UDJC Circuit Championship Finals
The Circuit Finals are the highlight of the UDJC season — a multi-day championship show bringing together the best horses and riders from across the Circuit. At the Finals, three major championship paths showcase the diversity and depth of the UDJC system:
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
How to qualify:
Jumping: Rider must complete six classes with a score of 6.5 or higher in style classes, or achieve six clear rounds in timed classes.
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Dressage: Rider must complete six classes in their Level with a score of 6.5 / 65% or higher.
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Hunters: Rider must earn two times a divisional average score of 6.5 or higher at their Level.
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Qualifications may be earned at either Foundation Shows or Circuit Shows.
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Riders may qualify on different horses — the qualification is awarded to the rider, not the horse or horse-rider combination.
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Riders must compete in the Championship level they qualified for.
For example, if a rider qualifies at 75 cm, they may not enter the 65 cm Championship; they must compete at the level they earned their qualification.
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At the FINALS:
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Jumping
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Style Classes (Group Format: .40, .50, .65)
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3 classes.
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Total score = all 3 classes combined.
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In a tie → Class 3 counts double.
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Style Classes (Individual Format: .75, .85)
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4 classes: 3 jumping style rounds + 1 dressage test.
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Total score = all 4 classes combined.
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In a tie → Dressage test counts double.
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Timed Classes (.95 and up) – ATC Format
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4 ATC rounds.
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Round 1 determines the order of go for the Final Round.
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Round 3 includes a Joker Jump:
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Clear: –4 points
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Knockdown/refusal: +4 points
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One attempt only
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After all 4 rounds → Jump-off for any tied medal positions.
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Dressage
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3 classes.
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Total = scores of all 3 classes.
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In a tie → Class 3 counts double.
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Hunters
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Full division of 5 classes:
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1 Under Saddle
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2 Over-Fence rounds
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2 Handy rounds
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Total = all 5 class scores combined.
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In a tie → Second Handy round counts double.
YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS
A minimum of 25 horse–rider combinations per division will qualify for the Youth Final.
In the Youth Championships, qualification applies specifically to the horse–rider combination.
Qualification is based on the two following criteria (refer to the table underneath for specific requirements):
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Guaranteed Qualification (Criteria 1):
Horse–rider combinations that meet Criteria 1 automatically secure a place in the Final for their respective division and discipline.
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Lucky Loser (Criteria 2):
If fewer than 25 horse–rider combinations meet Criteria 1, the remaining spots will be filled according to Criteria 2,
which is based on the highest total number of points earned at that specific level during UDJC Circuit Shows.​
Jumpers
Division | Age | Level | Guaranteed Qualification | Lucky Loser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Young Riders | 21 and under | 1.25 | Six clear rounds in 1.25 | Top 25 points |
Juniors | 18 and under | 1.15 | Six clear rounds in 1.15 | Top 25 points |
Children | 14 and under | .95 | Six times either clear round in .95 timed class or 7.5 or higher in style | Top 25 points |
Pony | 16 and under | .75 | Six times a score of 7.5 or higher | Top 25 points |
Dressage
Division | Age | Level | Guaranteed Qualification | Lucky Loser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Young Riders | 21 and under | Ability L | 6 times 7.0 or higher | Top 25 points |
Juniors | 18 and under | Ability A | 6 times 7.0 or higher | Top 25 points |
Children | 14 and under | Benchmark E | 6 times 7.0 or higher | Top 25 points |
Pony | 16 and under | Benchmark E | 6 times 7.0 or higher | Top 25 points |
Hunters
Division | Age | Level | Guaranteed Qualification | Lucky Loser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Young Riders | 21 and under | 3'6 | 2 times divisional average score of 7.0 or better | Top 25 points |
Juniors | 18 and under | 3'0 | 2 times divisional average score of 7.0 or better | Top 25 points |
Children | 14 and under | 2'6 | 2 times divisional average score of 7.0 or better | Top 25 points |
Pony | 16 and under | 2'3 | 2 times divisional average score of 7.0 or better | Top 25 points |
At the FINALS:
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Jumping
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Style Classes (Group Format: .40, .50, .65)
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3 classes.
