PHILADELPHIA, Pa., September 20, 2024--Kareem Rosser was 8 years old when he discovered the Work To Ride program.
By Sharon Robb
Today the Executive Vice President of Work to Ride, author and polo champion, is counting the days when the state-of-the-art, 45,000 square foot McCausland Arena, with Phase I currently under construction, is finished.
"It's really hard to believe because I was a little boy running into pastures, running in the hayloft, jumping on top of horses, falling off horses, and dreaming about this," Rosser said during Media Day earlier this month.
"We do about 600 kids annually now," Rosser said. "Having this new facility is going to allow us to double that year-round. It's truly a home away from home for many kids."
On Saturday, a record crowd of more than 4,000 is expected for the third annual Philadelphia Polo Classic at historic Fairmount Park's Edgely Field. All proceeds benefit Work To Ride.
"I've been fortunate enough to play polo around the world," Rosser said. "I thought it was about time that we bring an event here to Philly. The first year of the Philadelphia Polo Classic, we had an incredible crowd show up. Honestly, I think it was the most diverse polo crowd I've ever seen."
Rosser will be joined by a star-studded lineup including Nic Roldan, one of the top players in the world; Jason Crowder, Daymar Rosser, Grant Ganzi, Melissa Ganzi and WTR alum Shariah Harris, the first black woman to compete in the prestigious U.S. Women's Open, and current players for the polo doubleheader at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Gates open 10 a.m.
In the featured match at 2 p.m., Mars Equestrian (Melissa Ganzi, Kareem Rosser, Nic Roldan, Brandon Rease) plays Mount Gordon (Shariah Harris, Jason Crowder, Grant Ganzi, Daymar Rosser).
At 11 a.m., the first polo match features Goshen Hill (Jordyn Floyd, Lisa Little, Tajee McLaughlin, Esteban Penados) and Johnson & Johnson (Sarah Martin, Marc Harley, Alyssa Perren, Kenzie Brinkley). Work To Ride alum and current players will take turns playing four chukkers.
"This year, our goal is to further expand the reach and impact of this incredible sport through our capital campaign, helping us prove that the sport of kings is accessible to all, regardless of background, and ensure that we continue to change lives through the opportunities we create for our Philadelphia youth," Rosser said.
In addition to polo, a full day of family-friendly activities are planned including an antique carriage parade, Amwell Valley Fox Hounds, Stick Pony Race for all ages, doggie divot stomp, hat contest and largest polo match wobble. There will be food vendors, merchandise tents and mascots. Party tents have been expanded and premium elevated seating has been added.
The inaugural Work To Ride fundraiser in 2022, not only attracted new diverse fans to the sport, but raised $1.1 million to help build the new arena and endowment to cover future operational program costs. The 2023 polo event was cancelled because of bad weather. About $11.3 million has been raised toward the $15 million project goal.
The non-profit Work To Ride program was founded by Lezlie Hiner at Fairmount Park's Chamounix Equestrian Center in 1994. The executive director's vision more than three decades ago was to empower young people through horsemanship, equine sports, and educational programs. She has attracted participants, ages eight to 18 from communities of concentrated poverty.
The new arena, which Hiner calls "a huge shining star for polo and the community," will enable Work To Ride to increase its' youth participation, expand programming year-round, build co-operative partnerships with local institutions and host local, regional and national polo matches.
"With each dollar raised, we’re not just building an arena, we’re constructing a foundation for education, life skills, and dreams that stretch far beyond the saddle," Hiner said.
In the inaugural Philadelphia Polo Classic, Goshen Hill (Melissa Ganzi, Shariah Harris, Daymar Rosser, Nacho Figueras) and Mount Gordon Farm (Mosiah Gravesande, Grant Ganzi, Kareem Rosser, Nic Roldan) played to an 8-8 tie. Work To Ride's Mosiah Gravesande, 17, a minus-one player, scored three goals and was Most Valuable Player.
Melissa Ganzi, Grand Champions Polo Club President and owner grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Penn's Hahnemann Medical College (now Drexel University). She co-chairs the committee to raise money and has played a vital role in helping to build the center and raising worldwide awareness for the sport.
All of Work To Ride's programs are free to the students. It's funded primarily by paid lessons offered from April to December, and through donations from the public. Students enrolled in the program work to maintain the stables and care for the horses in exchange for lessons in equine sports.
Tickets remain on sale. General admission is $50. Other ticket pages are still available (philadelphiapoloclassic.org).
If you can't be there, the games will be streamed by ChukkerTV (CTV Sports) with Dale Schwetz calling the action.
The fall season at Grand Champions gets underway Oct. 4-6 with the Fall Classic, one of six medium goal tournaments.
Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 102-acre polo facility in Wellington with 212 stalls in nine self-contained barns, two tracks, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and four polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and short work arena. The club has 11 well-manicured world-class fields at GCPC and Santa Rita.
Grand Champions Polo Club caters to men, women and youth polo players at all levels. Its' expert staff can customize a complete playing experience including horses, pros and certified umpires in addition to lessons and practice sessions as part of its' Polo On Demand program.
Comments