Overview
- Equestrian will remain varsity through the 2026 academic year before transitioning to club status, and existing athletic scholarships will be honored through graduation.
- UC Davis says the decision followed external and internal reviews focused on competitive alignment, participation, academics, Title IX obligations, and financial sustainability.
- STUNT moves from club to NCAA varsity in July, with the sport set to begin NCAA championship competition in the 2026–27 season.
- Thirty-three equestrian athletes are affected, with team members and alumni describing the midseason announcement as devastating and launching a petition that has drawn more than 12,000 signatures.
- Athletes cite limited Division I transfer options on the West Coast, noting Fresno State is the only other California DI equestrian program, as UC Davis caps a recent run that included 2023–24 conference titles and NCEA national appearances.