Polo championship debuts at new McCausland Arena in Fairmount Park

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A dream more than 30 years in the making came to life with the inaugural Philadelphia Arena Polo Championship, held at the grand opening of the McCausland Arena in Fairmount Park.

The event marked a major milestone for Work to Ride, an equestrian program dedicated to horsemanship and youth development in Philadelphia. The new $15 million indoor facility offers a permanent home for the program, which previously operated outdoors.

"It's a big opportunity to come here and just experience this," said Jordyn Floid, captain of the junior varsity girls polo team.

Founded in 1994, Work to Ride has helped young people in the city find purpose through equestrian sports. Floid said the program has had a positive impact on her life.

"You don't want to be out on the street doing something bad when you can just come here and do good things like this," she said.

Executive Director Lezlie Heiner emphasized the importance of the program's location within Fairmount Park.

"We're fortunate within the city to have the largest park in the world, Fairmount Park," Heiner said. "And the fact that we're at a dead end and the fact that it's very quiet, very peaceful here-I think it has a very positive effect."

For decades, Work to Ride operated outdoors. The new indoor arena changes that.

"It changed a lot because we used to ride right there and it used to snow, it used to rain, and we'd still ride," Floid said.

Now, with the McCausland Arena, the program can expand its reach and operate year-round.

"It allows us to participate with kids all year round, we don't have to shut down for the winter," Heiner said. "Huge difference, and it also allows us to create more programs and serve more kids."

The opening of the arena and the championship event signal a new chapter for Work to Ride, one that organizers hope will bring even more opportunities to young riders across Philadelphia.