See if this works:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/185oub4P9o/
The post sharing the link on their FB page.
Hey,
hereās the link to the Zoom Q&A on Saturday, Dec 28th at 11 central!
We hope to see you tomorrow or at the show at the latest!
Iāll try to log on for the Q&A. Working tomorrow but might be able to manage it.
I know people who are very interested in the UDJC proposal, as it were. They understand that they would need to be patient at the first show. They are dithering. lol I keep reminding them that there is a closing date for entries of January 3rd. So they need to decide and get their entries in, if they are going. 
I donāt have a horse to show right now so Iām just hanging out in the peanut gallery, watching everyone else.
Did anybody get involved with the vitual Q&A session this morning? Donāt do FB anymore, not in that region and likely not the only one interested.
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Iām interested too. Does anyone know if it was recorded? I meant to join and promptly forgot.
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I posted the YouTube video of todayās (12/28) Q&A session.
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Thank you for doing that.
Think anybody interested in this needs to listen to as much of that Q&A as they have time for, it does run long ( I had to stop after almost an hour) then make their own decisions.
There is a need for some changes and/or new options and I wish them wellā¦.but need to rein that guy in a bit. I get passion and he is (very) German but not sure what he describes and defends is going to fill that need.
Again, listen to that and form your own opinions.
Starting out by extolling a volunteer system that he characterizes as men driving tractors and women cooking and baking didnāt do much to win me over 
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Side reins in dressage below a certain level and having to qualify to move up in certain circumstances sort of stood out to me. As did the remark āā¦donāt care if they are 2 or 3 years old my (lesson ) kids are going to brush before they rideā. Assuming that is not exactly what he meant, he said his business takes kids as young as 2 and agreeing with him there is a lack of horsemanship amongst too many, thats still a little rough for parents thinking about getting a very young toddler involved
He has some good ideas but perhaps a Social Media advisor/publicist would be a good idea. SM does not care what you meant or present complete context. It only memorializes what you said. Forever. Smoothing strong opinions out a bit can only help introduce this new concept of showing.
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I didnāt watch the video because Iām supposed to be doing other things right nowā¦and am totally doing that, canāt you tell?
Anyway, so my only note right now is looking at the class list, in order to break into my little corner of the world, the show will have to be able to be one day. Even our recognized Events are usually one day and two day ones are often split by division, not the classes split (As in Beginner Novice one day, Novice the other - not Dressage one day, Jumping another - though that does occur, itās just as common to see it the other way - this is not including FEI levels).
Anyway, I donāt see anyone paying for essentially an āunrecognizedā (by USEA) show to have to go to dressage one day and jumping the next unless they were only doing one or the other.
The other note is that barns already band together and form little show circuits in the area - in the dressage, CT, and hunter/jumper area (separately, not generally together) there are all little unrecognized show circuits.
Well hopefully it takes off and even if it is never really a thing in my corner of the world, it helps some people get out and enjoy competing (if thatās their thing) in a more cost effective way.
I only made it through the first 50 minutes or so. The first substantive thing that stood out to me was the idea that all excellent riders are qualified to be judges but no one without an excellent riding/competition (and apparently at least preferably German or European) background could be a good judge. I do not see the two skill sets is entirely overlapping, and I would be concerned about an organization that adopts that view. The second substantive thing is trying to understand the ways in which he views the current age-group and other (short stirrup) equitation divisions as deficient. Note that Iām not implying I think they are the ideal. But he seems to not acknowledge their existence at all. Iād like to understand what he thinks are wrong with those divisions that he is trying to address and correct in his style classes. Short stirrup equitation is certainly a way for young kids to get in the ring at less than 70 cm and be judged on form and function. What is the problem with short stirrup equitation or similar low level equitation classes that his new classes will correct?
I also find the wholesale dismissal and distain for the American riding scene off-putting. There are real problems and new ideas are welcome. But the idea that everything is wrong with the system, and it can only be fixed by those with āgenerational knowledgeā is not only arrogant, but also ignorant of some of the strengths of the system.
(I donāt mind teaching toddlers to groom along with their riding lessons. I think it probably helps them be more comfortable around the horses and develops lots of other valuable skills and habits. So long as the parents understand that the toddler program is a combination of unmounted and mounted activities, And of course itās presented in an age-appropriate safe way, that seems like a good thing to me. Sort of how many pre-k programs involve kids in preparing and cleaning up after snacks. Done right, nearly anything can be fun ā and educational ā for that age group. Whether or not itās what parents want is another question, but I guess he has found a market!)
And while it is not everyoneās preference, a lot of what he seems to value can be found in lower level eventing. Kids learn dressage and jump jumping. They learn independence and are expected to be able to get themselves into the ring on time when there are scheduling conflicts. Thereās a lot of camaraderie and most take care of their own horses. And itās a lot cheaper! My broader point is that this new organization could be built to complement and improve upon what already exists, rather than in judgment and opposition.
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I listened to the whole thing. And read as much of their material on their site, and the Great SW site, as I could.
