What UDJC Horse Shows Are Really Like
If you’re thinking about attending your first United Dressage & Jumping Club (UDJC) horse show, you’re probably wondering:
What’s the environment like?
How does the schedule work?
Is it welcoming for new riders?
Will I know what I’m doing when I get there?
The short answer?
Show up with an open mind — and trust that once you arrive, everything will fall into place.
As the official photographer for UDJC shows across the country, I’ve watched hundreds of riders walk into their first UDJC show with the “I don’t know what to expect” feeling… and leave smiling, confident, and already planning their next show.
Every single person who attended a UDJC show in the first year was once in your shoes — and they all showed up anyway.
And they’re so glad they did.
First Things First — The UDJC Environment Is Genuinely Welcoming
UDJC shows are built around one core mission: creating a positive, supportive environment where horses and riders can learn, grow, and enjoy showing again.
I always say the crowd UDJC attracts is the nicest group of people you’ll ever meet at a horse show.
(And I joke that if you encounter anything else at UDJC — let me know so I can take care of it. 😄)
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Don’t stress about doing everything perfectly.
Everyone is there to help.
UDJC is not out to get riders – I remember growing up showing and being disqualified after one of the best rides of my life because the TD decided my dressage whip was 1/8th of an inch too long. The same dressage whip I had showed the entire year had magically grown…I was devastated. That my friends is not the environment at UDJC shows. I promise nobody is out to get you, they want you to sucede.
You might be tempted to come “just watch” your first show before signing up — but trust me, you’ll wish you brought your horse along and jumped right in.
Want to see where shows there are shows happening this year? View the UDJC Show Schedule here.
Warm-Up Days — Structured, Calm, and Actually Useful
UDJC warm-up days are one of the biggest things riders fall in love with.
They’re scheduled — but laid back.
They’re organized — but not chaotic.
No crowded warm-up rings.
No chaos of horses flying everywhere.
Instead, riders get:
🏇 Jumper Warm-Up Trips
Paid warm-up trips in the jumper ring where you ride around the actual course in a show-like setting.
🏇 Hunter Warm-Up Over Fences Classes
Typically offered the first day of the show along with your flat class- some shows may also offer paid hunter warm ups on warm up days.
🏇 Dressage Schooling
Riders are welcome to school in the dressage arena.
View the UDJC Prize Lists for both Foundation & Circuit Shows here. Although each show may vary slightly based on the organizer these prize lists are a great starting place to get an idea of how each show runs.
Clinics With Judges & David Reichert
Warm-up days also feature clinics taught by:
• UDJC judges
• David Reichert himself – and sometimes you might get a special guest!
These clinics are incredible learning opportunities where riders get real feedback on what judges are looking for during the show.
You sign up for clinics just like regular classes when registering, and you’re grouped with riders at your same level — making it comfortable and productive.
A Strong Focus on Horse Welfare
Horse welfare is a huge part of UDJC’s mission.
That’s why:
✅ Horses are limited to 3 classes per day
✅ Warm-ups are structured and strategic
✅ No over-schooling or endless lunging
Horses can be shared between riders (like school horses), as long as they aren’t entered in more than three classes in one day.
The goal is to keep horses happy, sound, and enjoying their jobs.
Did you know that UDJC also allows bitless bridles at their shows?
Cross-Entering Is Encouraged (And So Much Fun)
One of the coolest parts of UDJC shows is how much they encourage riders to try new disciplines.
You might see:
• Jumpers riding dressage tests
• Hunters trying style jumping classes
• Dressage riders entering cross-rail jumper classes
Examples of the type of classes you might want to enter:
🏇 Jumper rider: 2 jumper classes + 1 dressage class
🏇 Hunter rider: hunter division + a style jumping class
🏇 Dressage rider: 2 dressage tests + a jumper class
And yes — you can ride dressage in your jumping tack.
There is ZERO judgment.
I’ve watched hunters win dressage classes without ever having a dressage lesson after a few trips in the dressage ring and learning what the judges are looking for- and after that I watched their flat work improve leaps and bounds in the hunter ring too.
I’ve watched 1.30m jumpers ride next to 3rd level dressage horses in dressage ability classes — with both riders leave grinning ear to ear.
