Meet the L Graduate with Distinction – Stephanie Mason

January 31, 2024

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BergME (002) — Stephanie aboard her six-year-old Oldenberg gelding, Berg.

Tell us a little about yourself (your location, awards/other certifications you hold, etc):

My name is Stephanie Mason, and I am from Westampton, New Jersey. I am an L Graduate with Distinction and am currently enrolled in the USEF ‘r’ Program. I recently passed my USEF Technical Delegate (TD) Final Exam.

I graduated from Stockton College in 2009 with two bachelors in Historical Studies and Education and was certified to teach K-5, and Secondary Social Studies (grades 6-12).

How long have you been involved in the sport?

I have been riding since I was able to walk and began jumping at three years old (1989). I switched to dressage in 2002 when my Quarter Horse was diagnosed with ringbone and sidebone.

How long have you been a USDF member?

My first year of membership was in 2014.

What made you decide to participate in the USDF L Education Program?

I decided to enroll in the L Education Program to have the opportunity to be on both ends of the sport – a competitor as well as an official. I am looking forward to the future.

How long did it take to complete the program, start to finish?

My first session – Session A – was November 21-22, 2015, in Jacksonville, Florida! I completed my final in Los Angeles on October 1-2, 2016. Ten months and one week, and worth every minute!

Do you plan to further your dressage education and to continue to apply what you learned in the program to become a licensed official?

Currently, I am enrolled in the USEF ‘r’ program for October 11-13, 2024, in Lexington, Virginia, with the final being May 15-17, 2026. I also completed the USEF Dressage TD program on September 19, 2023, and look forward to being more active in the dressage competition area!

Do you serve as a judge for schooling shows in your capacity as an L Graduate? If so, on average, how many per year?

Yes, I judge two to three times a month – April to November – usually about 12 to 16 times per year.

What impact did the program have on your dressage knowledge?

The program really puts in perspective the good – the eight marks – and the not-so-good – the three and four marks. It also really shows what performances should move up to the next level and which ones need more work. As I teach and train for a living, I take into consideration, “Is this a six- or an eight-worthy circle? What are the judges looking for in the show ring?” I try to make my students and their horses the best they can be from a judge’s perspective. It also makes you feel not so bad about giving a four to a movement if something doesn’t happen or is just plain ole bad.

Name three things you took away from the program that you think every rider should know.

Session A – the biomechanics by Lois Yukins – was so valuable. It explained why horses do what they do, why we post on certain diagonals, why we slide our outside leg back for canter, etc. I think every rider should willingly take session A.

If each rider could understand and interpret the criteria and directives of each movement and level going down the centerline, the rider would know why fives are fives and eights are eights!

I also really liked the video examples of good movements, and not-so-good movements to show the physical differences, as well as the difference in gait quality.

Have you served in any other official capacity with USDF (council/committee member, council/committee chair, PM/GM delegate, board member/Regional Director, etc.)? Please describe.

I have not served in any other official capacity with USDF.

Tell us about your horse(s).

Currently, I own a two-year-old Dutch Warmblood (KWPN), Rhiannon V, who is growing nicely and showing in-hand classes in our area. I cannot wait to get her started in her three-year-old year! I also have a six-year-old Oldenburg gelding who is schooling Third Level. I retired my FEI KWPN, Obelix, in October 2021 after getting my last and final score required to enroll in the USEF ‘r’ Program! He retired at 25, competing at Intermediate 1. He now shows his young rider Delia around the Third Level ring of schooling shows at the young age of 27!