Apr 29, 2025
The United States Polo Association (USPA) and Work to Ride are pleased to announce that the USPA has awarded a $1 million grant to Work to Ride (WTR), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to equine sports and education based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The funding will support the completion of a new 45,000-square-foot indoor riding facility, the McCausland Arena, at the Chamounix Equestrian Center, located just 10 minutes from Center City and home to the WTR program. The grant is specifically aimed at aiding in the completion of the new facility (Phase 1), further enabling WTR to provide year-round programming and services for the first time in 30 years.
Additionally, the project will benefit Philadelphia’s community and the greater Philadelphia area, with a continued focus on targeting youth in surrounding neighborhoods with high concentrations of under-resourced families through after-school programming featuring equestrian programs, polo training and equine education. While the USPA grant is dedicated to Phase 1, the broader project also encompasses the future refurbishment of the existing 50-year-old equestrian center and stable (Phase 2). This phase will create a safe, functional, and welcoming space for youth and horses, with plans to include new windows, roofing, and updated learning areas and bathrooms.
“I am beyond thrilled to announce this partnership with the USPA, U.S. Polo Assn. and USPA Global. Both Work to Ride’s and The USPA’s interscholastic and intercollegiate programs have had a profound impact on my life, offering a rare opportunity to participate in a sport that has transformed my future. I’m especially excited about their meaningful contribution to our project and their ongoing commitment to making polo more accessible and inclusive for all.” – Executive Vice President of Work to Ride, Kareem Rosser
This partnership with USPA, U.S. Polo Assn and USPA Global underscores a shared commitment to advancing the growth of polo, while simultaneously enhancing the visibility and impact of all involved parties. Additionally, providing a space for USPA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic programs, USPA events and other USPA activities, further fostering youth participation and strengthening the sport’s continued development.
“We are proud to support Work to Ride, an organization that has made a lasting impact on under-resourced urban youth through polo and other equine disciplines and education. This partnership strengthens our commitment to fostering the next generation of polo players, and providing them with valuable life skills.” – USPA Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, Chris Green
As part of this grant agreement between the USPA and Work to Ride, U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the USPA, will be the Official Apparel and Jersey Sponsor for Work to Ride. The multi-billion-dollar global sports brand will provide team jerseys, whites and polo gear bags for all Work to Ride program participants. U.S. Polo Assn. will also provide staff apparel for Work to Ride employees at the facility for events.
“U.S. Polo Assn. is thrilled to give our support to the Work to Ride Program, an organization that empowers youth through horsemanship, equine sports and education,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global, the company that manages and markets the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “Through this program we will not only support the community but also the next generation of polo players and their equine partners while deepening our authentic connection to the sport.”
Founded in 1994, Work to Ride is a community-based program that aids Philadelphia’s under-resourced youth through constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equine sports and education. The program is housed at Chamounix Equestrian Center, located in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. This setting provides a unique opportunity to bring Philadelphia’s youth in contact with animals and nature.
Work to Ride is designed as a long-term program for 8- to 18-year-old students who must commit to a minimum of one year of participation. Through participation in evidence-based programs, students are working early mornings and after school for the opportunity to acquire life skills such as responsibility, decision making, and leadership while they learn to ride horses and play polo. In the process, they learn that the life limitations they see around them in local neighborhoods may not have to be so limiting after all.
For 25 years, WTR has been a successful participant in the USPA’s Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Program. WTR participants and graduates have surpassed expectations, competing in and winning interscholastic and intercollegiate tournaments. To further strengthen this success, the planned building and renovations are essential for the expansion of programs and services, providing more young people with the opportunity to engage in this unique, urban equestrian community in the largest urban park in the United States and ensuring its sustainability for years to come.
Effective Date: Saturday, May 16, 2020
The suspension of USPA Tournaments and Events will be lifted for USPA Member Clubs in locales where hosting polo matches and tournaments is permitted under applicable state and local laws, executive orders and similar decrees. The USPA Member Clubs in these locales are encouraged to follow all such requirements of their state and local authorities with respect to polo operations. In addition, we also encourage all USPA Member Clubs to take the precautions recommended by the CDC. We are preparing a detailed list of best practices for USPA Member Clubs as they return to hosting USPA Tournaments and Events and plan to circulate these guidelines within the next week. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will notify you if we determine a different course of action is necessary.
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