United Dressage & Jumping Club
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UDJC Riding Schools / OnboardingFor trainers ready to take the next step

Welcome to the UDJC Riding School Program

Let’s build something great together.

Your step-by-step guide to becoming an official UDJC Riding School. Work through the five steps at your own pace; your application saves on this device as you go.

  1. 01Welcome
  2. 02The program
  3. 03Standards
  4. 04Membership
  5. 05Application

Step 01 / Welcome to UDJC

Welcome. We’re glad you’re here.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about the UDJC Riding School program. Every school in our network shares one belief: great riders are made through great education, and the horse always comes first.

Becoming a UDJC Riding School is a partnership. You bring your barn, your horses and your teaching; we bring a proven curriculum, clear standards and a national pathway from the first pony ride to the show ring. This guide explains how the program works, what we expect of each other and how to apply.

The UDJC leadership team

What happens during onboarding

  1. 01Understand the programLevels, Badges and Badge Shows.
  2. 02Review the standardsWhat UDJC expects of every school.
  3. 03Choose your membershipProfessional or Elite.
  4. 04ApplyThe full Riding School application.
  5. 05Review & launchApproval, then the School Launch Program.

Step 02 / Understand the program

Four levels. One pathway.

Every UDJC Riding School teaches Unicorn, B, E and A, with horsemanship alongside riding. Riders move up by demonstrating each level and earning its Badge.

  1. LEVEL 01

    Unicorn

    The youngest riders, ages 3–5

    Barn safety, pony care, lead-line riding, balance and confidence.

    BADGEOfficial UDJC Unicorn Badge

  2. LEVEL 02

    Level B

    The beginner rider

    Lunge-line foundation, secure seat, walk and trot control, early canter.

    BADGEOfficial UDJC B Badge

  3. LEVEL 03

    Level E

    The developing rider

    Independence, rhythm, dressage patterns, polework and first jumps.

    BADGEOfficial UDJC E Badge

  4. LEVEL 04

    Level A

    The advanced riding school student

    Advanced flatwork, technical jumping, horse knowledge and competition readiness.

    BADGEOfficial UDJC A Badge

Badges & Badge Shows

Badges mark each level a rider has achieved. Your school hosts UDJC Badge Shows: two-day, in-house educational events judged by certified UDJC judges.

Day 01Instruction & clinic

A clinic designed to develop horse and rider skills.

Day 02Competition & Badges

Certified UDJC judges evaluate riders and award official Badges for what they can show.

How it fits your lesson business

The UDJC system runs inside your existing program. You keep:

  • Your business name
  • Your billing system
  • Your scheduling system
  • Your other lesson programs
  • Your other disciplines and programs

Program resources

All School Launch Program resources

Step 03 / Partnership standards

What we expect of each other.

Families choose a UDJC Riding School because of what the name stands for. These standards keep that promise at every school.

Horse welfare

  • The health, safety and happiness of every horse come first.
  • Lesson horses are suitable, sound and well cared for.
  • Riders only move up when horse and rider are truly ready.

Professional conduct

  • Trainers follow the UDJC trainer requirements.
  • Safety standards for equipment, attire and instruction are met.
  • Every rider and family is treated with respect.

Educational standards

  • All four levels are offered: Unicorn, B, E and A.
  • The UDJC curriculum is taught as written.
  • Horsemanship is taught alongside riding.

Student development

  • Riders progress through the levels by demonstrated ability.
  • Badges are awarded to the shared UDJC standard.
  • Riders are offered Badge Shows and a path to competition.

Communication

  • Families get clear, honest updates on their rider’s progress.
  • UDJC is kept informed of changes to your trainers, facility or program.
  • The school actively operates the UDJC system and stays connected to the network.
The certification requirements in full
  • Offer Unicorn, Level B, Level E and Level A
  • Teach the UDJC curriculum
  • Teach horsemanship alongside riding
  • Follow the UDJC trainer requirements
  • Provide progression through the levels
  • Host UDJC Badge Shows
  • Actively operate the UDJC system

Step 04 / Membership

Same standard. Two levels of support.

You choose Professional or Elite after your school is approved. Both follow the same certification standards.

01 / MEMBERSHIPESSENTIAL

Professional

$1,000 per year

Everything a school needs to operate as a UDJC Certified Riding School.

  • Full access to the curriculum needed to operate as a Certified Riding School
  • Official Riding School tile
  • Listing in the UDJC School Search
  • Badge Shows
  • Working materials
  • Trainer Requirements book
  • Million Dollar Riding School book
  • Parent brochures
  • Monthly group call
  • Member discounts
  • 1 free tack stall at Circuit Shows
  • Social media features and spotlights

02 / MEMBERSHIPMORE SUPPORT

Elite

$3,000 per year

Everything in Professional, plus:

  • Quarterly private business consultation calls
  • Marketing toolkit
  • Preferred search placement
  • Custom 3 × 24 banner at Circuit Shows
  • Additional marketing and visibility benefits

Included today

Onboarding fee

Confirmed with you when your school is approved, together with your School Launch Program.

Renewal

Membership is annual. Each year your school renews its membership and continues to meet the partnership standards.

Services & resources

Curriculum access, working materials, Badge Shows and ongoing support, as listed for each membership above.

Step 05 / Your application

Complete your Riding School application.

Tell us about your background, your facility, your lesson program and your readiness for the UDJC standards. It takes about 20 minutes, and your draft saves on this device.

CHAPTER 1 OF 5

Business

The essentials about your school and how to reach you.

You choose your package after your school is approved.

After you submit

  1. 01Review

    The UDJC team reads every application personally.

  2. 02Conversation

    We reach out with any questions and talk through next steps.

  3. 03Approval

    Once approved, you choose Professional or Elite.

  4. 04Launch program

    Complete the School Launch Program with UDJC.

  5. 05Go live

    Become an active UDJC Certified Riding School.

Questions along the way?

We’re here to help.

Reply to any email from the UDJC team, or write to us and we’ll get back to you.

Email the UDJC team Back to For Trainers