The Atlanta BEST Academy Polo Team — the first-ever all-Black high school polo team — made its competitive debut at the 8th Annual Atlanta Polo Party during the 2025 Soul Symphony Weekend. Not only did they make history simply by participating, but the team also clinched a stunning victory in their first-ever match.
The team was co-founded two years ago by celebrity fashion designer Miguel Wilson through his nonprofit, the Ride to the Olympics Foundation, in collaboration with 100 Black Men of Atlanta and Atlanta’s BEST Academy. Wilson, known for his luxury menswear and philanthropic endeavors, created the initiative to open doors for young Black students in a sport traditionally seen as exclusive and elite.
“These young men are blazing a trail that we hope others will follow,” Wilson said. “We are making history.”
Remarkably, none of the students had any prior experience with polo or horseback riding before joining the program. In just two years, they transformed from complete beginners to champions — a testament to their dedication, resilience, and the power of opportunity.
The Atlanta Polo Party, held annually as part of the Soul Symphony Weekend, provided the perfect stage for their debut. The event celebrates Black excellence across art, music, culture, and now, polo — a sport where representation has long been lacking.
For more information about the Ride to the Olympics Foundation or to support its mission of empowering underrepresented youth through equestrian sports, visit www.ridetotheolympics.org.