American Horse Council issues statement

“Horse hockey” is a term every Regent of a land‑grant agricultural university ought to recognize as shorthand for nonsense, and it aptly captures UC Davis’ recent decision to downgrade its varsity equestrian team while elevating STUNT, a competitive cheer discipline, to varsity status. 

– American Horse Council

Desert horse park Speaks Out

UC Davis has long been a beacon for equestrian excellence, blending world-class veterinary research with elite athletic competition. By removing the varsity status of this program, the university is dismantling a vital pipeline for the next generation of industry professionals.

— Desert International Horse Park

cal horsemen’s association voices concerns

CSHA is deeply concerned by Chancellor May’s decision to downgrade the Women’s Equestrian Team from Division I to Club status, a move made without transparency or input from key stakeholders.

– California State Horsmen’s Association

equestrians speak out

As a former collegiate equestrian student-athlete turned college recruiting consultant, I’ve seen firsthand how impactful these programs are—both during college and long after graduation. Equestrian programs consistently produce student-athletes with some of the highest team GPAs on campus and foster discipline, leadership, time management, and academic excellence.


— Raegan Rast Bennett

@ninathornton3

Losing UC Davis as a D1 equestrian team is a senseless loss for our sport as a whole and limits access at the collegiate level and beyond for so many women #equestrian #ncea #division1

♬ original sound – Nina Thornton