The lighting in the arena is a significant contributing factor...the Soanaway, Washington, facility has atrocious lighting, and the top placing horses were dillutes and double dillutes -- those that showed up in a dimly lit arena.
I would put color classes with Liberty in that youi should do it primarily for the fun of it all...you really shouldn't put too much stock in either your placings or that of others. That said, I do appreciate the blues we've gotten in both color and Liberty!