FAIRMOUNT PARK (WPVI) — In a few weeks, the third annual Philadelphia Polo Classic will be held again in Fairmount Park. It is a world-class event with equestrian and polo competitions.
The vision and passion for this comes from polo champion and philanthropist Kareem Rosser of West Philadelphia.
His mission is to make it a polo city and for him it is all a very personal matter.
Rosser gave Action News a first look at the groundbreaking ceremony at Fairmount Park for what will soon be a state-of-the-art polo facility – on the very same grounds where he learned to ride.
“It’s really hard to believe because I was a little boy running through pastures and haylofts, jumping on horses, falling off horses and dreaming about it,” Rosser says.
The teams are currently preparing the way for the future McCausland Arena.
“It’s a 45,000-square-foot indoor riding facility,” Rosser says. “We’ll be playing polo there. We’re really excited to officially bring polo to Philadelphia for the first time. We’ll be playing polo year-round, but at the same time we’ll be offering riding lessons at our summer camp. And more importantly, we’ll be able to play polo year-round while making it accessible to more kids here in Philadelphia.”
The arena will expand the city’s Work to Ride program, founded three decades ago by Lezlie Hiner to give youth in the city the opportunity to work with horses.
“I was an 8-year-old boy when I discovered this place,” says Rosser.
It changed his life.
“We currently treat around 600 children a year,” says Rosser. “With the new facility, we can double that number.”
In a few weeks, Rosser’s 3rd annual Philadelphia Polo Classic returns to Fairmount Park.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play polo all over the world,” he says. “I thought it was time to bring an event here to Philly. The first year of the Philadelphia Polo Classic, we had an incredible crowd. I honestly think it was the most diverse polo crowd I’ve ever seen.”
More than 4,000 spectators are expected on September 21st.
“100% of the proceeds will go to charity,” he says, to finance the construction of the arena, which costs $13 million.
For more information about the 3rd Annual Philadelphia Polo Classic, visit PhiladelphiaPoloClassic.org.
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