In a first for the Southland Police district, constable Ashleigh Smail will be attending the Upper Clutha A&P Show with her horse, Bentley.

Ashleigh, who is based with the Invercargill Police but has also operated out of Gore, said she will assist in the main arena on the Saturday (March 13) escorting winners, but she will also be very approachable throughout the day for anyone wanting to have a chat and give her 12-year-old hunter a pat.

Like the blue and yellow chequered police tractor at the Wanaka Show, Ashleigh and Bentley have come here for a positive experience, a low-key approachable way of showing a police presence in the rural community.

“We really value the opportunities we get to positively engage with our rural communities,” Ashleigh said, “and mounting up is the perfect conversation starter at events like this.” 

She says Bentley is a natural with the public. Wanaka is his second A&P Show appearance; he attended the Gore A&P Show last year.

“Bentley is a real people magnet. He’s a bit of a cool character… and loves the public attention.”

Ashleigh said Bentley, whom she has owned for six years, is not an official police horse but will be kitted out in New Zealand Police colours. Unlike many police forces around the world, the New Zealand Police no longer has a formal mounted unit.

While mounted police are a somewhat rare sight in New Zealand, recently retired sergeant Kate Pirovano of the Queenstown Police was known to ride around Arrowtown with her horse Slide.

A sworn police officer since 2017, Ashleigh said the opportunity to combine her enthusiasm for horse riding and her police career “just sort of fell into place”.

“Being on horseback is a great way to break the ice and engage with people in a really positive way, and get some rural safety messages across.” 

She said she’s looking forward to what is sure to be an extremely popular show in Wanaka, and can’t wait to share some positive police conversations atop Bentley. 

PHOTO: Supplied