PORTSMOUTH — When Kareem Rosser first encountered a horse at age 8, growing up in West Philadelphia, he could hardly have imagined where that introduction would take him.

Nearly three decades later, the former national polo champion and author was in Portsmouth, hoping to spark that same sense of possibility in a new generation.

Rosser recently visited Newport Polo’s Arena & Training Center, where he shared his unlikely journey from an inner-city neighborhood to the heights of collegiate polo, then helped introduce local students to the sport that changed his life.

The two-day program, organized by Newport Polo and FabNewport, brought together students and families from across Aquidneck Island.

Rosser’s introduction to polo came through Work to Ride, a Philadelphia nonprofit that introduces underserved youth to horses and equestrian sports.

Along with his brother and teammates, Rosser made history as a member of the first all-Black team to win the National Interscholastic Polo Championship, capturing consecutive titles in 2011 and 2012.

He later captained Colorado State University to the 2015 National Intercollegiate Championship.

Today, Rosser travels the country sharing his experiences and is the author of Crossing the Line, a memoir about overcoming obstacles and the people who helped him along the way.

The Portsmouth program began with Rosser speaking to students and their families against the backdrop of an autumn sunset.

The following day, Rosser joined Newport Polo interscholastic coach Minnie Keating and members of the club’s varsity team to lead a hands-on clinic, introducing students to horses, horsemanship and the fundamentals of the game.

Horses new for many

For many, it was their first experience around horses — much like Rosser’s own introduction years earlier.

“It was an incredible experience introducing a group of young people to the sport of polo at Newport Polo,” Rosser said. “For many of them, this was their first time being around horses and experiencing the game.”

“My hope is that each of these kids walked away with a new sense of curiosity, confidence, and an understanding that there are no limits to what they can pursue,” he said.

The event was made possible through a partnership with FabNewport, a nonprofit focused on expanding educational and creative opportunities for young people.

For Keating, who has long hoped to introduce polo to a broader audience, the program represented an opportunity to make the sport more accessible.

“It has long been a dream of mine to make the sport more accessible to young people from all backgrounds, providing mentorship through horsemanship and sharing the passion, values, and opportunities that polo has to offer,” she said.

For Rosser, it was another chance to pass along the opportunity that began with a horse in Philadelphia — and ultimately changed his life.