By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
The Atlanta BEST Academy Polo Team made history at the 8th Annual Atlanta Polo Party during the 2025 Soul Symphony Weekend, becoming the first all-Black high school polo team to compete in an official match.
In a 4–3 victory over the Starr Creek Polo Club of Cumming, Georgia, team members Caleb Choice-Sanchez, Syncere Poole, Declan Fitzpatrick, Ryland Hammond, Mikel Banks, and Quinn Ramsey showcased their skills and determination in a game that symbolized more than just athletic achievement.
“We are making history, and these young men are blazing a trail that we hope others will follow,” said Miguel Wilson, celebrity fashion designer and co-founder of the team. “For too long, a socioeconomic barrier has kept most Black people from participating in polo and other equestrian sports. My foundation was created to dismantle that barrier, providing these students with access to the skills and opportunities that come with it. It’s about more than just a game; it’s about leveling the playing field.”
Formed two years ago for students with no prior experience in polo or horseback riding, the team is a joint initiative between Wilson’s nonprofit, the Ride to the Olympics Foundation, the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, and Atlanta’s BEST Academy. The foundation covers the cost of riding lessons, horse rentals, uniforms, equipment, and more.
“Before I even arrived as principal, Miguel Wilson had already begun discussions about offering polo at BEST Academy,” said Robert Williams, principal of BEST Academy at the Thomas W. Dorch Jr. Institute. “It was a phenomenal opportunity. Students would learn how to care for horses, how to ride, and how to compete. The students have grown as leaders on campus and have really strived for excellence both on the field and off.”
Wilson first made history in 2019 by co-founding the Morehouse Polo Club, the first polo team at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Since then, he has worked to create more youth polo programs for Black students nationwide.
Founded in 2017, the Ride to the Olympics Foundation promotes youth access to equestrian sports, fashion, and leadership development. The nonprofit aims to increase diversity and participation in polo, show jumping, and dressage while building community engagement.
The 2025 Soul Symphony Weekend—a reimagined version of the annual Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic—took place Sept. 19–21 and featured a black-tie gala, fashion show, and a series of polo matches. This year’s highlights included the Black-Tie Soul Symphony and the Atlanta Polo Party.
Distinguished guests included Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and a host of celebrities such as Chris and Nell Fletcher of Love & Marriage: Huntsville, Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson of Married to Real Estate, Dr. Heavenly Kimes of Married to Medicine, and Toya Johnson-Rushing of Toya & Reginae. Actors Clifton Powell, Palmer Williams, and Rob Riley were also present, along with musicians Kevin Ross, Pastor Troy, and Q Parker. Community leaders such as Pastor Jamal Bryant, Bishop Vance Oldes, and Morris Brown College President Dr. Kevin James also attended.
