Building the Future: UDJC Approved Riding Schools

When we created the United Dressage and Jumping Club (UDJC), our mission was clear: make showing more affordable, accessible, and educational while still holding the highest standards of horsemanship. But horse shows don’t exist in isolation. The riders who enter our rings start somewhere — usually at a local lesson barn. That’s why UDJC Approved Riding Schools are one of the most important pieces of our system. They are the foundation that connects beginner riders, families, and trainers into the larger world of competition.

Why Riding Schools Matter

Riding schools are the first point of contact for most kids who fall in love with horses. At UDJC, we believe that introduction needs to be hands-on, structured, and fun. That means kids as young as 2 years old can start their journey in safe, supervised environments where they’re not just passengers on a pony, but true horsemen in the making. From the beginning, they learn to tack up, groom, and take responsibility for their animals. That’s how you develop real skills, not just photo ops.

A Curriculum That Grows With the Rider

We’ve developed a four-level curriculum, each one accompanied by its own book, so that riders progress step by step — with no gaps in knowledge.

• Level 1: For our youngest riders, focusing on gear, safety, simple handling and riding on the lead line.

• Level 2 – Level B-Badge: Developing confidence through riding basics (mainly on the lunge line), grooming independence, and barn skills.

• Level 3 – Level E-Badge: Introducing real Dressage and Jumping skills. The bridge into the UDJC show system with everything attached to it.

• Level 4 – Level A-Badge: Experienced riders who are fine tuning their skills in all disciplines. 

Every badge is more than just a milestone — it’s a motivator for kids and a visible achievement that trainers and parents can celebrate.

Barn Shows and Level-Up Events

One of the most exciting privileges of being a UDJC Approved Riding School is the ability to host official barn shows and level-up events. These are small-scale but fully recognized UDJC competitions held right at the barn. Riders test what they’ve learned, receive live judge feedback from real UDJC judges, and earn the scores they need to move up in our system. It makes the transition into larger UDJC shows seamless, affordable, and confidence-building.

Recognition and Pathway Into the Sport

Being a UDJC Approved Riding School means you’re not just another lesson barn — you’re recognized as a partner in a nationwide educational and competitive pathway. Your students are connected to a professional show circuit where their progress is measured, celebrated, and supported at every step.

Hands-On Horsemanship as the Standard

At UDJC, we don’t believe in kids just showing up to ride and leaving. The best horsemen are forged in the daily responsibilities: grooming, tacking up, cleaning tack, feeding, and learning about the animal from the ground up. Our riding schools commit to that philosophy. Riders learn independence, responsibility, and care — values that carry into the show ring and especially into life.

Why Trainers Should Care

For trainers, UDJC Approved Riding Schools provide a pipeline of educated, disciplined, and motivated young riders. The judges’ feedback at every level — from barn shows to national competitions — reinforces what trainers are teaching. Hearing the same message from a judge’s microphone as from a trainer’s mouth makes lessons stick in powerful ways.

The Bigger Picture

UDJC is not just about running horse shows. It’s about reshaping the entire equestrian pathway. By connecting grassroots riding schools with a clear curriculum, in-house competition, badges, and recognized shows, we ensure that kids develop correctly, horses are respected, and trainers are supported.

The future of equestrian sport depends on the strength of its foundation. UDJC Approved Riding Schools are that foundation — and together, we’re building riders, horsemen, and a show system that will stand the test of time.