Big Tyme Tops Western Selection Trial at the the USEF/Markel Insurance Young Horse Western Dressage Selection Trial
Photos and Text by Charlene Strickland

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.”

Photo: Kathlene Raine, Jayne Ayers, Natalie Lamping,Lisa and John Seger of Markel, and Jessica Ransehousen.

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 at the 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.”

HorsesDaily "On the Scene" at Dressage at Flintridge