DAVIS, Calif. — Following a historic season defined by dominance and program milestones, UC Davis equestrian head coach
Jill Humphrey has been named the Eastern College Athletics Conference (ECAC) Coach of the Year, and Kendal Reiner has been recognized as the ECAC Assistant Coach of the Year (Reining), the conference announced today.
The honors come on the heels of a campaign where the Aggies solidified their status as the premier program in the league. Under Humphrey's leadership, UC Davis achieved a perfect conference record, going 5-0 in regular-season play before sweeping their way through the postseason to claim the 2026 ECAC Championship title. This marks the third conference championship in program history and the first time the Aggies have swept every single conference meet in a season.
Since taking the helm in the 2022-23 season, Humphrey has steadily built the Aggies into a national powerhouse. This season's perfect conference run was bolstered by a landmark non-conference victory over TCU — the first time UC Davis has defeated the Horned Frogs in program history.
The Aggies' individual accolades further highlight the coaching staff's impact. UC Davis secured a program-record seven ECAC Rider of the Month honors this season. Additionally, the team dominated the weekly awards, collecting 20 ECAC Rider of the Week selections—falling just one shy of the all-time program record of 21 set in 2024.
Reiner, specializing in the Reining event, was instrumental in the Aggies' defensive and offensive strategy in the Western discipline. Her guidance propelled the Reining squad to critical points throughout the undefeated conference run, ensuring the Aggies remained untouchable in league matchups.
While the awards recognize the coaches, the success was mirrored by a roster that earned countless individual honors, proving that Humphrey and Reiner have cultivated one of the most talented and disciplined barns in the country.
ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS:
UC Davis, the No. 2 ranked public university by the Wall Street Journal, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked No. 1 in Agriculture and Forestry as well as No. 1 in Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27.
For more information, visit https://ucdavisaggies.com/.
