Top-ranked polo players hail from Philadelphia's inner city
U.S.International
Español
Arabic
.
Top-ranked polo players hail from Philadelphia's inner city
By Sarah Hoye, CNN
Philadelphia (CNN) - On a recent Friday night, Saddiq Myers is chasing his younger sisters, Sudaysah and Sihgerra, through a barn in West Philadelphia.Their giggles rise above the din of horseshoes clanking across a barn floor and the scrape of metal shovels scooping manure.
While most teens and tweens are kicking off the weekend at the mall or the movies, a group of friends gathers inside the stable, once home to mounted police horses.
Tucked away in the heart of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, the stable has become an urban oasis for at-risk youth hailing from the city’s most dangerous neighborhoods.
The tight-knit crew gets to ride horses in exchange for cleaning out stalls and brushing down horses through Work To Ride, a long-term prevention program for inner-city youth. The program is for kids starting at age seven all the way through high school graduation. It includes roughly 30 horses and 20 kids who all qualify as low-income.
Photos: Meet the players
Those with the top riding skills, and who are willing to step up their game, can learn to play polo, which the program first introduced to the youth in 1999.
“This is my second home, and I need to be here if I want to be something in life," said Kenshaun Walker, 15, who plays on the men’s team and is in his sixth year with the program. "This is my top way to get me out of Philadelphia.”
They scrimmage with college teams like Harvard, Cornell, UConn and the University of Virginia in warm-up games for the schools. They generally end up crushing their Ivy League opponents - like Harvard, which suffered a 20-3 defeat last year.
Last March, Work To Ride’s men’s high school polo team was the first all-black team to win the National Interscholastic Polo Championship. They defend their title Friday.
The players' success has attracted national media. They've been featured on HBO's “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” as well as ESPN and Sports Illustrated.
“With us, we really want it. Every time we step on the field we know our goal is to win,” said player Brandon Rease, 16. “It's a great feeling to know that you're on the top, and especially when you're one of the few at that level.”
Work To Ride executive director Lezlie Hiner opened the barn doors in 1994, vowing to put her degree in psychology and a fierce passion for horses to work. She hasn’t looked back since.
“I wrote down my dream job description and here I am,” she said, letting out a husky laugh.
Her goal is simple: transport the city’s disadvantaged youth from the confines of their neighborhoods to fields of dreams.
“It’s very rewarding to see the kids that really want to make a change and take advantage of what we have to offer," she said. "A lot of them could fall victim to whatever ills are out there in the neighborhood.”
No one knows that better than Sydney Rutledge, who plays on the women's team. Last year, while Hiner was dropping her off at home, she heard gunshots.
The stunned 14-year-old didn’t know if she should run or hide inside the car.
“The worst thing I ever saw was (that) man get shot in front of me,” she said. “That’s why I don’t like being around where I live.”
Philadelphia puts bounty on violent criminals
In addition to working with the horses, staff and volunteers provide after school tutoring and require students to maintain passing grades. The kids are taught to make good decisions in their lives and stay out of trouble.
Star players and brothers, Kareem and Daymar Rosser, whose mother stopped by the barn to visit with Hiner, are beating the odds.
“I love this program. It helps my kids out a whole lot,” Lezette Rosser said. "I don’t have to worry about them doing nothing stupid."
Near the back of the barn, Kenshaun Walker is busy wrapping up his chores around the stable. He said he isn’t interested in skipping school, doing drugs or drinking alcohol. He just wants to play polo.
"I don't care if I'm not rich. I don't care if my mother's single. I don't care what I don't have," he said. "I'm willing to do anything in life to make it to the pros in polo."
Not all the students stay. Some leave after losing interest, others turn to the streets and others become victims of gun violence.
Mecca Harris, a rising polo star, was gunned down in 2003 alongside her mother and her mother’s boyfriend before she could ride in the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. Her name is etched in concrete on the barn floor and a wooden memorial sign hangs on the door of the equipment room.
As a horse-drawn carriage pulled her white casket through the streets of West Philadelphia, her polo horse, Beuda, followed the procession, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Her death is a grim reminder of the culture of killing that surrounds these kids.
Despite the recent successes on the polo field and the media attention, Hiner still struggles with fundraising; the program costs an average $10,000 per student per year.
But just like the youth involved in the program, Hiner is not deterred by any obstacles standing in the way of success.
“People say, ‘Why do you keep trying?’" she said. "And I guess because you keep hoping the lightbulb will go on.”
About In America
What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.Send Feedback | Subscribe
Black in America
| Part of 
I was so happy to read this story. I lived in W. Philly not too far from Fairmount Park; if I didn't leave, I would have signed my son up for this program; however, I was fortunate enough to have the means to move back to my home state. As I began reading these posts, my joy soon turned to sadness. Y'all are some hateful and awful people; what is wrong with you folks? When you spew hate, it means that you hate yourself and in order to make yourself feel better, you must degrade others.