Here is a breakdown of the Dressage Levels from the UDJC Website. You will find two class types in the dressage ring- Ability & Benchmark Tests so make sure you read more on the website about the differences in these two class types.
Here is a breakdown of the Jumper Levels from the UDJC Website. As you move through the jumper levels the courses become more complex and more jumps are added to the course. Starting with the Pre B class you an expect 4 jumps with ground poles that are jumped from the trot for beginner riders or inexperienced horses- at each level the course is added to, as the height goes up in order to make the course more complex for the higher levels. I love how friendly those Pre B/B levels are for getting started in the show ring and building confidence.
Here is a breakdown of the Hunter Levels from the UDJC Website. All courses in the hunter ring are relatively similar other than the height as you progress through the levels which is why the hunter graphic is so simple.
Class Structure & Daily Schedule
All classes are offered each day of the show – some shows might only have Dressage and Jumpers due to space limitations- the larger facilities will have Hunters, Jumpers, and Dressage.
In the jumper ring, class formats may change day to day — for example:
• One day might be jump-off type class for the .95s
• Another day might be Joker classes for the .95s (a crowd favorite!)
You can find detailed explanations of class types in the UDJC rule book – and each show’s specific classes will be listed on the entry website.
Everyone Competes Together (No Pro/Am Split)
At UDJC:
✔ Pros
✔ Amateurs
✔ Kids
All compete in the same classes.
But performance levels ensure fairness — riders competing below their usual level are pulled aside for placings, so no one has high level riders stealing ribbons in a cross rails class. Performance levels require an entirely different post so I will save that for a later post. Check the UDJC website for more details on those levels.
And the best part?
Everyone gets to compete on the same days — no missing work for those ammys just to ride. Something UDJC also does when possible is they will run their weekday show scheduled in reverse – so if you attend a show on a Friday the lower classes go at the end of the day to hopefully allow kiddos who are showing to attend school in the morning and come to the horse show later in the day if they are local.
Showing One Day or the Whole Show
Riders can:
• Show one day
• Multiple days
• Or the full show
The exception is hunters if you want to compete in the division, since the division is spread across multiple days (flat, warm-up, handy, and over fences).
Group Portions in Some Classes
In certain classes like:
• Dressage Ability Classes
• Style jumping up to E* (.60–.65)
Riders will:
✔ Enter the arena in small groups for a group portion where the judge will ask the group to do specific things such as walk, trot, canter, change directions, or show your two point position.
✔ Rider Perform individual rounds after the group portion- riders will stay in the arena and watch the other members of their group perform their individual portion.
Judges may adjust how these group classes for safety and request that riders canter individually instead of in a group —to keep everyone safe if they notice there are more timid horses or some spicy horses.
The Victory Gallop (Don’t You Dare Skip It)
Every class ends with an awards ceremony — and a victory lap around the arena.
As your photographer, I’m giving you fair warning:
I expect Grand Prix-level celebrations.
Hoop.
Holler.
Cheer for your friends.
Smile like you just won the Olympics.
Even if you’re a 40-year-old mom who just placed third in cross rails — that is absolutely worth celebrating.
And yes… we get some of the BEST photos and reels during these moments.
My Best Advice for Your First UDJC Show
If I could boil it down to four things:
1️⃣ Sign up for a clinic and warm-up day
They fill up fast and are 100% worth it.
2️⃣ Try something new
Enter one class outside of your comfort zone.
3️⃣ Come with an open mind and go with the flow
You’ll learn.
You’ll grow.
You might fall in love with something new.
4️⃣ Check the show schedule and show up for your classes on time
Schedules are posted on the entry website leading up to the show and updated as needed throughout the weekend. Keeping an eye on your class times will help everything run smoothly — and make sure you don’t miss your moment in the ring!
Bonus Tip:
UDJC shows use re-usable numbers at their shows- so you can grab one before the show and use the same number at every single show. If you don’t have a reusable number the show office should have some available for purchase.
UDJC horse shows aren’t just competitions — they’re experiences built around learning, community, and enjoying time with your horse.
If you’ve been on the fence about trying one, consider this your sign to go for it.
And don’t forget we will be there to capture the memories along the way. 😉
If you have questions about UDJC shows feel free to drop a comment on this post and we will reply.
Want to See the UDJC Experience for Yourself?
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