FOR THE LOVE OF THE RIDE.The UDJC Young Horse Championships
Fall 2025 – Final in January 2026 Great Southwest Equestrian Center, Katy, TX
proudly sponsored by
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.
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.
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:
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
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.