Congratulations to these fine players. They defended their championship crown and won again in the 2012 USPA Open National Interscholastic in Charlottesville, Va. on Macrh 11. The Philadelphia metropolitan area (tri-state) is very, very proud. CNN, please do the follow up story!
This is why there is NO HOPE for this world. Here this is a fine, uplifting article. Instead of appreciating it, people are fighting about race, etc. I'll be glad when it's over.
That is awesome!! Congrats to all....
I was born and raised in Philly only three blocks from Fairmount Park. It was, and still is a fabulous city park, the largest in the US I believe. What they are doing with those kids is incredible. I remember the horse stables, Smith's Playground, Strawberry Mansion. I'm glad a few things are not changed.
BROTHERS CAN BE BETTER THAN WHITES AT POLO , WHY ?? IN POLO YOU HAVE TO BE TALL–LONG ARMS--BROTHERS HAVE THOSE QUALITIES...THEY JUST NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT...SWIMMING IS ONE OF THE FEW SPORTS WHITES ARE BETTER..
That is HUGE BOGUS! Stereotype to the bone! The mind is what controls every facet of the human body and it has only one color...I have seen people do amazing things regardless of race... WAKE UP DUDE!!
Exactly what do you mean by "brothers?" I am an only child so I guess that is why I can't think through you stupid rambling. I happen to be an expert and competetive sailor.In all my races I don't recall a single "brother" competing against me. I guess they were too busy eating chitlins, ribs and watermelon.
Ignore the troll.
2 black kids ( 17 years old ) poured gasoline on a white kid ( 13 years old ) in Kansas City , Missouri.They made racist remarks while doing this.I wonder why this isn't on CNN. I wonder if the races were reversed, if the coverage would be a little different. I wonder why CNN chose to report a polo story instead of a kid getting lit on fire.Does CNN have an agenda ? Hmmmm.I wonder.
It was already on CNN dummy.
You really believe that crap don't you? Do you know how many instances of violence go unreported in the news? Staggering amounts of data don't make it into the news but I will challenge you here on this...Black on Black crime is the higher percentage of violence not Black on White and it can be proven if you care to do the math!!
Hey Steve, another thing you can do to calm your wife is to remind her that black people invented the air conditioner....but we go to the moon.The moon !! You guys cool rooms.See the difference ?
But you noticed that CNN did not carry the story out of KCMO, about two black youths pouring gas onto a white youth, setting him on fire and then said --you deserve what you get, because you are white--
Watch out America we're taking over!
As a black man I urge you my black people, stop beating white people at everything they are good at. Many of them already hate us, don't make them resent us too. The mother of my 2 wonderful kids is a beautiful, thoughtful and strong white woman, the least racist person I know, and for some reason she is mad at me after reading this article. Remember brothers and sisters, life is about winning some and losing some, not winning all. Ok baby I wrote it now will you talk to me? Honey, love of my life...
Tell your wife to calm down.We own the stadiums you play your games in.We also create the majority of the jobs.Ever see a black man mow his lawn ? Me neither.Thank God for sports huh.
Wait, I'm Steve. And I don't know why everyone is so eager to turn this into a black vs. white thing because it isn't. These inner city children who happen to be black, have the horses and polo to save them from a short unhappy life of violence. At the Ivy league schools I can't imagine being on the Polo team is anything more than a way to show you're even more monied than the other trust fund kids in attendance.
Every day is black history month on CNN.I can't wait til they run the story about the 9 black kids from Memphis who are the greatest of all time at turning light switches on and off.
Come on you love stories about black kids doing crimes... Just pretend this is one of them. You'll be just fine.
before making a crack at this program, i encourage you to watch the ESPN piece...very moving, that this lady sacrifices to make sure these kids stay out of trouble and have some direction..one in particular has gained national attention in the polo community as one of the best...
Holy guacamole!!! Breaking news!!!! CNN has reported that 12 black kids in Harlem , NY are the best ever at opening doors.
Nice to see some good news coming from Philly these days. It's amazing what animals can teach us when we're smart enough to listen. On a TV program a few years back, a troubled young man had been sent to a ranch to work (instead of jail or juvie). One of the things he noted was how much the horse had been so patient with HIM. He found, in that horse, a friend and someone to care for other than himself. He smiled, laughed and seem to be very happy. Glad to see the Philadelphia kids have that chance, too.
Call me when they can play the toughest sport of all of them.Hockey.Love to see LeBron James do what he does....on skates.The end.
Not the first black American polo players, SGT LB Hawkins " Hawky" was both a military champion feathweight boxer and 4 goal polo player. He played on white teams and completed internationally. When he retired from the Army he spent all of his time at Fort Sam Houston B and S Club. He has many friends of all kinds and when he passed away in the 70s, his friends at the stables planned a full cavalry funeral and his graveside services was attended by crowds, inlcuding many Generals. a road at Ft Sam was named after him, but I wonder if anyone at the post remembers him now.