I think that for riders who feel that the current system doesnāt work well for them, what they are saying sounds like a great alternative. Their challenge is to make it happen.
I think there are some realities of American showing vs German cultural assumptions that will be encountered. To make this succeed, the UDJC will need to be flexible to understand. Probably all solvable, if it is thought through.
From reading their material, as well as their show classlist, the ādivisionā system in American shows is different from this approach. For those of us who automatically-default think in terms of American divisions, it is going to take some re-thinking to understand what they are offering.
Will be very interested in how this first show goes, from various perspectives. Is anyone going who can report back to this thread? Or knows someone who is going?
Have the most interest in feedback from those showing who are from outside of the UDJC bubble. Those who are already āinsidersā probably have a lot more understanding of it than do the rest of us. How easy will it be for āoutsidersā to understand what is going on, once they are on the show grounds? How patient will UJDC staff be when a shower is confused, or just has other expectations than what UDJC intends?
I think that once it is familiar, understanding their class / division approach wonāt be such a challenge. But becoming familiar does mean some commitment to this new process.
At this moment in time, I think people not already invested are sampling rather than committing. UDJC communications to their intended audience are going to be key to acceptance.
Iām very interested to see what trainers show up. Houston has plenty of local level barns. But this concept is pretty divergent from anything else. And thereās 2 fairly significant local circuits plus other smaller local circuits. So quite a few options already. It will be interesting to see if this format catches on.
Truthfully, if my little project mare was far enough along, Iād be tempted to take her. Seems like a low cost way to introduce her to the facility and see how she handles everything. But everything Iāve heard them say is really focused on beginner kids. We will see if any adults give it a try.
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How are you dealing with people who are suspended or sanctioned from Safesport? Are you going to be checking that list against entries or allowing sanctioned individuals at your competition?
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No requirement that they do so or follow any other rules as they are operating outside of any regulating organization.
He clearly said side reins are acceptable in lower level dressage so how about 1/2cc of Ace?
Finished watching the last of it, clearly would not be welcome nor would any friends still actively showing looking for less expensive options for schooling, rehab or just some tune up miles on 3ā Hunters. He views Hunters and their riders with great disdain and if I understand what he specifically said correctly, I would not not be interested in having to pay extra time(an extra day?) and money to qualify for a few 2ā6ā-3ā Hunter courses via dressage classes to prove my worth as a rider. IMO, most older Hunter riders dwelling around 3ā would feel the same way. Most cannot ride 6 days a week either as he proclaims is necessary.
On a constructive note, he seems centered on beginner and 1.2m+ riders. Beginners do not stay beginners and most riders never advance to 1.2m+ nor do their horses. Right now this sounds like a multi day clinic type experience with a day before the show clinic with the judges then a short critique after their rounds on show day(s)over the public address system as rider exits the ring. There is a huge need for something to replace the old B and C circuit weekend shows and one day schooling shows. IMO there could be something halfway profitable for average riders and their horses. Might pay to rethink some of these plans. Last decent regional shows I worked at could not fill anything over 3ā and scraped to fill thoseā¦maybe some market research oh who will pay to attend these then tailor towards them?
Again, there are some good ideas and there is a great need for some of it but not sure this format is going to generate big enough turnouts. Subtract the hundreds of riding students he has and will bring, how big is the pool of potential exhibitors for this experience?
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This is what I was wondering. How will this format compete against the more traditional, established local circuits? Theyāre affordable and offer familiar divisions and decent awards, and help prepare horses and riders to segue into the major show scene, if thatās their goal. UDJC is a whole different concept and Iām not sure itāll attract enough of those riders.
The UDJC format reminds me of a combined test, and is something I wouldāve taken our baby WBs to just to get them into a competition environment. But I get the feeling that this guyās primary motivation for creating this organization is due to a sour grapes attitude.
He says (paraphrasing) that after taking his students/clients to shows-- and apparently not doing well and being frustrated with the scores and results-- he tried to convince different boards to change because the system in the US is not good.
I will freely acknowledge that the horse show scene in America needs change and improvement in numerous areas. But it seems that rather than working within the system for those changes (like becoming a member and getting on local boards), heās taking his toys home and making his own sandbox.
Good luck with that.
While I appreciate his passion, I think heāll ultimately have to fine-tune the structure of his shows to better complement what American riders have come to expect. Of course, I could be wrong. I guess weāll see.
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This reminds me of a meme about cooking at home being womenās work, but professional kitchenās are run by the most egotistical a$$hole youāve ever met in charge of a squad of drug dealing felons whoāve all fathered six children.
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Iām going to say this as someone with zero interest in ever attending a show.
There are threads, upon threads, upon threads here about how people get involved and none of that stuff ever does anything; the national governing body has no intentions of listening to the little guy in any capacity and are only interested in the multiple $$$$ horse crowd that can snowbird in Wellington for half a year. And the creators of this organization have been doing the rated show scene, so it seems that theyāve check marked the member and local org box.
The idea might not work. It might not be a good idea. But they have at least done something.
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