Polocrosse Internship in Zimbabwe

During your stay you’ll be learn the following skills:

• General Horsemanship
• Developing your own Horsemanship language
• Stable Management in Africa
• Basic Veterinary Care
• Basic Horse Anatomy
• Polocrosse lessons and competitive play
• Showjumping novice horses
• Retraining and reschooling horses
• Tack fitment and care

Depending on the stage of each horse, the time of year and your riding ability, the following tasks will be done:

• Grooming and Feeding Horses
• Assisting with basic veterinary work
• Assisting the team where needed to clean stables/paddocks
• Offloading feed and grass when delivered
• Tack maintenance and cleaning
• Fitness training for the horses
• Schooling of youngsters and guest horses
• Riding lessons, including show jumping and pole work
• Trail riding among wildlife on safari
• Swimming on horseback in the dam (seasonal)
• Polocrosse stick and ball skills training
• Practice Chukkas
• Tactical play/rules of the game
• One-on-one coaching on your style of play
• Polocrosse practice at Country Club (Sundays)
• Assisting at the Healing with Horses Centre

Riders of all levels, aged 18 and above, can join the programme. Andy is enthusiastic about teaching less experienced riders, helping them build confidence both on the ground and in the saddle. However, less experienced riders may have some limitations when working with younger horses and might struggle with the fast pace of the sport. The riding style is a fusion of Western and English, making it adaptable for all riders. The focus is not on how you ride but on learning effective communication between horse and rider. Whether you’re an experienced rider or just starting out, there is plenty of work to be done with the horses.

This programme focuses on time in the saddle and is designed for those whose number one priority is to spend time adding value to horses. Besides re-educating thoroughbreds into a second career, Andy assists other horse owners with correcting vices and backing young horses. Training the horses in Polocrosse is his main method for ensuring a safe, obedient, mentally stable horse. You will have the chance to learn and play a fun and competitive sport which also provides a great social environment with other riders.

Polocrosse requires a good horse-rider bond, subtle horse-rider communication based on weight shift and neck reining, fast responses, alertness, good balance and athleticism from both horse and rider. These are all the things you will be working on every day with the horses and can start bringing it all together in the form of a game. You will be taught the basics of polocrosse, rules of the game, use of a stick and ball and tactics. As your skills grow you can have friendly games with others and join games on a Sunday at the country club polocrosse field just down the road.

The equestrian scene in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is vibrant and dynamic, with a strong emphasis on both polocrosse and showjumping. The city hosts several key events that attract riders and enthusiasts from across Zimbabwe and the neighbouring countries. You’ll get the chance to compete or go along as a spectator for a great day out. Should you wish to ride at competition level whilst interning, there will be some extra fees, but Andy and the team will assist with all the logistics. It’s a great way to put what you learn into practice and bond with your horse.

Andy Taylor has had a passion for horses his whole life. As a young adult he decided to pursue it as a career, training horses of all breeds and disciplines. He has worked with horses in Australia, the United Kingdom, Dubai and Zimbabwe. He has represented the UAE and Zimbabwe in polocrosse and continues to play the sport competitively.

His career highlights include backing polo horses for a polo breeder in England whilst working for low and high goal polo teams. He backed and trained Arabs for endurance and desert rides in Dubai under the personal request of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faisel Al Quasimi. Despite introducing polocrosse to the United Arab Emirates as well as a successful career there, the open horizons and warm winds of Africa called him home in 2011. Back in Zimbabwe Andy ran a busy 40 horse stron trail riding stable on a wildlife game reserve, training the horses whilst overseeing a breeding program, before going into retraining racehorses for polocrosse fulltime.

A four-hour trail ride will take you to the Free to be Wild Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can ride alongside giraffes, zebra, and kudu. This is part of the thoroughbreds’ desensitising programme before they head to wilder areas. During your time, you’ll have the chance to go to the Matopos for a 3-night horse safari. The wildlife reserve has large herds of wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, and many antelope species. This is a great opportunity to ride alongside unique African wildlife, and you can choose to do other activities in the reserve, such as guided walking safaris to see rhinos, cave painting tours, game drives and visits to World’s View. These are at an additional cost, and there may be the opportunity to upgrade to rooms at the lodge if you prefer that to camping. If you stay longer than 3 weeks, there may be opportunities to go back to the Matopos with newer volunteers – this is encouraged, but it will be at an extra cost.

You will have an opportunity to assist at the Healing with Horses Centre, which focuses on rehabilitating physically and mentally disabled children through interaction with horses. This centre uses equine therapy to help improve the children’s physical abilities, coordination, and emotional well-being. As a volunteer, you’ll support therapeutic sessions, ensuring the safety and comfort of the children and horses. It’s a rewarding experience that significantly impacts the lives of the children and their families. While this isn’t mandatory, it’s encouraged and is often a highlight for interns.

MATOBO NATIONAL PARK

Just 45 minutes away, you’ll find Matobo National Park, a World Heritage Site and wildlife haven. The park is famous for its dramatic granite hills and balancing rock formations, locally known as kopjes. These ancient formations date back over two billion years, providing a striking backdrop for a horseback camping safari (included in the programme). Besides riding, you can enjoy a range of activities, including game drives, walking with rhinos, hiking, and guided tours of the rock art sites. Should you wish to visit the Motopos more than once during your stay, this can easily be arranged (at extra cost)

VICTORIA FALLS

Those who want to spend more time in Zimbabwe can visit Victoria Falls, one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. Known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” or “The Smoke that Thunders”, this majestic waterfall spans approximately 1,700 metres wide and plunges over 100 metres into the Zambezi Gorge. Here, you can enjoy a variety of activities, including guided tours, helicopter flights, white-water rafting and bungee jumping. A five-day trip can be arranged for you, including a stop at Hwange National Park and the Wild Dog Centre. The cost depends on the number of people interested.

WILDLIFE ORPHANAGES

Within Bulawayo, visitors can explore two remarkable wildlife orphanages: Free to Be Wild and Chipangali. These sanctuaries are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured, orphaned, or abandoned animals. Both facilities provide a unique opportunity to learn about wildlife conservation and witness the incredible work being done to protect Zimbabwe’s wildlife species.