Parents ask regents to probe UC Davis���� equestrian program demotion and budget spike
January 17, 2026 | University of California, Boards and Commissions, Executive, California
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Parents of UC Davis equestrian athletes urged the University of California regents on Jan. 26 to investigate a recent decision to demote the school's Division I equestrian team.
A parent who identified herself as the mother of a UC Davis junior said athletic director Rocco DeLuca informed the team of a demotion and questioned a reported increase in the equestrian program's budget. She said parents had raised funds for equipment and that the team has two conference championships since 2018 and is ranked seventh nationally this year.
"I'm talking to you today to ask request an investigation into the massive increase in the equestrian budget over the past 5 years and to note, report the inaccuracies and misrepresentation of the team, and their justification in making this decision," said Lynn Medoff, identifying herself as the parent of a UC Davis equestrian co-captain.
Another public commenter contended an athletic director decision led to cutting an all-girls varsity horse team and alleged budget inflation tied to replacing the program with a different sport. Commenters asked the regents to review the athletic decision-making and budgetary justification.
No formal investigation or response was recorded in the open session.
A parent who identified herself as the mother of a UC Davis junior said athletic director Rocco DeLuca informed the team of a demotion and questioned a reported increase in the equestrian program's budget. She said parents had raised funds for equipment and that the team has two conference championships since 2018 and is ranked seventh nationally this year.
"I'm talking to you today to ask request an investigation into the massive increase in the equestrian budget over the past 5 years and to note, report the inaccuracies and misrepresentation of the team, and their justification in making this decision," said Lynn Medoff, identifying herself as the parent of a UC Davis equestrian co-captain.
Another public commenter contended an athletic director decision led to cutting an all-girls varsity horse team and alleged budget inflation tied to replacing the program with a different sport. Commenters asked the regents to review the athletic decision-making and budgetary justification.
No formal investigation or response was recorded in the open session.
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