Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic returns Sept. 19 with Tyrese headline

The 9th Annual Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic is set for Sept. 19 in Fairburn, Georgia, with Tyrese, polo matches and celebrity guests drawing more than 2,000 attendees. The event supports the Ride to the Olympics Foundation and its youth equestrian programs, including the Morehouse Polo Club and Atlanta B.E.S.T. Academy Polo Team.

Why it matters: - The Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic is now a major fundraising engine for the Ride to the Olympics Foundation. - Event proceeds support youth access to equestrian sports in underrepresented communities. - The foundation’s programs have helped build two high-profile HBCU and high school polo teams.

What happened: - The 9th Annual Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic returns Saturday, Sept. 19, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Bouckaert Farm in Fairburn, Georgia. - The weekend starts Friday, Sept. 18, with a ticket-holder welcome party at The Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel. - The event is presented by the Miguel Wilson Collection and the Ride to the Olympics Foundation. - Sponsors include Bentley Atlanta, Ben Crump Law and Indigo Road Realty. - Tyrese will headline the event with a featured live performance. - Other guests include Frank Ski, Kenny Burns, Bryan-Michael Cox, Clifton Powell, Rob Riley, Pastor Troy and Red Grant. - More than 2,000 guests are expected over the weekend.

The details: - The event mixes polo, fashion, luxury and culture. - Saturday’s main event includes gourmet food, signature cocktails, live music, three main party tents and polo matches. - Players will come from the Atlanta B.E.S.T. Academy Polo Team, the Morehouse Polo Club and a visiting Nigerian Polo Team. - The Atlanta B.E.S.T. Academy Polo Team is the nation’s first all-Black high school polo team registered with the USPA. - The team was created through a partnership with the Ride to the Olympics Foundation, Atlanta B.E.S.T. Academy and 100 Black Men of Atlanta. - The Morehouse Polo Club debuted at the 2nd Annual Classic as the first HBCU polo team. - The Morehouse Polo Club earned USPA certification in 2020.

Between the lines: - The Classic has evolved from a social event into a public showcase for diversity in equestrian sports. - Miguel Wilson framed the event as a proof point that young Black riders can compete in a space that has historically excluded them. - The growing list of celebrity guests and sponsors signals strong cultural cachet beyond the polo field. - The event’s mix of sport, philanthropy and entertainment is designed to widen awareness and donations at the same time.

What's next: - Organizers say proceeds will continue to flow directly to the Ride to the Olympics Foundation. - Future support will likely focus on sustaining the Morehouse Polo Club and Atlanta B.E.S.T. Academy Polo Team. - Tickets and donation information are available at the event website and the foundation website.

The bottom line: - The Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic is trying to do more than stage a celebrity polo weekend. - Its core mission is to use the event to fund and normalize youth access to equestrian sports.