My name is Dawn Gonzalez, and I am writing this as a proud and heartbroken parent. Like so many other young women on the UC Davis D1 Equestrian team, my daughter has spent her entire life working toward a single goal: competing at the highest level of NCAA athletics. For her, being an Aggie isn’t just about the sport—it’s about the grit, the discipline, and the bond between horse and rider that defines this university’s agricultural roots.

On January 9, 2026, our team was blindsided. Despite being back-to-back conference champions (2023 & 2024) and currently ranked among the top programs in the nation, UC Davis announced it will demote the Equestrian program to a club sport starting in July 2026. This decision effectively ends the Division 1 dreams of 33 dedicated female athletes and leaves them with almost no options to compete at this level on the West Coast. UC Davis is a world-class agricultural and veterinary institution. Our mascot, Gunrock, is a horse. The equestrian team is the living embodiment of the school’s spirit. To see it removed in favor of "strategic adjustments" feels like a betrayal of the very identity of the university. These athletes aren’t just riders; they are scholars and ambassadors who have proven their worth in the arena and the classroom. Please donate to help fund our efforts to reverse this decision! Visit keepdavisriding.com to learn more