2024 Newsletter

Hi Friend,

         Work to Ride is a sanctuary, where Philadelphia youth can come to be safe and begin building their lives based on their own choices instead of their circumstances. Students develop discipline, responsibility, life skills, and build community.  Participation teaches youth that combining hard work and supportive relationships leads to success. Here is a more in depth look at the exciting year we have had thanks to your continued support.

Construction Updates of McCausland Arena & Chamounix Equestrian Center

Since 1994, Work to Ride (WTR) has created a haven away from the poverty inflicted on much of Philadelphia’s youth. Chamounix Equestrian Center is the home away from home for our youth and alumni.  Even with limited resources, hundreds of kids from the surrounding communities have grown up at Chamounix, learning lasting life skills and creating a better future, using horses as a vehicle to get there. Our dream and goal is to make room for thousands more of these life-changing stories.

For the past few years, WTR has been campaigning to raise funds to make long overdue updates to the existing barn and build a brand new, state-of-the-art indoor riding arena. With these upgrades to the current facility, we will be able to sustain programming throughout the year, even during the coldest winter days.

The dream is truly becoming a reality! Construction of the McCausland arena began in earnest in July and is moving along rapidly. Stormwater runoff and retention pond excavation is complete, the foundation has been poured, and the massive steel skeleton is erected giving physical shape to the vision we've all been working toward. Watching the structure rise is a thrilling moment for everyone at Chamounix Equestrian Center, as it brings us closer to the day when we can open the doors to this incredible new facility in 2025.

The McCausland arena will serve as a cornerstone for our mission to empower inner-city youth through equestrian and educational opportunities. It will provide a safe, all-weather space where riders can train and thrive, regardless of outside conditions. With expanded capacity, we can accommodate more participants and continue positively impacting our community for years.

A heartfelt thank you to our partners: INTECH Construction, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Becker & Frondorf, Archer & Buchanan, and Site Engineers. This is not just a building, but the fulfillment of a shared dream that will help us continue making a lasting impact. We sincerely thank everyone who is making our dream a reality.

If you would like to contribute to the Capital Campaign, you can do so here.

Welcome Kareem Rosser, Work To Ride Class of  2011, to the Work to Ride team in his new full-time role as Executive Vice President! Kareem brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our mission as we continue to grow and evolve.

 The 2024 Philadelphia Polo Classic        

On a picturesque Saturday in September in Fairmount Park, the 2024 Philadelphia Polo Classic brought together polo enthusiasts, families, and supporters of Work to Ride for an unforgettable celebration of sport, community, and purpose. The event not only showcased the exhilarating sport of polo but also highlighted the inspiring mission of Work to Ride to provide equestrian opportunities for underserved youth.

Thrilling Matches and Memorable Moments
The day kicked off with a spirited match between Johnson & Johnson and Goshen Hill, where the players kept the crowd on edge until the final chukker. The match concluded in a nail-biting tie, with Julian Penados earning the well-deserved MVP title. Zima, a standout pony owned by Kathy Fowser, was recognized as the Buckeye Best Playing Pony.

The feature match between Mt. Gordon Farm and Mars Equestrian took the excitement to new heights. Spectators were treated to an electrifying comeback victory by Mt. Gordon Farm, powered by Work to Ride alum Daymar Rosser. Daymar’s exceptional performance earned him both MVP honors and Best Playing Pony with his mount, Nasa. In a heartwarming gesture, Nasa was generously donated to the Work to Ride polo pony herd by Grand Champions Polo Club and the Ganzi family, symbolizing a commitment to the program’s continued success.

Sixteen Work to Ride youth and alumni participated across the two matches, showcasing their remarkable talent and teamwork, which are at the heart of the program’s impact.

Family Fun and Community Spirit
The event buzzed with activities for all ages. Lively halftime shows and contests such as the best hat competition, pony stick races, and the beloved doggie divot stomp brought smiles and laughter to attendees. Guests enjoyed a vibrant marketplace, delicious food and beverages from Tito’s, 2SP Brewing, and Harvest Ridge Winery, and plenty of opportunities to connect with the Work to Ride community.

Supporting a Greater Cause
The Philadelphia Polo Classic is not just an event—it’s a movement. As an annual fundraiser, it supports Work to Ride’s operations and amplifies awareness of its mission to foster accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the equestrian world. This year’s Classic was a testament to the power of community in driving meaningful change, with every dollar raised contributing to opportunities for underserved youth.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this year for a day of fun, unity, and excitement. Together, we’re making strides toward a more inclusive equestrian future.

Work to Ride Programming

Last spring, two of our interscholastic polo teams participated in Pre-Regionals at Garrison Forest. Although they did not advance to Regionals, the event was a rewarding experience filled with team-building, new friendships, and unforgettable memories. Our students embraced the challenge, showcasing their growth and determination. Meanwhile, our alumni continue to make us proud on and off the field. Shariah Harris, WTR Class of 2016, made history as the first Black woman to compete in the U.S. Women’s Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida. Sponsored by Grand Champions Polo Club, her team reached the semifinals, further solidifying her legacy in the sport. Mosiah Gravesande, WTR Class of 2023, and his University of North Texas teammates claimed victory in the United States Polo Association National Intercollegiate Polo Tournament, demonstrating how lessons learned through Work to Ride lead to remarkable achievements.

This year, we also partnered with Northwestern Stables and Pastured Place for the 2024 Retired Racehorse Project in Lexington, KY. Marc Harley and Bella Parrillo trained Sconce, a five-year-old Thoroughbred, for both polo and jumper competitions, earning first and second-place team finishes in their events. Sconce impressed us so much that she has now joined our herd at Chamounix, where she will continue inspiring and teaching our students. Alongside these successes, Tajee, one of our rising stars, competed in his first Philadelphia Polo Classic and has been stepping up as a leader on his team. He also attended an elite hunter-jumper camp with Olympic equestrians Bruce Davidson and Boyd Martin, pushing his limits and striving for excellence.

These milestones, whether through competition, alumni mentorship, or innovative partnerships, showcase the transformative power of equestrian sports. Thanks to the incredible community behind Work to Ride, we continue to provide life-changing opportunities for our students, helping them discover their potential and build a brighter future.

WTR was showcased in publications like the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly Mag, and CBS, and highlighted on HBO’s ‘Real Sports’ with Bryan Gumbal. To learn more about Work to Ride, all stories are highlighted on the Media + News page of our website, www.worktoride.net.

In Loving Memory

This year, we said goodbye to some beloved seniors—Tango (28), Missy (30+), Zoe (27), and Jordan (32). These gentle souls taught thousands of lessons and gave more than we could ever measure. We miss them deeply.

Thank you for being an integral part of the Work to Ride family and for believing in the potential of our youth. No donation is too large or too small; every dollar plays a vital role in turning our dreams, as well as the dreams of our students, into reality.

Let's make the next year even more incredible, together.

Work to Ride
98 Chamounix Drive,  | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19131
Question? Email us at wtr@worktoride.net or call (215) 877-4419

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