Have known lots of polo players and attended chukkers/matches in Santa Barbara and Pacific Palisades. Know this: The war in America is one of rich vs. poor, not white vs. black.
So true my friend, so true. Rich black people I know can't stand us and we are just as black has them. Yet the whites in our neighborhood would give their last shirt on their backs for us and so would we for them.
This quote from one of the young men involved says it all: "In my neighborhood and all of our neighborhoods, there's normal day-to-day violence, drug dealing and kids around a bunch of negativity. When you come to the barn or travel, all of that is washed away and you can be a kid."
Great program that teaches responsibility and work ethic while providing an outlet for at-risk youth. I love it! I am amazed at some of the comments people post on here though. Trolls do exist...lol. Well I guess everyone has to serve a purpose...I mean, I could use something to entertain me as I pause for a second at work – why not let the fools w/no life do it for free. The ignorance of people, even if they are "trolling" is laughable.
So the white man has to buy the horses. Great.
Sigh. Tired of all the class warfare BS.
O.K., we get it! White people $ uck at sports. Now you've really rubbed our noses in it. Congrats! What's next? Croquet?
I remember when we took a group from the Philadelphia Archdiocese for Lenten Day of Service and Justice to help along with kids from St. Gabe's at the stables. Praise God for the awesome ongoing work they are doing.
I love, love, love this story!!! Bravo to these kids, this wonderful women and good luck in the tournament!!!
Sage words from uncle spooge.
This is an amazing story, this woman is a hero, as are all of these kids. Follow the links to watch them in a match against an ivy college, and the college coaches comments about how good they were. These kids are tomorrows leaders and future. Truly inspiring. Proof that every kid, given the opportunity and some guidance can shine– let them have a chance to show their abilities, and they will exceed expectations and rise to the top!
I am impressed beyond words.
I know Philly and it is a tough atrocious place in spots– the bottom being among them.
I was also fortunate enough to also have the opportunity to work with horses through the good will of people – It taught me responsibiiity more then if I had a house pet. I learned to be physically and mentally tough and move past failure (falling off). I also learned compassion for others, good manners, and that, as a girl, I could be physically strong and healthy.
pretty cool, lets send them to England and bring the trophy to the US.......
Great story ..... glad to see them get a shot at something outside the city. Hope they win.
Any American should be free to excel in any sport. Racism is backward thinking. I feel sorry for petty small-minded bigots.
BAD WEEK FOR STEREOTYPES. 1st a white woman on welfare winning the lotto but wants to remain on welfare and now inner city black children playing polo while keeping good grades.
Yeah and a gay man calling himself PETERPAN
Naah. You're not worth the time.
As someone who grew up riding horses and working in the horse barn, I think this is an amazing program! The responsiblity and work ethic that these kids are learning are life skills that will help them to better futures. Giving them a constructive and safe way to spend time is invaluable in a community that is dangerous. This sport is also about creating a bond with your horse (which some of these probably have issues with trusting because of their situations) and learning how to work as a team which is one of the number one questions asked at job interviews ("Do you work well with a team?). All life skills that are useful and have nothing to do specifically with the game of polo or horses that can be learned from them.
This is great! How do we give to this group? Can you post an address and official name? Are they listed as charitable with the IRS (they should be)– which might encourage more giving.
http://worktoride.net/?page_id=28
The real problem with this country is that we don't have enough fathers involved in things. When I was a kid my dad and me did everything, EVERYTHING together. I wish this country was like it was in the good old days. I once heard story about a man who took his son fishing every weekend and then one weekend the son fell in the water and drowned because the man didn't know how to swim. I heard that because it happened to my brother an after that is when my dad and me got close. My dad was a wife beater but he treated me right. I was never lucky enough to have kids but I have 6 cats and we do lots of things together. Life really needs to be simple and it's good they're teaching dark kids to rude horses. We all need to get along and just lib our lives.
I think they should allow whites to play on their team.
Why?
Did they say they don't allow whites?
Michele, I don't know where you got that foolishness from but you should stop because you really sound stupid.
Great program. I donated. Its not like these kids are being pampered with riding priviliges. The program is calle "WORK to Ride". As a horse owner and rider, I can tell you that cleaning stalls, riding, and polo are hard work. And these kids are also expected to keep passing grades to stay in the program. Why would anyone have a problem with putting kids in an environment where they are asked to meet expectations, exposed to ahealthy environment where they learn the meaning of teamworks, and rewarded with the chance for a better life?
do the wiggle yea
Wow. I am amazed at the hate. Especially from the religious folks. What is wrong here.
kudos to these young men! so proud of them! wish them every success on the field and off! (any universities willing to offer them scholarships?)
