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The UDJC
Young Horse Championships

Fall 2025 – Final in January 2026
Great Southwest Equestrian Center, Katy, TX

proudly sponsored by 
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The UDJC Young Horse Championships is a new initiative by the United Dressage & Jumping Club to promote the development of talented 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old horses across Dressage, Jumping, and Hunter disciplines. Focused on correct training, quality, and long-term horse welfare, this series offers young horses a top-quality, low-cost opportunity to gain experience, exposure, and recognition in a professional yet nurturing competition environment.

This series is modeled on successful European systems and brings a structured pathway for evaluating and rewarding promising young sport horses in the U.S. All classes are judged on the performance, the quality and age appropriate development of the horse.

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Thanks to the generous support of the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, we're able to offer discounted stalls for all horses competing in the Young Horse Championship.

The Format
Divisions & Tests

Dressage

(Rule Book Article 209)

• 4-Year-Olds: UDJC 4-Year-Old Test

• 5-Year-Olds: UDJC 5-Year-Old Test

• 6-Year-Olds: UDJC 6-Year-Old Test

Jumping

(Rule Book Chapter 13)

• 4-Year-Olds: 65 cm

• 5-Year-Olds: 85 cm

• 6-Year-Olds: 1.05 m

Hunters

(Rule Book Chapter 30)

• 4-Year-Olds: UDJC Young Hunters Class

• 5-Year-Olds: 2’6” Over Fences

• 6-Year-Olds: 2’9” Over Fences

Qualifying Events

All qualifiers take place at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX.

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  • Back from Summer Show,  September 2025
     

  • Hello Fall Show, October 2025
     

  • This Time of Year Show,  December 2025
     

Thursday 
- Optional Warm-Up Class
Friday 
- Regular Class (non-qualifier)

Saturday 
- Official Young Horse Qualifier

Qualification System

To be eligible for the Finals, a horse must:

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  • Compete in at least 2 of the 3 qualifying shows
     

  • Earn an average score high enough to place in the top 10 of its age group within its discipline
     

  • OR score 8.0 or higher in any qualifier to automatically qualify

Final Event

The top ten horses of each division will compete in the Finals at the New Year Show, January 2026, also held at GSEC.
 

  • All qualified horses participate for no class cost
     

  • All entries are placed
     

  • Prize money awarded to the top 5 horses in each division
     

  • Judging includes detailed feedback and celebration of correct, horse-friendly development

Key Values of the Series

  • Accessibility: The final classes are free of charge and all competing horses receive discounted stall fees throughout all qualifying events and the finals 
     

  • Quality: Horses are judged on developmentally appropriate tests and courses
     

  • Structure: A consistent format encourages long-term training goals
     

  • Recognition: Finals are treated as a prestigious capstone to the season, with awards and professional exposure
     

Why This Matters

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The UDJC Young Horse Series is more than a set of classes, it is a model for better, more ethical sport horse development. By combining affordability, expert judging, and a structured pathway, the series gives young horses the stage they deserve while encouraging riders and trainers to prioritize quality training from the beginning.

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