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Total score = all 3 classes combined.
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In a tie → Class 3 counts double.
-
-
Style Classes (Individual Format: .75, .85)
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4 classes: 3 jumping style rounds + 1 dressage test.
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Total score = all 4 classes combined.
-
In a tie → Dressage test counts double.
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Timed Classes (.95 and up) – ATC Format
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4 ATC rounds.
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Round 1 determines the order of go for the Final Round.
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Round 3 includes a Joker Jump:
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Clear: –4 points
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Knockdown/refusal: +4 points
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One attempt only
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After all 4 rounds → Jump-off for any tied medal positions.
​
Dressage
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3 classes.
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Total = scores of all 3 classes.
-
In a tie → Class 3 counts double.
​
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Hunters
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Full division of 5 classes:
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1 Under Saddle
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2 Over-Fence rounds
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2 Handy rounds
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Total = all 5 class scores combined.
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In a tie → Second Handy round counts double.
YOUNG HORSE
CHAMPIONSHIPS
A minimum of 25 horses will qualify for each division and age. All horses must compete in at least three qualifiers to be eligible for the Final.
Qualification applies to the horse only — not the rider or the horse-rider combination.
Qualification is based on the following criteria (refer to the table underneath for specific requirements):
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Guaranteed Qualification (Criteria 1):
Horses that meet Criteria 1 automatically secure a spot in the Final for their respective division and discipline.
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Lucky Loser (Criteria 2):
If fewer than 25 horses meet Criteria 1, the remaining positions will be filled according to Criteria 2.
Under Criteria 2, qualification is awarded based on the highest average score from the horse’s best three qualifiers.
Division | Age | Level | Guaranteed Qualification | Lucky Loser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dressage | 7 YO Horses | YH Level M | 8.0 or higher | Top 25 |
Dressage | 3 YO Horses | YH Level E | 8.0 or higher | Top 25 |
Jumper | 7 YO Horses | 1.25 | 3 clear rounds | Top 25 |
Hunters | 6 YO Horses | 2'9 | 8.0 or higher | Top 25 |
Hunters | 5 YO Horses | 2'6 | 8.0 or higher | Top 25 |
Hunters | 4 YO Horses | Young Hunter | 8.0 or higher | Top 25 |
Dressage | 6 YO Horses | YH Level L | 8.0 or higher | Top 25 |
Dressage | 5 YO Horses | YH Level A | 8.0 or higher | Top 25 |
Dressage | 4 YO Horses | YH Level E | 8.0 or higher | Top 25 |
Jumper | 6 YO Horses | 1.05 | 8.0 or higher | Top 25 |
Jumper | 5 YO Horses | .85 | 8.0 or higher | Top 25 |
Jumper | 4 YO Horses | .65 | 8.0 or higher | Top 25 |
At the FINALS:
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Jumping
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4-, 5-, 6-Year-Olds
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Judged on performance (style format).
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7-Year-Olds
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Compete in ATC (timed) classes.
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Championship Format
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Opening Round – acclimation only; not part of championship.
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Qualifier Round – top 50%, but minimum 10 horses qualify.
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Ties for 10th → all tied advance.
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​Final Round – winner = Champion.
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Tie for medals: Qualifier (Round 2) breaks the tie.
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Dressage
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Opening Class – acclimation only; not part of championship.
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Qualifier Class – top 50%, minimum 10, advance.
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Ties for 10th → all tied advance..
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Final Class – winner = Champion.
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Tie for medals: Qualifier (Class 2) used as tie-breaker.
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Hunters
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Opening Class – acclimation only; not part of championship.
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Qualifier Class – top 50%, minimum 10, advance.
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Ties for 10th → all tied advance..
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Final Class – winner = Champion.
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Tie for medals: Qualifier (Round 2) breaks the tie.