Are We Raising Riders or Buying Ribbons? with David Reichert of UDJC

Are horse shows teaching kids to become better riders or just rewarding expensive horses and polished rounds?

In this episode, Angie sits down with David Reichert, founder of the United Dressage and Jumping Club (UDJC), to talk about the gaps he sees in the current U.S. equestrian system and why he created an alternative focused on horsemanship, rider development, affordability, and grit.

David shares his perspective on everything from hunter and jumper culture to dressage fundamentals, horse show costs, trainer influence, rider education, and why he believes kids should learn multiple disciplines instead of specializing too early.

They also discuss:

• Whether horse shows are rewarding horses more than riders
• Why many kids aren’t learning horsemanship fundamentals
• Why “grit” matters more than convenience in this sport
• The pressure trainers face within the current system
• How UDJC approaches rider development differently
• Why parents often feel overwhelmed entering the horse world
• What horse moms should actually focus on long term

Whether you agree with all of David’s opinions or not, this conversation raises important questions about what we want our kids to gain from this sport and how the horse world could evolve moving forward.

Resources Mentioned United Dressage and Jumping Club (UDJC)

• https://www.udjc.org/
• https://www.instagram.com/udjclub/

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