Photo Credit: The Brand Collective
The 9th Annual Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic drew more than 3,000 guests to Bouckaert Farm in Fairburn, Georgia, while raising approximately $30,000 for youth equestrian programs.
The annual celebration brought together fashion, entertainment, culture and competitive polo on Saturday, September 19. Presented by the Miguel Wilson Collection and the Ride to the Olympics Foundation, the event marked its ninth year with a major turnout and a lineup of celebrity guests.
Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic draws thousands
The weekend began with an exclusive welcome party on Friday, September 18, at The Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel. Guests then gathered at Bouckaert Farm the following day for polo matches, food, cocktails and entertainment.
The event has become a platform for expanding access to equestrian sports among young people in underrepresented communities. This year, the fundraiser generated approximately $30,000 for the Ride to the Olympics Foundation.
The foundation uses the funds to support youth access to equestrian sports, leadership development and polo programs.
Morehouse Polo Club leads the action
Polo was at the center of the celebration, with matches featuring the Morehouse Polo Club and the Atlanta B.E.S.T. Academy Polo Team.
The Morehouse Polo Club is described in the event materials as the nation’s first certified HBCU polo team. Meanwhile, the Atlanta B.E.S.T. Academy Polo Team is identified as the country’s first all-Black high school polo team registered with the U.S. Polo Association.
The event also featured an international exhibition match against a visiting Nigerian Polo Team.
Together, the matches highlighted the growing presence of Black youth and HBCU athletes in a sport that has historically had limited representation from those communities.
Tyrese brings star power to the event
R&B singer, songwriter and actor Tyrese provided a special live performance during the afternoon celebration.
His appearance added another entertainment highlight to an event that already attracted a notable group of celebrities, media personalities and public figures.
The guest list included former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, entertainment executive Mona Scott-Young, Toya Johnson-Rushing, Grammy Award-winning producer Bryan-Michael Cox, actors Lamman Rucker and Terri J. Vaughn, Mimi Faust, Big Tigger, Kenny Burns, Portia Bruner, Guy Lambert, Derek Blanks and Pastor Jamal Bryant.
The gathering blended the worlds of fashion, entertainment and equestrian sports while keeping youth development at the center of the event.
Fundraiser supports youth equestrian programs
The approximately $30,000 raised will directly benefit the Ride to the Olympics Foundation and its youth programs.
Founded in 2017, the organization works to reduce socioeconomic barriers to equestrian sports. Its programs focus on polo, show jumping and dressage, along with leadership development and community engagement.
The foundation also aims to expand youth polo teams and eventually establish a national competitive circuit. That vision could create additional educational, athletic and career opportunities for young participants.
The Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic therefore serves as both a fundraising event and a platform for increasing visibility around youth participation in equestrian sports.
A growing Atlanta tradition
Now in its ninth year, the Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic continues to combine luxury fashion, sports and entertainment with a charitable mission.
With more than 3,000 attendees, celebrity performances and an international polo exhibition, the 2026 event highlighted the growing reach of the annual celebration.
The fundraiser also reinforced the event’s focus on creating greater access to equestrian opportunities for young people from underrepresented communities.
Source: 404 Communications Firm / Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic press release.
About the Author
