conjunction reduction - Why should I have to choose between compound sentences and compound predicates?

Sheba walked to the door and she opened it.

Sheba walked to the door and opened it.

I would use a compound sentence only if the subject in the second clause is someone other than Sheba: Sheba walked to the door and (John) opened it, for I can't see any good reason for the extra one word. But sometimes subjects in both independent clauses are the same person.

I prefer the more concise Sheba walked to the door and opened it, of course, but why should I have to have options?