PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Lezlie Hiner founded Work to Ride in 1994. It’s a nonprofit community-based prevention program that helps under-resourced urban youth through constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equestrian sports and education.
She’s always loved horses, and when it came time for a career change, she put that love and her degree in psychology to good use.
“I was aware of the Black cowboy culture here in Philadelphia. And I used to have a kid who used to hang around with me all the time, so I said, okay, this might be something,” Hiner said.
Hiner knew that exposing Philly youth to equestrian sports could help them stay on track to achieve their goals.
“I spent, you know, hours and hours and hours and hours at the barn with the horse in the 70s; I think it probably kept me out of trouble. So I thought, well, why wouldn't that, you know, work with kids, give them something to do after school, keep them out of trouble.”
The program has grown in success over the years, with many excelling in equestrian sports. In fact, a Work to Ride alum became the first Black woman to compete in the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championships last year.
“I feel really fortunate that I found this calling. I want kids to, you know, be able to find that passion too, and even if they don't stick with it for a lifetime, at least it will leave an impression upon them.”
In addition to horsemanship and life skills, Work to Ride emphasizes academic achievement and provides after school tutoring to help students maintain good grades to stay in the program. She says the youth appreciate the love and support.
“We are there for the life of the child. When he or she comes into the program when they're eight, seven years old, you know, we really want to keep them until they graduate high school and we become a family — and I think that's really important because as a family, we do stick together.”
During Black History Month, KYW Newsradio’s GameChangers honors individuals or organizations that have made a significant, positive impact in communities of color in the greater Philadelphia region. View the 2025 honorees here.