Atlanta Hosted Ninth Annual Fashion and Polo Classic
The event blended equestrian competition with fashion to raise funds for African American youth riders.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Equestrian
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The ninth annual Atlanta Fashion and Polo Classic brought international teams to the city to compete while raising money for youth equestrian programs. The event supports the nonprofit Ride to the Olympics, which seeks to develop riders of color for future Olympic competition.
Why it matters
By pairing polo with fashion, the initiative provides critical funding for gear, travel, and training for youth riders. It serves as a platform to broaden access to a sport that typically requires significant financial resources, such as the four horses needed per player.
The event has run for nine years, requiring each polo participant to have four horses available for every match. These logistics support the development of teams like the 2025 Georgia Youth Polo Team and the 2023 B.E.S.T. Academy High School squad.
The players
Miguel Wilson
He is the founder of the Atlanta Fashion and Polo Classic and the nonprofit organization Ride to the Olympics.
The details
The classic brought together teams from Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and local programs to highlight the growth of polo in the African American community. Founder Miguel Wilson created the event to bridge the gap between equestrian competition and community support, following his earlier establishment of the Morehouse polo team in 2019.
Timeline
2017: Miguel Wilson founded Ride to the Olympics.
2019: The Morehouse polo team was created.
2023: B.E.S.T. Academy High School polo team established.
2025: The Georgia Youth Polo Team was created.
September 2026: The ninth annual Atlanta Fashion and Polo Classic occurred.
Season Trajectory
The Atlanta Fashion and Polo Classic fuels the development of a pipeline for equestrians of color, directly impacting the long-term diversity of the sport. By establishing institutional teams like the Morehouse and B.E.S.T. Academy squads, the event alters the competitive landscape of regional polo.
Attendees and supporters directly facilitate the funding of gear and training for youth riders through their participation in the gala. The expansion of local teams, such as the Georgia Youth Polo Team, indicates a growing opportunity for local students to engage in competitive polo.
The takeaway
This annual gathering demonstrates how niche athletic events can effectively mobilize community resources to support specialized training programs. Supporters can implement these models of sport-based fundraising to help remove financial barriers for young athletes in other disciplines.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest trends in Equestrian sports.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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