Upper Darby native and local nurse becomes first Black woman to compete in U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championships

By Nicole Leonard via https://whyy.org/

Shariah Harris started riding horses in Philadelphia at 8 years old. In addition to being a polo athlete, she also works as an operating room nurse.

Shariah Harris said it was “surreal” sdwhen she rode out onto the polo pitch with her teammates for their first match earlier this month in the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship.

“Butterflies on a thousand,” Harris said. “But then once I started playing, it’s business as usual. I’ve played a lot of polo.”

But these matches weren’t exactly business as usual. They marked a significant moment in U.S. equestrian sports as Harris, who grew up in Upper Darby, became the first Black woman to compete in the annual professional tournament.

After losing in the semifinals last week, Harris, 25, returned home from Florida this week and said she’s still learning to accept all the recognition …

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