Here is yet another great example of how horses are not just a companion/pet but "a vehicle of change". From Therapeutic riding to aid those who are injured, to improvement and enrichment programs for individuals who are getting re introduced to society or making a life for themselves while in a bad environment. Horses do so much than society gives them credit for. So glad there are programs out there for children like these to make a positive name for themselves and to give them an option from living the norm and conforming to bad life decisions. =]
All the more reason to make sure horse slaughter does not start up again.
There is going to an inner-city polo renaissance!
SueEllen your first man was Black Tell the truth cause we all knoe
I
I would never! My daughter married a black man and I haven't talked to her since the day she told me!
Why, you jealous? I bet you've "wondered" too. It's Ok to admit, everyone already knows,...
No not one bit I would never have relations with anyone other than my husband of 25 years!
@derp....HILARIOUS!
You are either a troll, or one of the most deranged people I have ever come across.
America in decline!
SueEllen is absolutely crazy and the biggest racist on these forums!
Agreed. Creepiest person I have ever come across on CNN and that is saying a lot. Certifiably nuts.
In America there are more white people living under the poverty level than Blacks and Hispanics combined. (US Census 2010) But you wont see that reported here because it doesn't fit CNN's Perennial Brown Victim narrative.
Race and Hispanic/Latino origin Census 2010 | Population
White | 196,817,552
Black or African American | 37,685,848
American Indian and Alaska Native | 2,247,098
Asian | 14,465,124
good, keep posting these numbers until you find out that you may have been wrong in a few years.
Although your numbers may be accurate, the method in which you explained your numbers is quite misleading. There are more whites in America, so of course their numbers will be higher. The main thing to focus on is the ratio. That means the percentage of the total. In that case, whites are not the highest "number".
I cannot believe the vileness that is springing forth from some people. I am a right wing republican catholic, and I am disgusted at the way some people make us look. Not all Christians, or republicans are the same as those that seem to open their mouths all the time.This program is doing a good thing giving these inner city kids, no matter what race or gender, a chance to do something good. These kids might now have a way to go to college, they will experience all different sorts of people. This is a way to bring people out of poverty, it gives them a chance they might not have had. It also teaches them responsibility and to believe in yourself. Taking care of a horse is no easy task. And the connection with your horse, if you are willing to make that connection, is just as powerful as any connection between people. To call people who support it bigots, and racist, and leftists shows how bigoted, and racist you are yourselves. I congratulate my home city for doing something good.
"I am a right wing republican catholic"
So you f cuk little boys.
Big deal.
We're not impressed.
get your mind out of the gutter and stay on topic
I'm not the one that brought up catholics.
Dooshebag
If all you've got to contribute to the discourse is crude name calling, then at least get the spelling correct. Being Catholic does not in way equate with your absurd accusation. I think we're all done with you.
Try spelling dooshebag correctly and see if it gets through the CNN filter dooshebag.
I'm not sure "vileness" is a word,, I'd go with "vitriol" instead,,,,,,I'm just sayin'
I believe it is....http://www.thefreedictionary.com/vileness.
But "sayin'" is appropriate? Loser. You could have just as easily put a g on the end of "sayin" but you had to be cool/sarcastic/whatever you thought you were. You are so hip and witty.
Don't mind the Trolls. It's an inspiring story about kids trying to do better with their lives, and they'll succeed in spite of the small group of tiny minds that don't want to see it happen.
Wow. What a wonderful story. Every child has potential; every child does not get the opportunity to attain their potential.
I remember understanding as a kid "but for the grace of God there go I". It's so easy to think "I deserve" this or that when really many of us are the product of others hard work and generosity.
I love stories like this. I love people who care/love enough to want to help out others.
God bless them all!
Us white folk can't even have one sport
that's so wrong!! but I can't stop laughing.
Curling?
Boo Hoo Hoo!
Polo originated in India....then copied by the Afghans, Turks, British,, Americans, Argentines, etc. etc. .....
sure you can, white folks have all the "un's". Fishun', huntun', dippun', screwun', drinkun', druggun', abusun',... you get the picture,...
A few of those uns belong to other races.
There is always motorsport.
Cool. Would like to see the story when the brothas buy the mansions, sail near Martha's Vineyard, and date girls named Buffy.
Why is this "front page"? There are important things going on in the world. This isn't one of them.
You are not reading a newspaper, you are online. Equally read the definition of news.
Oh, shut it, Jim. Go crawl back into your bunker.
Jim,
There really aren't more important things going on in the world unless you care about Mitt Romney and the ridiculousness of American politics. It's really moving to read a nice story like this every once in awhile. And the fact that you took the time to post your comment leads me to believe you read this story, so why chime in with the negativity? Unless you don't have a heart you can't say you weren't touched in some way, can you?
You mean important things like listening to crazy people say crazy things all day long (Republican candidates)?
