PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia woman is making history in Wellington, Florida, as the first Black woman to play in the prestigious U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship .
With birds chirping in the background, 25-year-old Shariah Harris beams with pride as she achieves this milestone during Black History Month. She’s been called a trailblazer, which she doesn’t take lightly.
“That is a role that, even if I didn’t ask for it, that’s what I’ve stepped into,” she said. “So if that creates opportunities for other women, other young people to do it, then that’s something that I have learned and am learning to embrace.”
Harris has been playing polo since she was 12. She was introduced to horses at the age of eight through Work To Ride , a Philly nonprofit that provides equestrian education and training to youth in under-resourced communities. Programs like Work to Ride, she says, are essential.
“I think it creates a big pool that only helps the sport. Without the program I definitely would not be around horses in this environment,” said Harris, whose team represents Work to Ride in the tournament.