The Atlanta BEST Academy Polo Team marked a historic milestone by competing in its first official match during the 8th Annual Atlanta Polo Party, held as part of the 2025 Soul Symphony Weekend. The team narrowly defeated the Starr Creek Polo Club from Cumming, Georgia, with a 4-3 victory, showcasing skill, determination, and teamwork.

Formed two years ago to introduce students with no prior riding or polo experience to the sport, the team is the first all-Black high school polo squad in the nation. Co-founded by celebrity fashion designer Miguel Wilson through his non-profit, the Ride to the Olympics Foundation, the team is a collaboration with the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and Atlanta’s BEST Academy. The initiative aims to break down longstanding socioeconomic barriers that have historically limited access to polo and other equestrian sports for Black youth.

The foundation supports the team by covering riding lessons, horse rentals, uniforms, and equipment, ensuring students have the resources to excel both on and off the field. High-profile events like the Soul Symphony Weekend and the Annual Atlanta Polo Party serve as fundraising opportunities to sustain and expand these programs.

The 2025 Soul Symphony Weekend, a reimagined version of the Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic, featured a black-tie gala, a live fashion show, and multiple polo matches, drawing an array of notable figures. Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, television personalities, actors, musicians, and community leaders all attended, celebrating the event’s blend of sport, culture, and philanthropy.

Wilson previously made history in 2019 by co-founding the Morehouse Polo Club, the first polo team at a Historically Black College and University. Since then, he has focused on creating pathways for Black youth to engage in equestrian sports nationwide.

The program has already made a measurable impact on its student-athletes. Under the guidance of Atlanta BEST Academy, participants have developed leadership skills, discipline, and a sense of community through polo. Principal Robert Williams highlighted the growth and excellence of students, both on the field and academically, emphasizing the transformative potential of the program.

Proceeds from the Soul Symphony Weekend will continue to support the Ride to the Olympics Foundation, which aims to expand youth polo teams across the country.

For more information or to contribute to the Ride to the Olympics Foundation, visit https://www.ridetotheolympics.org.