Nice. Sounds like a great program.
Great program, but at a cost of $10,000/student/year, that is about the cost of private school tuition at the grammar level.. I can see how fundraising is a problem.
Wow. Racism really does exist.
captain obvious.
squeeze box
You born agains are such a fraud. Usually unethical immoral bs talkers who never practice what you preach. No wonder you are all going to hello.............................where in any of these comments do you see anything about a born again Christian? Well at least it give the N word a break that your type has a new bigotry.
SueEllen is a troll. Anyone too stupid to realize this that responds to her comments is almost as much of an idiot.
All this angst and pandering to appease Black People. Its hard to believe that they are only 12% of the population.
What is up with all of this: find me any "disadvantaged" (poor) people in this country and the same would well happen. Could it possibly be that CNN is biased?! Why aren't they carrying the story on FOX from President Obama's student days=please remember if you see this, he is not just "any common student", he is the PRESIDENT of the Harvard Law Review. Listen and research Mr. Bell, he was as bad a bigot as Adolf Hitler. Why not the same condemnation? I don't suppose the media looks the other way for BLACK BIGOTS==oh, I forgot, I guess they do: remember the BLACK PANTHERS harassing voters in 2008? ERIC HOLDER has done NOTHING! NOTHING!-imagine if the harassers were KKK= POINT IS ALL, ALL BIGOTS, WHITE AND BLACK MUST BE TREATED THE SAME!!!!!!!!!!!!
What an idiot.
Nice story. Glad to see kids who might otherwise fall into bad circles of people connect with something so positive and meaningful. I wish that I saw more of these stories!
Good for these kids! Ride 'em kids, be champs.
Good for them. I love to see folks break down barriers, and fight stereotypes. There will always be those that use hate to attempt the destruction of others, but the whole point of us being on this earth is to LIVE and move forward even through difficult times. Bravo.
Great idea for the kids. Gives them fresh air and enjoyment.
This niga wants a horse!!!!!!!
there aint no black cowboys – they dont even like to camp – even Okrah Winfree had a rough time.
You're wrong: http://blackcowboyassociation.org/blackcowboys/todaysheros.html
Just Google "African American cowboys" to find out lots more.
Ever heard of Cleo Hearn?
Sue Ellen,
You couldn't be more mistaken about black cowboys if you tried. There were black cowboys but I guess you were absent from school that day.
SueEllen, you won't weep because you are already knashing your teeth.
Too bad you can't buy one with your food stamps since you're probably spending them on menthol cigarettes.
Sue Ellen, once again you demonstrate your ignorance. Food stamps are, as the name implies, for food. They can not be used to purchase anything but food. That means booze, toilet paper, deodorant or anything that is not food. And guess what? That includes cigarettes or any tobacco product. They're for the purchase of food.
Lol right!
Sounds like you already HAD one or more. A happy middle finger to you and anyone unfortunate enough to know you.
I can't believe all the racist BS hate on these comments. This story is all positive and all everyone does is bring it down. Its a shame. Get a life and stop putting people down to make up for your own deficiencies. Misery loves company so you all must be miserable dregs. I feel sorry for a lot of you.
Get a job – you illegal wetback!
I have a job.... Always have, always will.
Jeff that is not the real SueEllen!
I agree. Nicely said Jeff.
This story brought a smile to my face. To bad it only brought out the hate and racism in others. To the kids in my hometown of Philly: keep reaching for the stars and you will continue to rise.
So how does it help these llittle black babies? A new way to ride to their drug deal? Teach em some job skills and get em off crack and welfare! Or send them back to Mexico!
You are one confused little racist. Get your thoughts together. Are they black or are they mexican? What article are you reading?
I'm so tired of the term "inner city" and "urban" as a synonym for black. Black isn't offensive, nor is white. I'll bet that most of the people living in the inner city of Philadelphia are white while the black neighborhoods are suburban. Also, if urban means black, then does white mean rural, and are mixed races suburban?
amen! ship em home !
"I'll bet that most of the people living in the inner city of Philadelphia are white while the black neighborhoods are suburban"
And you would lose that bet. Philly used to be white when my parents lived there. Now its black. The suburbs (where I live now) were farmland until the 60's. Now the burbs are developed and almost entirely white. A couple of the nicer city areas like Olde City and the Museum District are white. And the old white trash areas like Kensington and Fishtown are still fairly white, but the rest of the city is darker than a solar eclipse.
Philly is known as a "city of neighborhoods". It really depends what neighborhood you are in that determines the racial makeup of the area. The Bridesburg neighborhood is 92.9% white. West Oak Lane is 95.2% black. Fairhill is 80.6% Hispanic.
