Griffith Is Grand at Saratoga Classic I

The Saratoga Classic I Horse Show awarded its first hunter championships on Thursday, June 12, 2025, including the Grand Hunter Championship, which was presented to Divine Romance, owned by Hallowell Lane Farm LLC, and Patricia Griffith. In the Dammerman International Ring, Mia Bagnato and Florida M blazed to victory in the $5,000 1.35m Welcome. Held at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, NY, the Saratoga Classic I continues through Sunday, June 15, with World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition, while the Saratoga Classic II Horse Show will run the following week on June 18-22.

Griffith and Divine Romance won four out of five classes in the Green Hunter 3’6” division and were second in the remaining class to win the championship and the Grand Hunter Championship in the Bainbridge Hunter Ring. Griffith was honored as the WCHR High Score Professional Rider, and they also won the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive 3’3”/3’6”/3’9”.

Divine Romance is known as “Diva” in the barn, and the seven-year-old Oldenburg mare by Casallco has been at Heritage Farm for two years. Griffith and owner Callie Seaman took their time with the big, bay mare – she stands over 17 hands high – and it has paid off with success in 2025. Diva and Griffith won a championship during the WCHR week at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), finished fourth in the USHJA/WCHR Hunter Spectacular under the lights at WEF, and had top ribbons at the Devon Horse Show.

“She kind of mentally told us that she was careful and wanted to go that route,” said Griffith. “We're happy that we put the time in and waited because she's mature now and has really come into her own.”

Griffith described Diva as a “classical hunter ride” despite her size. “She's super light and goes in a rubber bit,” she continued. “You ride her with very little leg or hand, so she floats around and really fires at the jumps. She's an awesome horse to watch between the fences, too. With her big stride and lovely gaits, it makes the whole picture look and feel special.”

Griffith and the team from Heritage Farm, based in Katonah, NY, make the Saratoga Horse Shows a regular stop on their summer schedule, attending shows in May, June, and July.

“We love the facility,” affirmed Griffith. “It can pour down rain, and the footing is perfect. It's a great town; the customers love it. It's very quiet, so the horses, I would say, are very relaxed in general here. Management goes out of their way to make everybody happy.”

Seaman and Diva will return to the Bainbridge Hunter Ring I to contest the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunters this weekend.

Bagnato and Florida N Fly to the Win

In the Dammerman International Ring, jumper riders competed over courses designed by Manuel Esparza (MEX). The $5,000 1.35m Welcome had four clear rounds that advanced to an immediate jump-off, but it was 19-year-old professional rider Mia Bagnato of Fishkill, NY, who rode to the win on her own Florida N in 28.666 seconds.

“I thought the course overall was quite nice. I think only one person had jumped off before me, but she's quick,” said Bagnato of the 12-year-old Holsteiner mare by Clarimo x Lavall II. “She loves going fast, and sometimes I get myself in trouble because I go too fast. I just wanted to go in and go fast enough that I didn't have to worry too much or be like, ‘Shoot, I should have gone faster.’ I think I went the right amount.”

It was a good return to Saratoga Horse Shows for Bagnato and Florida N, who have shown here once before, two years ago, when they also won a class. Bagnato is in her first year as a professional at Stella Manship’s Elan Farm, but she has been training there since she was 14. She also rides for her mother, Susie Bagnato. Bagnato and Manship found Florida N two and a half years ago, and Bagnato took her on as a project horse to help the mare enjoy jumping again.

“We were focusing on making it a positive experience and for her to like me, for us to be friends,” explained Bagnato. “Now we can go and do classes like that, just have fun, and she loves doing it. When I get a horse, it's my one horse and I take care of it, and I do all the things.”

That dedicated focus has not only brought them together as partners but has created unexpected success in the show ring.

“We bought her with hopes of doing 1.30m, but this past winter, we showed in our first two-star together at TerraNova, and she ended up winning the grand prix, which was amazing. We got her with quite low expectations to make her happier and enjoy herself, and she's just kept stepping up from there. She’s really special to me. I have a knack for horses like that.”

Second place in the $5,000 1.35m Welcome went to Pepe 348, ridden and owned by Maria Yzerman, who was double clear and finished the jump-off in 29.586 seconds. Third place went to Di Dali, ridden and owned by Grace Shipman, who were clear in the jump-off in 32.187 seconds. Bagnato and Florida N will return to contest Saturday’s $25,000 Saratoga Grand Prix.

Saratoga Classic I Horse Show Highlights

Friday, June 13
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Saturday, June 14
$25,000 Saratoga Grand Prix
$10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

Sunday, June 14
President’s Cup Equitation, $1,000 Non-Pro Hunter Derby, and Grand Champion awards

Looking for horse show photos? Visit official photographer Jess Windhurst Photography at www.JessWindhurst.com to view all of your show proofs!

For more information on the Saratoga Horse Shows, visit www.saratogahorseshows.com.