Shariah Harris grew up in Upper Darby, PA and learned how to ride horses and play polo through a program at Work to Ride in Philadelphia. Harris continued playing throughout college at Cornell University and in national and international professional tournaments.
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Shariah has spent the past few years breaking socioeconomic barriers in polo, inspiring the next generation, and achieving milestones both on and off the field.
Your sponsorship can help Shariah continue her mission. By becoming a sponsor, you’ll provide essential funding for training, travel, equipment, and outreach, empowering her to reach new heights and expand her impact.
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Polo, often referred to as “The Sport of Kings” is played on a large grass field measuring 300 yards long by 150 yards wide (nine American football fields would fit in one polo field!) Each team consists of 4 players and their horses. The game (or match-both terms are used) lasts about two hours and is divided into six 7-minute periods called chukkers (or Chukkas outside the U.S.).
The horses are referred to as ‘polo ponies’, even though they are full-sized horses, ranging from 14.2 to 16 hands high at the withers, and weigh 900–1100lbs. Most are Thoroughbreds or Thoroughbred crosses.
Each player brings 8-10 horses to the field per game, so there are anywhere from 70-84 horses present at any high-goal match-more when you include the 4 umpire horses (the two umpires on the field each change horses at half-time). Typically, players change horses in between chukkers, before that if the horse is fatigued.
Tournaments are assigned goal levels. In a 20-goal tournament for example, this means that the handicaps of the four players on each team add up to 20 (or below). This keeps teams competitive and even, but because player handicaps change from year to year, team members also change frequently.
A “throw-in” by an umpire puts the ball in play, and once a goal is scored, play changes direction so that no team has an unfair advantage (i.e. wind, sun, etc). There are rules about how play is conducted, and the umpires are there to regulate the play. Players must hold their mallets in their right hands. Goals can be scored at any height as long as the ball is between the two goal posts. A “flagger” standing behind the goal either waves a flag back and forth up in the air (this mean a goal has been scored), or the flagger waves the flag back and forth near the ground (which means the ball went over the back line outside of the goal mouth). The score at the end of the sixth chukker determines the winner. If tied, a seventh chukker will be played until either team scores a goal, at which point that team wins.
The highest level of polo played in the United States is 22-goal, and is played during February, March and April Wellington,Florida . Argentina is the mecca for polo and Buenos Aires hosts the highest level and most prestigious tournament in the world, the Argentine Open, a 40-goal tournament played during November and December of every year.
Upper Darby native and local nurse becomes first Black woman to compete in U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championships
The first African-American woman to play at the highest tier of US Polo
SILVER CUP® REVISITED: SHARIAH HARRIS AND KAREEM ROSSER REFLECT ON MAKING HISTORY
Shariah Harris makes history as first Black woman to play in US Open Women's Polo Championship
Work to Ride Success Story Shariah Harris Joins Cornell Class of 2020
This Teen Is The First Black Woman To Ride In U.S. Polo's Highest League
26-year-old Delco woman breaks barriers in Women's Polo
SHARIAH HARRIS: BIG RED BOUND
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Upcoming Events
March 10 - 29th
Don George/Long Dog Polo
vs. Work To Ride
Tuesday, March 11
1:30 PM
La Dolfina/Buena Vibra
vs. Work to Ride
Monday, March 17
12:30 PM
Victory Polo/Virginia Beach
vs. Work to Ride
Friday, March 21
12:30 PM
September:TBD
Past Events
Jan 29 - Feb 2
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Every purchase directly supports Shariah Harris as she continues to break barriers in the world of polo. Buying merch helps cover training, travel, and competition expenses—allowing her to pursue excellence in the sport. Thank you for being part of her journey!