About Us

Founded in 1994. Work to Ride (WTR) is a 501 c3, nonprofit community-based prevention program that aids under-resourced urban youth through constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equine sports and education. The program is housed at Chamounix Equestrian Center, located in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. This setting provides a unique opportunity to bring urban youth in contact with animals and nature.

Work to Ride is designed as long-term program for 8 to 18 year-old students who must commit to a minimum of one year of participation. It is, however, expected that participants will choose to remain with the program through high school graduation. Work to Ride graduates receive help with college enrollment, and most also choose to return to Chamounix to mentor new participants.

Building Community – Expanding Horizons – Transforming Lives

Young people of ages 8 to 18 residing in communities of concentrated poverty in Philadelphia are learning to play polo – and so much more – through Work to Ride (WTR) at Chamounix Equestrian Center in Fairmount Park. Through participation in evidence-based programs, they 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. They are also learning that the life limitations they see all around them in their local neighborhoods may not have to be so limiting after all.

WTR Participants and graduates are surpassing expectations, competing in, and winning interscholastic and intercollegiate polo competitions. To build on this success, we need to build improved facilities and offer programs and services to enable more young people to participate in this unique, urban equestrian community. The WTR Board of Directors has launched a capital campaign to raise $15 million to support and sustain the WTR mission, construct a fully enclosed, multipurpose equestrian facility within Chamounix Equestrian Center, renovate the current stabling and pastures, and seed an endowment to ensure sustainable growth.

WTR Participants and graduates are surpassing expectations, competing in, and winning interscholastic and intercollegiate polo competitions. To build on this success, we need to build improved facilities and offer programs and services to enable more young people to participate in this unique, urban equestrian community. The WTR Board of Directors has launched a capital campaign to raise $12 million to support and sustain the WTR mission, construct a fully enclosed, multipurpose equestrian facility within Chamounix Equestrian Center, renovate the current stabling and pastures, and seed an endowment to ensure sustainable growth.

Continue Reading Full Case Statement

Current Facilities

Chamounix Equestrian Center (formely McCarthy Stables), was built in 1973 to house the mounted police force that patrolled the parks and streets of Philadelphia. In 1994, when Work to Ride took over the lease on the property; it had been adandoned for several years and needed repair. Over the years, several smaller repairs have been made, but much of the maintenance has been deferred due to budget limitations. Your support through the Capital Campaign will allow us to make the much-needed structural renovations and modernize our current facility!

Hay Loft

Hay Loft

Pasture Conditions

Pasture Conditions

Inside of Barn

Inside of Barn

Barn and Pasture

Barn and Pasture

Back of Barn

Back of Barn

Storage Room Inside of Barn

Storage Room Inside of Barn

The future is looking bright!

Take a look at the architect renderings of how the new indoor arena and barn renovations will look like when the projects are completed.

Designs by Archer and Buchanan.

Barn

Barn

Indoor Arena

Indoor Arena

Outdoor Arena

Outdoor Arena

Mezzanine Area

Mezzanine Area

Tie Area

Tie Area

Pasture #1

Pasture #1

Indoor Arena

Indoor Arena

Indoor Arena

Indoor Arena

Outdoor Arena

Outdoor Arena

How Can You Help?

Work to Ride Leaders are committed to raising $15 million to expand and improve Work to Ride
facilities and resources to extend the reach of programs and services to additional youth who
could benefit from the experience. The campaign components include:

$13 million for a new 44,000

square foot indoor riding

facility

$1 million for upgrades to

our existing facility and

expansion of our pastures

An additional $1 million to seed an

endowment to ensure the future

growth and sustainability of

Work to Ride.

We welcome

your gift of

any size!

We welcome

your gift of

any size!

$1 million for a capital

reserve to ensure the future

growth and sustainability of

Work to Ride.

While the size and layout of the barn will not change, the spaces inside will be improved and modernized to make it more functional for the participants, the staff, and especially the horses. We hope to expand the pastures from 3.5 to 5.5 acres that are secure for the safety of our horses and riders.

We are excited for donors to participate in realizing our goals and objectives of continual community services and sustaining effective youth programs. We encourage potential donors to contact the following individuals who are leading the fundraising efforts.

Donate Today

Below is a 360 image. Use your mouse to explore!

Naming Opportunities

Take the lead and create your legacy at Work to Ride. Naming opportunities offer a permanent and meaningful way in which to be recognized! There are several naming opportunities still available, please click the names on the right to view the rendering.

Contact Us
Naming Opportunities
Indoor Arena [SOLD] $3,000,000
Barn $2,000,000
Outdoor Arena $1,500,000
Mezzanine Area $1,000,000
Lounge Area $500,000
Tie Area $200,000
Pasture #1 $200,000
Pasture #2 $200,000
Wash Stall $150,000
Classroom #1 $150,000
Classroom #2 $150,000
Office #1 $100,000
Office #2 $100,000
Scoreboard [SOLD] $15,000
*Donor Wall Recognition $500

Meet the Work to Ride Fundraising Team

Work to Ride Board Member: Kareem Rosser

Email: Krosser@reathco.com Cell: 215-800-8550

Work to Ride Executive Director and Founder: Lezlie Hiner

Email: Lezlie@worktoride.net Office: 215-877-4419

Work to Ride Board Member and Advisor: Peter Rizzo

Email: rizzo.poloworks@gmail.com Office: 561-777-6448

Information available upon request: Krosser@reathco.com
– Business plan, annual budget and financial policies and procedures
– Full architectural rendering for the proposed facilities
– Work to Ride Board of Directors list

Transform a Life Today