Chamounix Equestrian Center
Chamounix Stables is home to the nationally recognized Work to Ride program. 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.
In addition to the Work to Ride Program we also engage the community at large through various equestrian programs. We also offer Horseback Riding Lessons, Summer Camp, Discovery Days, and our Polo Program.
Work To Ride programs and activities are designed to explore new ways of engaging youth in significant educational, social and cultural experiences that are otherwise unavailable. The youth build relationships and develop problem-solving skills through spirited teamwork and cooperation.
Work to Ride is the only program of its kind in the U.S., providing underserved Philadelphia youth with free, full-access equestrian experiences. Your donation helps us continue this life-changing work—whether by supporting our building fund, funding summer camp scholarships, or empowering our riders year-round. Every contribution makes a difference. Donate today!
Chamounix Equestrian Program offers public riding lessons for both adults and children from April through December. Lessons are held rain or shine.
We offer nine, one week camps for horse loving kids from the ages to 7 to 13. Daily activities include equine education, fun and a great foundation in horseback riding and care. Campers learn about safety, teamwork, responsibility, animal husbandry, barn management, and animal behavior.
JOIN US IN
Forging Life-Long Change.
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 Stables located in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.
Work to Ride has achieved national recognition, including HBO Real Sports and featured in Sports Illustrated and various other regional, national and international media outlets.
REAL CHANGE
Stories of Hope.
My name is Kareem Rosser, and I am a graduate of the Work to Ride program. I grew up in West Philadelphia, in a neighborhood known as “The Bottom”, where going to jail or getting shot is just as likely for young men as high school graduation. One day while riding bicycles in Fairmount Park, my older brothers stumbled upon a run-down barn with horses. That day they met Work to Ride’s founder, Lezlie Hiner, who had spotted the boys and told them if they stayed in school, she would teach them how to ride. When I found out where my brothers had been going after school, I begged them to take me along! It was 2000 and…
Together, we can make a difference.
Changing lives, one rider at a time.
DONATE
DONATE
All manners of support benefit the WTR program, whether its stomping divots at the Philadelphia Polo Classic, contributing to our building fund, or supporting a child at summer camp will all help positively impact the lives of Philadelphia urban youth.
VOLUNTEER
VOLUNTEER
Help is appreciated at all levels for anyone over the age of 14. Many volunteers start off helping the staff with barn chores, and advance to feeding, grooming, leading and eventually assisting instructors with lessons.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
In 2019 Work to Ride leadership embarked on a Capital Campaign to expand and improve Work to Ride facilities and resources to extend the reach of program services to additional youth and the community at large.THERE’S NEVER BEEN
A TIME IN OUR HISTORY
QUITE LIKE THIS ONE.
In 2019 Work To Ride embarked upon a Facility Capital Campaign to raise the funding to expand it’s youth programming. Facility improvements include renovations to the existing stables, the Chamounix Equestrian Center, and a New Indoor Equestrian Arena.
March 5, 2020: Huge polo arena coming to Fairmount Park in expansion of Work to Ride program; “The new arena will be 45,000 square feet and, according to a presentation made to the Philadelphia Art Commission, will require no city or state funding.” — Source: WHYY, PBS Philadelphia
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