Davis, Calif. - Jill Humphrey has been named the next head coach of the Aggies after serving as an assistant for the past four seasons, Athletic Director Rocko DeLuca announced on Wednesday.

"With her experience as a competitive rider, trainer, and assistant coach who helped establish UC Davis' varsity equestrian program, Jill (Humphrey) was the ideal candidate," DeLuca said. "As a UC Davis alumna, Jill (Humphrey) is passionate about positive student-athlete experiences that are unique to being an Aggie and I look forward to working with her as we continue to build upon the team's success."

Humphrey was a member of UC Davis' inaugural coaching staff in 2018, joining Jessie Weisinger prior to the program's first season that year and overseeing the jumping seat events over the last four seasons. 

"I have really enjoyed my involvement with this team for the last four years and look forward to continuing to guide these amazing equestrian athletes representing this outstanding university," Humphrey said. 

Under Humphrey, the Aggies posted a 6-5-1 record in jumping seat events in the 2021-22 season. UC Davis finished the season on a three-meet win streak in flat and fences, defeating Fresno State, South Dakota State and SMU to end the season. 

The 2021-22 season saw new school records in both jumping seat events with Jessie Rechs' 91 in fences against Baylor and Carly Sweeney's 96 in flat at the same Mar. 5 meet. 

UC Davis riders earned 12 MOPs in jumping seat events in 2021-22, a program record. Humphrey has overseen the only two NCEA All-America recognitions in school history in Sweeney's Honorable Mention in 2021 and Sierra Gundersen's Second Team honor in 2022. The latter was the first time a UC Davis rider was named to an All-America team. 

She assumes a squad that posted a school-record four wins in 2021-22 while winning the first postseason meet in school history at the ECAC Championship. 

After graduating from UC Davis in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in communications and a minor in animal science (equine emphasis), Humphrey moved to Sacramento, and began working for Rudy Leone at Leone Equestrians Inc., where she gained experience in the Grand Prix ring as well as all around horsemanship knowledge. 

Named PCHA Rookie Rider of the Year in 2005, Humphrey earned PCHA Grand Prix Rider of the Year just two seasons later aboard Kaskaya. Named the top West Coast qualifiers for the World Cup finals held in Las Vegas, Nev., in 2007 and 2009, the duo also attended the Pan American Games and the $1 Million Athena Onassis Horse Show in Brazil. 

In 2015, Jill and her sister Jan Humphrey, also a UC Davis alum, began their venture of JH Sporthorses—a successful training, import, and sales program based out of Sacramento, Calif.