Mare A

➞ This mare isn’t as nicely balanced as Mare C, being longer in her middle third and shorter in her front and hind thirds. She’s level in her topline, though, which earns her second place, and will enable her to perform better than Mare B. She’s sufficiently strong through her back, and I like the depth of her heartgirth.

Her head is pleasant, though a little long in the ears. Her throatlatch is trimmer than the first-place mare’s, but her neck is short—considerably shorter on the bottom than on the top—and ties in to a steep shoulder, which sets her up for more knee action than ideal. This mare also lacks length and substance in her hip.

Her front pasterns are long and low and don’t match her steep shoulders. She’s also slightly calfkneed (back at the knee), which may lead to soundness issues. Her hind legs look good with low hocks and a good set (angle), which will enable her to drive from her hind end.