PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA(TFD) - “The Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club evolved from a century-long tradition of Urban Black Cowboys in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ and one man’s commitment to provide horsemanship experience in the inner-city.
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Located in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood of North Philadelphia, the organization run by Ellis Ferrell, remains true to its mission in producing an alternative to outdoor leisure activity to the community and engaging urban youth in equestrian sports while teaching life skills, discipline and promoting academic excellence.
The Fletcher Street Urban riding club is one of several Black cowboy clubs or organizations in Philadelphia. But Fletcher street dates back quite a few decades.
However Fletcher street was one of the locations that was filmed in the Idris Elba movie “The Concrete Cowboy.” While we may not see Elba riding horseback through Philly You might see Al Lynch trotting through every now and then. Lynch and several other local folks also appeared in that movie.
However FSURC is arguably the most popular riding club in the city but other clubs such as Malik Divers “The Original Concrete Cowboy, Bill Pickett Riding Club, Cobb Creek Trail riders and The Concrete Cowgirl Can also be found in Philly
The FSURC recently celebrated their new barn in Fairmount Park but vows to keep Fletcher street open as well.
Things that hold true for clubs like Fletcher Street is the concern for the children by keeping them active in the club, learning how to keep the animals and themselves off the street and falling through the cracks.
The members are free to care and ride the horses daily. Their trail rides consist mostly of Fairmount Park and a two day summer cowboy camp in upstate New York learning gymkhana games, camping etiquette and horsemanship.