Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club Documentary Released
New screenings highlight the historic club's youth program and its move to a new Fairmount Park facility.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Large Animals
Live Poll
Do you believe local youth community programs deserve financial support from your community?
A new documentary highlighting the Strawberry Mansion-based Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club is screening across Philadelphia. The film explores the organization's efforts to preserve the Urban Black Cowboy tradition while securing a new stable location.
Why it matters
The club serves as a critical community resource by teaching horsemanship and life skills to local youth, often acting as a final opportunity for those on their last chances. Following the redevelopment of their original lot, the organization is currently fundraising to build new facilities in Fairmount Park.
Founded in 2004, the nonprofit club operates with 87-year-old founder Ellis Ferrell and manager Darrin Ferrell. The club is transitioning its operations to Fairmount Park after its previous North Philadelphia site was lost to redevelopment.
The players
Ellis Ferrell
The 87-year-old founder of the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club who helped establish the organization's focus on the Urban Black Cowboy tradition.
Darrin Ferrell
The day-to-day manager who oversees the riding club's youth programming and community operations.
Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club
A long-standing Philadelphia nonprofit that uses horse care and riding to mentor local youth in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood.
The details
The Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club uses horsemanship to teach essential life skills to youth in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. By preserving the tradition of Urban Black Cowboys, the club provides a unique mentorship environment for at-risk youth. The group is now focused on building a permanent home in Fairmount Park to ensure the survival of its programming.
Timeline
The Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club was founded in 2004.
The documentary screens at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on September 26, 2026.
An additional screening occurs at the Tired Hands Mt. Airy Biergarten on October 3, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Home Front
The club's transition to a new site in Fairmount Park mirrors the broader challenge of preserving community-based cultural institutions in dense urban environments. This development follows a pattern of local organizations seeking permanent stability after losing long-held neighborhood lots.
Residents interested in supporting the club's transition can attend upcoming screenings to learn about the organization's needs. Consider reaching out to the club's management to find out how to participate in community fundraising efforts for the new Fairmount Park facility.
The takeaway
The Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club represents a vital link to the history of Urban Black Cowboys in Philadelphia. Supporting their move to Fairmount Park helps ensure that this mentorship program remains available to local youth for years to come.
Further reading
Learn more about local equestrian initiatives by visiting the Philadelphia Large Animals section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 6abc Action News.
Live Poll
Do you believe local youth community programs deserve financial support from your community?
