injuries when the horse hit her as the rider tried to flee the Clermont Showgrounds.

The so-called Anti-Adani Convoy, made up of opponents of Adani’s contentious coal mine, had gathered in Clermont to listen to live music when the rider disrupted the concert, galloping his horse around the stage and waving his hat in the air.

The horse knocked over the woman as the rider headed for a gate and then rode off into nearby bushland.

She immediately fell to the ground, and police have described her injuries as serious.

The man was arrested a short time later. He also faces charges of common assault, trespass and obstructing police and will front the Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday.

The woman is being treated in the Mackay hospital.

The Stop Adani protest generated tense scenes in Clermont on the weekend, with many residents joining counter-protests, saying they want the jobs the project will generate.

Some businesses, including the town’s three pubs, refused to serve protesters who arrived as part of a Stop Adani convoy led by former Greens leader Bob Brown.

One hotel displayed a sign that read: “go home and turn off your power and walk”.

Another sign read: “Mr Brown and ‘Stop Adani’ protesters, you may have travelled far and wide but you won’t get food inside”.

Mr Brown said the woman who was injured was a warm-hearted human being, who’d been subjected to a senseless attack.

“She was here to help secure Australia’s future from the Adani coal mine. She has more than 300 well-wishers still in Clermont, with fingers crossed for her speedy recovery,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

Watch the alleged horseman below:

-with AAP