I think there's different things that contribute, and for sure there are things you can do to help avoid tearing, positioning and breathing etc. Having said that , sometimes you will just tear. I've had 3 VBs and with my first I grazed, second didn't tear or graze,at all and with my fourth had a second degree tear - so all different.

As for being proud about it, or competitive - some women just are I found the midwives made a big deal out of it & I was thinking 'well, I didn't really have much to do with it ' lol. But if you have worked to try & avoid it I guess you might feel a bit chuffed with yourself for achieving it.