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Breanna Scores Straight Nines at the USEF/Markel Insurance Young Horse Western Dressage Selection Trial

Kathleen Raine rode Breanna to the win in the 6-year-old Final Test, and also the USEF/Markel Insurance Young Horse Western Dressage Selection Trial. Judges Jayne Ayres, Jessica Ransenhousen, and Natalie Lamping agreed that she earned scores of 9 in all five criteria.

“Today I had a little more energy, and could push for more trot,” said Raine. “She felt relaxed and energetic.”

Jennifer Mason, who is partners in Breanna with Raine and David Wightman, defined riding Breanna as “You feel like you're on a cloud, and you're floating. She is a dream. The bigger her trot gets, the more it's like you're floating.” She praised Raine's riding, saying “It warms my heart. The relationship they have is so special.”

She admitted that she cries “every time” watching Raine show the mare. About Sunday, she said, “I was crying at the beginning, the trot work—sobbing by the walk, and I felt I had to lie down by the time of the canter work!” Wightman placed second to his wife in both tests, on Brigadier. Raine said, “He picked the horse, so he has a big part of it.”

Wightman said, “We have been focusing on this show all year for Breanna, Brigadier, and Wellcome S [finished second to Big Tyme in the 5-Year-Old Selection Trial].”

Of those three young horses, he picked Breanna and Wellcome S atthe Verden Elite Auction. “I like the October auction. It's a good time of year.”

With their successes in Flintridge, the three young horses may compete in the finals. Wightman said, “Kentucky is a possibility. And we are looking at Verden [World Championships] for Breanna.”

La Canada-Flintridge, California, May 27, 2006: Kathleen Raine and David Wightman took honors for two winners at the Flintridge show—Kathleen riding Breanna and Young Rider Jaclyn Meinen on Rivaal.

In the USEF/Markel Young Horse Championship Selection Trials 6 Year Old Preliminary Test, Raine and Breanna were last to go of six entries. The elegant mare (Brentano II—Weltmeyer) earned 8.5, and was the only horse in the class to score a 9 (walk score).

“I am thrilled,” said Raine about her test. “She felt great, and she was relaxed.” She's owned the mare for two years, with the first year focused on training. Flintridge was the mare's third show.

“She started out the weekend tense,” said Raine, recalling the day before's Third Level Test 1. “I had that ride in my mind—but I am thrilled with each day, how she's settled in. She just needs the experience.”

Wightman found the mare in Germany, at the Verden Elite Auction. “It was love at first sight,” he said. “She was the only horse there I was interested in bringing home. “She had the right temperament, combined with hotness.”

Raine was in competing in California when Wightman called her from Verden. “He said, 'I found your horse. She's a cross between Avontuur and Fidelia.'” (Two top horses Raine competed.) She cites Breanna's walk and trot as “super,” and canter as “really good. We'll develop it to be as good as the walk and trot, for three equally great gaits. She is very light on her feet and elegant in her way of going.”

And how does this bay mare compare to her half-sister, Brentina? Raine names their willing attitudes and trot as the biggest similarities. “Both are sweet, and not mareish at all. Both have that airiness in their trot. With the miles, Breanna will get really reliable, like Brentina.”