I'm an atheist and I say who cares? This is just affirmative action at work
Obviously u do buddy:) u pay taxes on some level that supports such programs &u read the blog &u commented:) ey, if more people like urself started to care, God prob smile even brighter:))) I mean, I'm jst say'n see'n as I really don't know...#Faith;)
yours is comin'. AA for Hell. I'd be more than happy to sign you up.
I live in philly, and anything to keep kids from doing/selling crack is ok by me. I've seen lots of people on horseback in Fairmount Park over the years and I always wondered why.
teach these welfare deadbeats to get jobs – not how to steal HORSES
dam strate niga
That's what you get from this story? That you should be worried about having your horses stolen by kids from inner-city philly?
How is a child a deadbeat? Did you get a questionare before you were born to whoever raised your sorry a$$? If anyone should be taught anything (although judging by your post this is an established impossibility) it is you. people who "make war on children" are the least respectable of our citizens. While I respect (a word who's meaning you need to look up) your first ammendment rights I in no way respect your lower than low life opinion.
You are a leftist liberal self hating bigot.
Why are we always praising these illegitimate black kids like they invented the wheel or something? Teach them a trade and let them earn praise when they accomplish something of value – like vote for an incompetent Obama Hussein?
Amen!
You born agains are such a fraud. Usually unethical immoral bs talkers who never practice what you preach. No wonder you are all going to hello.
@SueEllen
I don't know who Obama Hussein is... but when you hear about the US President Barack Hussein Obama, let me know. Those of us who have seen the many accomplishments of the African American community would like to point out a couple others to you.
Even if you are a troll, you have to learn to troll with some correct facts. Tell the KKK is said 'fall on a stick and die'. Thanks.
Let the Wookie win, R2.
To all the hateful people attacking me know that I pray for you and will miss you when I'm in our saviours kingdom and y'all aren't!
There is no heaven Sue Ellen, When you die, you're going right into the ground. Not anywhere else. I hate to watch "sinners" actually trick themselves into thinking they're going to this funny made up place called heaven. Yes heaven doesn't even get capitalized.
Hey, I'm just some dude at the library having a laugh riling up people by pretending to be a holier-than-thou bible thumper. Nothing else for a jobless schmuck to do on a Thursday afternoon!
Lmaaaooooo! Hence the evolution theory suzy el;) hope y'all enjoyed!:)
How dare you use my name to mock me
How dare ya moms have relations w all those other primates;)
I am better than everyone else! When I get to heaven me and my buddy Jesus are going to shoot lightning bolts at people like the Emperor in Return of the Jedi!
To the fake SueEllen I can't believe you are being that blasphemous. You need to repent and pray!
blas·phe·my/ˈblasfəmē/
Noun:
The act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God.
That's right folks, I'm GOD!
You're (I'm) right, I'm an idiot.
Hey people – Suzy Ellen and Jezuz are buds! Ya think she gives the old dead guy some good head? Heard she gave up her kitty to a jewish carpenter in the back seat of her Chevy!
Duder SueEllen does have a frien in Jesus and she is a whole heck of a lot better than you are. Just like SueEllen I pray for you!
Sue momma was a monkey hang'n on from a tree lookn down on all she wanted to be first came the fall then came the yell'n &when all the other lil monkeys were done then came Sue Ellennnnnnnnn yaayyyy! WE LOVE U SueEllen:)))
yes I LOVE EVOLUTION
Maybe if there was such a thing as evolution you would have evolved to be more civil. My biggest argument against evolution is that Mexicans should have evolved gills and flippers by now after spending so many years crossing the Rio Grande!
Sue u best to pray u evolve into a bulletproof bodysuit...lmaaooo! #viva_la_mexico!
Why should I pray for that?
Aint this suzu ellen that ho from Dallas? She loved to bank JR plus his horse! She such a tramp – playin on line with her good ol KKK boyz!
What's that story where Jesus tells you to be a huge racist? I forget.
Read about the mark of cain
yeah right, dress light.
Sue Ellen you are crazy! I don't know how you think you're going to make it into heaven with some of the hateful things that come out of your mouth! You should be ashamed for taking a nice story and making it all about race. Shame on you Sue Ellen you are one of the most hateful people on here!
Rhonda how dare you attack me like that! Let me guess you identify with these kids because you're on welfare and from the hood? I'm only saying that because of the comment "this niga wants a horse!!!!" that you left above. Get a job get off food stamps and find your way to the nearest church.
God Bless!
"Read about the mark of cain"
That is the mark I left behind when I donkey punched you.
I support you SueEllen! You sound like a good Christian woman and it's a shame others can't see it
Thanks Peter
I've been saying this for years. The more Jupiter strays from its orbit and the more the oligarchical muslim underground continues to subliminally influence our purchasing habits things like this are going to keep happening. The answers are out there you just have to read between the lines, use numerology as your key, and refrain from listening to the radio in your shower!
See a mental health professional at your earliest convenience.
THE Man.
Sue ellen quit being mean spirited and saying you are being christ like because you are not being like christ.
