Become a
UDJC Certified Riding School
There is a problem in our industry that good trainers have been working around for far too long....
We teach a child to sit correctly.
We teach balance, rhythm, feel, patience, responsibility, and respect for the horse.
We spend years teaching them how to ride a thoughtful, balanced course.
We tell them that good riding and good horsemanship matters.
Then we take them to a horse show and have to tell them something completely different.
Now go faster to get a blue ribbon!
Now forget the quality of the turn because the clock matters more!
Now let the trainer manufacture the horse to the point that you barely have to ride at all.
Stay out of the way, make no real decisions, and still be rewarded with the blue ribbon!
​​​​​​​​That makes no sense. The correct riding, horsemanship, and values we teach at home have to be the same things that are rewarded in the show ring. If they are not, we are asking children to choose between being well educated and being successful. They should never have to make that choice.
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That is why UDJC Certified Riding Schools exist.
We Cannot Fix This Alone
There are excellent trainers all over this country teaching children the right way. But one trainer cannot change an industry. If we want better riding, better horsemanship, better horse welfare, and better competition, the good schools have to work together. The riding school and the horse show cannot operate as two completely different worlds. What we teach Monday through Friday has to remain relevant on Saturday. If a child learns to ride a correct 65 cm course at home, the show should reward that education. We should not suddenly tell the rider that success now means running as fast as possible. If we teach independence, then competition should give us a chance to see what the rider can actually do. If we teach horsemanship, it should matter. If we say the horse comes first, the system has to prove that we mean it. That is the change UDJC is trying to create. And Certified Riding Schools are the foundation of it.
A Real
Education System
The UDJC Riding School pathway gives students a clear progression from their first pony experience into serious riding and competition.
It is built around four educational levels.
Unicorn creates a positive first relationship with ponies through confidence, balance, coordination, safety, and playful learning. We start kids as young as 3.
Level B builds the beginner rider through correct walk and trot fundamentals, position, steering, rhythm, control, and independence.
Level E develops the rider further through stronger flatwork, Dressage basics, jumping education, theory, and increased responsibility for the horse.
Level A brings those pieces together into a more advanced riding school education, with greater feel, technical understanding, horsemanship, independence, and preparation for the performance pathway.
Students do not move up because they have been riding for a certain number of months.
They move up because they are ready.
Riding Alone
Is Not Enough
We do not want to produce children who can ride a course but cannot properly care for the horse underneath them.
Every level includes weekly horsemanship education provided by UDJC.
Students learn about care, safety, equipment, behavior, welfare, theory, responsibility, and practical barn knowledge.
As they become better riders, they should also become better horse people.
That has always been part of real equestrian education.
We are simply making it important again.
Badge Shows Give Education a Purpose
Students need goals.
Badge Shows give them something meaningful to work toward and allow them to prove that they are ready for the next stage.
They earn their Unicorn, B, E, and A Badges by demonstrating the riding and horsemanship expected at that level.
That creates something many riding programs are missing.
Progress that a child can understand.
Achievement that a parent can see.
A reason to keep learning.
And an introduction to competition that still feels like education.
Then We Take That Education to the Show
The Riding School system does not end at the barn gate.
That is the entire point.
UDJC competition is built to continue the same education.
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Correct riding matters.
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The rider matters.
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Horsemanship matters.
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Horse welfare matters.
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Judge feedback matters.
As riders progress, the pathway can continue through UDJC shows, Performance Levels, rankings, Circuit Shows, and Championships.
A child should be able to look ahead and see where all of this work is going.
Not simply toward the next ribbon.
Toward becoming a real rider.
Your School Still Belongs to You
UDJC is not a franchise.
You keep your business, your brand, your pricing, your staff, and your existing programs.
A large riding school can continue operating other parts of its program while also offering the UDJC system.
But certification has to mean something.
If you call yourself a UDJC Certified Riding School, the program has to exist in real life.
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The four levels have to be offered.
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The curriculum has to be taught.
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Horsemanship has to be part of the program.
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Badge Shows have to happen.
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Students have to have access to the larger UDJC pathway.
A logo on a website is not certification.
The education behind it is.
Build a Professional School
Families should be able to visit your website and understand your program, the UDJC levels, how students progress, and where the pathway can lead.
Behind the scenes, professional software should make running the school easier.
Scheduling, billing, riders, horses, staff, attendance, communication, and daily administration should not live in ten different notebooks and text message threads.
UDJC works with technology providers including OnStride and Hopoti to help schools create a stronger digital foundation.
The purpose is simple.
Spend less time fighting administration and more time building riders.
This Is a Movement
We are not trying to collect hundreds of barns so we can put dots on a map.
We are trying to bring together the trainers and schools who believe this industry can be better.
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People who believe good riding should still win.
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People who believe a child should learn to ride, not simply learn how to produce a ribbon.
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People who believe horsemanship is part of the sport.
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People who believe the horse is a partner, not a piece of equipment.
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People who believe education and competition should finally start pulling in the same direction.
If you agree with that, then you already understand what UDJC Certified Riding Schools are about.
If we want to change what happens in the show ring, we have to start with what happens in the riding school.
And we have to do it together.
If you believe in that future, come build it with us.
What You Commit To
As a UDJC Certified Riding School, you agree to:
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Offer the UDJC pathway with Unicorn, Level B, Level E, and Level A
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Teach the full UDJC riding school curriculum
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Teach the provided weekly horsemanship topics
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Use the official Badge system for student progression
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Host at least three Badge Shows per year
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Maintain strong standards for riding education, horsemanship, horse welfare, and safety
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Present the UDJC program clearly on your website
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Make sure your trainers understand and follow the UDJC educational standards
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Support the idea that the correct riding and horsemanship taught at home should also be rewarded in competition
What You Receive
GOLD
$3,000 per year
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Official UDJC Certified Riding School tile
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Listing in the UDJC Riding School Search
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One free tack stall at UDJC Circuit Shows
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Permission to host official Badge Shows
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Full UDJC Riding School Curriculum
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Weekly horsemanship class materials
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Trainer Requirements and Education Book
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The Million Dollar Riding School book
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Parent brochures and trial evaluation sheets
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Monthly Certified Riding School group call
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Member discounts from UDJC partners
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Social media features and school spotlights
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Complete marketing toolkit
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Private business consultation call every quarter
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Preferred placement in the UDJC Riding School Search
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Custom 3 × 24 ft banner displayed at UDJC Circuit Shows
The Gold Package adds significantly more marketing exposure and individual business support.
What You Receive
SILVER
$1,000 per year
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Official UDJC Certified Riding School tile
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Listing in the UDJC Riding School Search
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One free tack stall at UDJC Circuit Shows
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Permission to host official Badge Shows
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Full UDJC Riding School Curriculum
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Weekly horsemanship class materials
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Trainer Requirements and Education Book
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The Million Dollar Riding School book
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Parent brochures and trial evaluation sheets
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Monthly Certified Riding School group call
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Member discounts from UDJC partners
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Social media features and school spotlights
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The Silver Package gives you the complete professional UDJC Certified Riding School program.
How Becoming Certified Works
Ready to Be Part of It?
We are not looking for every riding school.
We are looking for trainers and programs that believe in the same things we do!
If that sounds like your school, let’s talk.
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Book a 20 minute Certified Riding School call and see if we both think that we’re a good match.
BOOK YOUR 20 MINUTE CALL