When judging conformation, sometimes the top horse will be the most obvious, but if not, I may reverse the process and start with identifying which horse in the class shows the least positives. That was the case with this class of young reining mares. The first and second-place mares were more difficult to separate than the second and third-place pair, so I determined my third-place horse first. Then I looked carefully at my top two and applied the judging criteria of balance, structural correctness, breed and sex characteristics, and muscling. 

The first and second-place mares are alike in many positive traits, but also enough different that the first-place mare became clear. Her balance and structure are just a bit better than the second-place mare, and since they are mares, I considered how feminine they appear, which falls under the breed and sex characteristics category. Among the considerations for judges of conformation is preserving breed type, so I select horses that come closest to that ideal.

Can you place this class? Study each mare below — click any photo to enlarge it for a closer look. Then use the 1st / 2nd / 3rd buttons (or drag a photo up to your scorecard) to place the class. Submit to see your score and the judge’s full reasoning.

Your Placing
The Lineup — study each mare
Your Score

How the Judge Approached This Class
Judge’s Commentary
Official Placing
The Judge’s Reasoning — Mare by Mare

Read the full article on Horse&RiderFull judge’s commentary, conformation tips, and more.

Read Full Article →

Marvin Kapushion operates Kapushion Training in Whitewater, Colorado, with his wife, Sue. They offer all-around training from reining horses to pleasure horses and everything in between. As a judge, he holds cards with the AQHA, APHA, ApHC, and NSBA, and has judged many major events in the U.S. as well as internationally.

To submit a photo of your horse to be evaluated in Conformation Clinic, send us a left-side profile photo of your horse (for digital photos: high-resolution, 300 dpi, in at least 3″ x 5″) to  HorseandRider@equinenetwork.com with your contact info and your horse’s breed, age, gender, and height. (We welcome all breeds!)

How to Take a Good Conformation Clinic Photo

—H&R—