I am very Christlike Daniel can you say that about yourself?
Hence the meaning of Holy Shid.
A bloated walking zombie corpse? I imagine after 3 days his body began to bloat, and that would certainly put him well into zombie status. So if you want to spend eternity as an extra in The Walking Dead, be my guest. I'm going to enjoy my LIFE.
"It includes roughly 30 horses and 20 kids who all qualify as low-income." How does a horse qualify as low income??
Bob, you made me laugh. i read and read all this hate, hoping to find one person who would agree that their comments were too harsh, then i read about low income horses.
With a name like Sue Ellen I'm surprised you're judging names. Granted it sounds like you fit the sterotype of the imagery it invokes, aka ignorant trash.
Everyone needs to look beyond polo because this program is much more than that. It teaches these kids several like skills like responsibility, accountability and the merits of hard work. Skills that they certainly won't learn on the mean streets of Philly. And the horse environment gives them a safe haven to escape those streets and the thugs that walk them. Hey Bill and Melinda Gates, how about spending some of those billions on these kids instead of places like Africa. I truly hope there is a line of succession when executive director Lezlie Hiner leaves the program. My bet is that most of these kids will become proud and successful members of our society
Frank..you sound like you have sincere interest in this type of program succeeding, so I wont chastise you too much for your Gates comment. Just so you know, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation expenditures is greater domestically per year than it is internationally. Additionally, there is a Gates charter school in Fairmount Park not far from where the stables are located. Finally, as a scientist doing research in the malaria field tht gates large amounts of Gates funding, I can say that there are very few other diseases (or causes) on the planet that are of greater concern to global health. Almost 50% of the world population live in malaria endemic areas..200-500 million cases/year and up to 1 million deaths/year. I think the people of africa deserve a little help as well. just FYI.
Oh no! Not more bullshlt about sports "building character". If these kids play sports like other American kids do, they are just looking to find ways to win, cheating included. I have never witnessed the emergence of any laudable characteristics in any of the many sports events I have attended.
You can't force a horse to do anything. They weigh 1200 pounds, and as big as they are, they need a lot of care to keep them healthy enough to perform well. Learning how to get what you want without the possibility of force, as well as oh, so many other things, is just wonderful. Why don't you people mocking & criticizing go there and see for yourselves? What are YOU doing to give inner city kids a chance to learn that hard work gets you want you want. These kids WANT to do this. They don't have money, and they're learning that work = getting what you want. You should be proud of them and of this program.
Why go to an event then? Ignorence knows no bounds.
Bless her &those AWESOME kids for making the BEST of what such a life has to offer!:)
But you know what kind of people you can take out of the ghetto but who you can't take the ghetto out of
Sue, stop.
Sincerely,
WeThePeople
C'on Son I pray for you and your wicked ways
I pray for ur mom.
Real mature
I pray for the monkey that evolved to the point of having the eggs that eventually produced such a prayerful person such as urself:)
U really wanna keep this up? I'm off today:)
Timetostartlynchingracists.
Here we come, SueEllen.
C'on son you are a heathen monkey. I hope you repent and change your path away from the one you're on now. God knows about the immoral things youve done with other men and you should be ashamed!
No Uh, jst #pray:)
Sue, say it ain't so, ya moms a man??!!?? Now all the prayer in the world ain't gonna save us now:( I gots to go scrub my balls!
May god bless you I weep for you I really do. I also pray that these kids have the sense to change their names when they turn 18 to something more civilized sounding.
You can take the backward, in bred, re dneck, toothless, fat as sed, ignorant, hillbilly out of the trailer park, but....
Derp I am neither a r edneck or imbread. I hope you repent from the evil lifestyle im sure youre living right now. Pray to the lord that he saves your soul and the soul of all the other sinners in this wicked world.
God Bless!
Pardon me, I can hardly hear you.
" imbread"
Is that some kind of hillbilly baked good.
Derp I wish I could talk to you about the error of your ways and open you up to the light of the lord
Your mother? Shows.
...us that? Dnt start, jst continue:)
Oustanding!!!!!!
Why not teach real world skills. Horses are beautiful but they are super expensive and polo is a sport of the super wealthy because it takes that kind of money to afford it. How many professional polo players are there in the world? Don't professional polo players need to own multiple polo 'ponies' and be capable of actually training horses- not just riding. A poly pony is expensive and owning horses, especially of that caliber is even more expensive. Professional polo players tend to be the kids of the very very wealthy who have think nothing of spending 30K on a polo pony.
It's great to work with inner city kids but polo? Gimme a break. Like the world needs more polo players.
It's about becoming a professional polo player. It's about setting a very difficult goal for yourself and achieving it by your own very hard work, patience, and perseverance despite huge odds against you. THAT'S what these kids are learning.
