Judges Certification at UDJC

Let’s talk about judges. At UDJC, we don’t just throw anybody in the chair with a clipboard. Our judges are career horse people - lifelong professionals who’ve spent decades in this industry. These are people who’ve trained, ridden, coached, and lived the sport on the highest levels. Honestly, most of the time we actually have to convince them to come on board, because their knowledge is too valuable to let sit on the sidelines.

And let me tell you, being a judge at UDJC isn’t your average gig. It’s not about sitting quietly, writing down a score, and moving on to the next rider. Our judges have a much bigger role. They’re out there giving feedback all day long—150 to 200 comments on a busy day. That means thinking fast, noticing details instantly, and being able to put what they see into clear, constructive words. You can’t do that unless you are absolutely amazing at what you do.

Now here’s the thing: We don’t “educate” judges from scratch. If you come into UDJC, you’re already a horseman, already successful, already respected in your field. What we do is bring everyone onto the same page of being a judge. We’ve created one of the most detailed and advanced standards out there: the UDJC Judges Guidelines Book. It’s over a hundred pages long and it lays out exactly how to judge each class, what comments to give, how to keep things fair, consistent, and useful for the riders.

The certification process is tough, and it’s supposed to be. New judges spend days in education sessions, then shadow and assist real judges at live shows before they’re even allowed to test. And once they pass, the work isn’t over. Continued education is built into the system. Our judges keep coming back for workshops, discussions, and updates, making sure they stay sharp and that the standard never drifts.

This is why UDJC feels different. Riders and trainers walk away not just with a ribbon, but tons of feedback that they can actually use. And that feedback comes from the best of the best: people who know what they’re talking about, and who care about the development of riders and horses just as much as we do.

At the end of the day, our judges aren’t just scorekeepers. They’re mentors. They’re protectors of the standard. They’re partners in the long-term growth of this sport. That’s a big responsibility, and it’s exactly why we take judge certification so seriously and why we love our judges so much!