BEST Academy Breaks Barriers in Polo with Historic Victory

Atlanta — Students at Atlanta’s BEST Academy have made history by forming the first all Black high school polo team in the United States and winning their debut match. The team defeated Starr Creek Polo Club 4 to 3 at the 8th Annual Atlanta Polo Party during the 2025 Soul Symphony Weekend.

The six team members, Caleb Choice Sanchez, Syncere Poole, Declan Fitzpatrick, Ryland Hammond, Mikel Banks, and Quinn Ramsey, had never competed in an official polo match before this event.

Their victory is being celebrated not just as a win on the field but as a breakthrough for access and representation in a sport historically limited to those with resources and connections.

The program was created through a collaboration involving Miguel Wilson’s Ride to the Olympics Foundation, the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, and BEST Academy. The nonprofit supports the team by covering costs such as riding lessons, horse rentals, uniforms, and equipment.

Wilson, who previously helped start the Morehouse College polo team, said the goal is to dismantle socioeconomic barriers and open doors for Black youth in equestrian sports.

BEST Academy’s principal, Robert Williams, described the effort as more than athletic opportunity. He said participating in polo teaches responsibility, leadership, and confidence, and helps students see themselves succeeding in environments where they have not historically had presence.

Quinn Ramsey, captain of the team, noted that the sport has offered him a different path. He emphasized the lessons of discipline, teamwork, and respect that polo demands and how stepping outside mainstream athletic choices challenges assumptions about what opportunities are possible.

Supporters see this moment as a turning point, a demonstration that when investment and access exist, talent can shine regardless of background. The team’s win draws attention to broader questions of equity in sports and opportunity in education.

The Atlanta BEST Academy Polo Team’s first match is likely only the beginning. Organizers plan to expand the program and inspire similar teams in other cities. The success of these six students may pave the way for a more inclusive future in polo and other underserved sports arenas.