Hey DoDo. Everything isn't acedemic. You have enough education to respond to blogs but not enough to know what you're responding to. This is why you probably will not understand exactly what you just wrote. as with any developing human, a well rounded set of experiences go a long ways towards making a fully functioning person for the 21st century. Even if you took no advantage of these kind of opprotunities, why deny your children (I pray God you don't have any) or any child a more well rounded experience? Rethink your ignorant post I suppose your friends and family can read. is this how you wished to be percieved?
I'm glad to see the 1%ers brats beaten at their own game.
I love this program. Have been reading about it for years. I wish them all the success in the world. What these young peole are learning is invaluable. "There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man." – Winston Churchill
How can they get on the horses with their jeans hanging off their a$$es
Are you really as shallow minded as you sound in real life?
the same way you fit your fat,red butt into whatever you drive, TROLL.
Hmmm... so there is an inner-city program that gets a few kids off the street at the cost of maintaining horses at who-knows-what expense. There's also "professional polo" as a future. Excuse me. This combination of absurdity and anachronism doesn't seem to have much human interest for me, because I'm not a horse person or a polo person. If your city wants it, by all means get it. Pass a horse tax and save some kids.
You don't get it. I know horses are dreadfully expensive, but they're living things and you have to treat them with kindness in order to get what you want from them. You have tofeed them, brush them, clean up after them, teach them, and talk nicely to them; useful skills for raising your own children later. It teaches you how to relate to others with empathy, not violence. It's worth the money just to save these kids from the violence and aggression they've been subjected to alll of their lives.
the program is privately funded through donations.
they also board, lease & sell horses.
no tax money is being spent on this.
I can certain understand why "human interest" stories would not interest you.
You don't seem to be any type of "person" at all. Rick Santorum appreciates your vote.
Sue Ellen( what a stupid name )
Their names have nothing to do to do with their accomplishments? People in many countries play Polo.It's not always a rich man's sport. Sweetie, you need to read a little more . Try the local library. You need to get out and try some new things. Try a resturant that serves food you have never had. Explore a part of the world that you have never seen.
In other words grow up you ignorant hillbilly.
Sue Ellen is like Billy Bob. A dumb, hateful, trailer trash, redneck name. Bend over and face New Jersey Sue Ellen. I happen to know the lady who runs this program in Philly. She is going to heaven and you are going straight to hell.
BROTHERS POLO CHAMPS ?? WOW
Thts right Marine, this is why we fight brother...Semper Fi
What corps did you serve in. your Gunny would be ashamed to have you on his six. Now that your out how does it feel to be able to say what you really without the fear of being fragged?
What is up with these children's names? These do not sound like good Christian names to me but what can you expect considering the source?
What do you consider a good Christian name - Mary, Martha, that sort of thing? You are showing your bigoted self here. This sounds like a great program for the kids.
Sue ellen is a jobless 'bot. Responding to it only emboldens it. It has no job by it's own admission so let's fire it again.
Sue.. I can only hope you get what you need.
... she needs a good smack.
Why would you be concerned with Christian names when your response was very un-Christian? You are taking it upon yourself to judge which according to your chosen God, is really his department. You might want to repent for that pronto.
I have nothing to repent for because my words are righteous. I pray for your and their souls!
John 3:16
"I pray for your and their souls!"
Is that what that sound was, I could barely hear it with my d ick so far down your throat.
Derp that was a revolting comment!
Huh?
Sorry, I can't hear you.
These kids don't have any choice as to what their names are until they're at least eighteen and living on their own. Don't judge them just because their parents aren't Christian.
Someone needs to be present when these parents try to give their kids these names!
"Someone needs to be present when these parents try to give their kids these names!"
Yes of course, that would likely prevent some poor child from ending up with two first names.
Derp I was named after my grandmother who was a good, pure, Christian woman. With a name like derp you must be foreign, crawled under the fence no doubt.
Sounds like your grandmother was you fathers sister.
suellen, its people like you with your close minded "christian" beliefs that are causing so much trouble in this country. Climb out from under that rock you're living under and step into the 21st century. You are not a christian if you are going to sit here and be judgmental about someones name. Oh, stop using "god" and "Christianity" as your excuse, you're giving them a bad name. Just because you can quote the bible, doesn't make you a good Christian.
I cant believe you people would attack me got speaking the truth! Shame on you all!
oh, and not to mention...there are some pretty serious stereotypes for people out there with two first names put together...like yourself. Just saying.
At least I use my name anonymous an it is a righteous Christian name and I will serve our lord in heaven and weep for you in the afterlife
I wish you many middle fingers in this life and the next.
You are the ugliest of the uglies.
Did you see the recent video of the nutty religious creep spewing her bs as the tornado bore down on her neighborhood? She reminds me of you. Super creepy.
I'm talkin to you Sue Ellen. Super creepy.
What is up with the stolen bikes behind the kennel?
*stable