Starting 2026 Strong:

What Families Need to Know NOW

Author

Randi Heathman
January 13, 2026

New Year, New Moves (and a little reality for good measure)

A fresh calendar page has officially turned, which means it’s time to look ahead—with intention, information, and just enough realism to keep us out of the weeds, readers.

First up: some big news out of California broke late last week (and not the good kind, unfortunately).

For the planners out there, check out the upcoming camps, clinics, and campus visit opportunities below to help your students explore colleges and riding options without guesswork. Test-drive environments, build confidence, ask better questions, and cross schools off the list if you need to. (That’s not failure, that’s clarity, and clarity is priceless in this process.)

Also ahead:

I’ll reveal a brand-new product very soon. If you like efficiency, transparency, and a few late-night Google spirals, you’ll want to keep an eye open. I’ve been building some new tools to hopefully provide more of that clarity I mentioned above. More details coming shortly!

Speaking of 2026, let’s talk about the realities of college admissions and financial aid. Below, you’ll find the latest in student lending updates and a little bit about those public flagship universities everyone loves. (Spoiler alert: Increased out-of-state demand, capped enrollment, institutional priorities, and state politics have all collided to make admission far more competitive than many families expect - especially for strong, well-qualified students who would have sailed in a decade ago.) Read on for all of the details.

Summary: 2026 is shaping up to be a year where information is power, planning early pays off, and students who engage meaningfully - through visits, experiences, and intentional choices - will stand out.

Here’s to clarity and confidence!

UC Davis Eliminates DI Equestrian Team

Club Program to Remain

“UC Davis Athletics announced today (January 9, 2026) a strategic adjustment to its sport sponsorship model that will take effect beginning in the 2026–27 academic year. Equestrian will transition from varsity status to club sport status, and STUNT will be elevated from club sport status to NCAA varsity status beginning in July 2026.”

Upcoming Camps, Clinics, & Visits

The Inside Track…

is investing $30 million over the next two years to protect animals, people and agriculture in the state through innovative partnerships and programs centered at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Read More

For years, many families treated public flagship universities as the stable middle ground. These schools were seen as strong, respected, and more predictable than the Ivy League. A place where high achieving students could feel confident they would land if the most selective options did not work out.

In the 2026 admissions cycle, that assumption no longer holds. Read More

Federal student loans are a critical component in how families pay for college.

Beginning in 2026, new laws will change how much students and parents can borrow and how those student loans are repaid. The changes are significant, especially for graduate students, professional programs, and families that rely on Parent PLUS loans to close college funding gaps. Read More