Violin and Blue Moon Are In Tune, Bel Air Is a Prince for Klemann at Saratoga Classic I

In just their first competition together, Christy Violin and Blue Moon were perfectly in tune to win the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Championship on Sunday, June 15, 2025, the final day of the Saratoga Classic I Horse Show. The Grand Pony Hunter Championship was awarded to Bel Air, ridden by Beatrice Klemann for Mary Kate George. Held at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, NY, competition continues with the Saratoga Classic II Horse Show on June 18-22.

Despite having only been together for three weeks, Violin, of Sherburne, MA, and Blue Moon stepped into the Bainbridge Hunter Ring and struck a chord with the judges to win all four over fences classes and fifth place under saddle to win the championship in the Adult Amateur 36-49 Hunter division. Their 41 points easily handed them the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Championship, for which they were presented with the Gary Zook Memorial Perpetual Adult Amateur Hunter Award. Earlier in the week, Violin’s trainer, Sara Taylor, and Blue Moon were harmonious in the Performance Hunter 3’3” division to win the championship.

Violin and Taylor found Blue Moon in Aiken, SC, and it was love at first jump. “I had a horse that was getting ready to retire, and I loved him immediately,” said Violin, who is leasing him from owner Isla Roen. “He really just fell in our laps. I got on, jumped a few jumps, and I was like, ‘This is amazing.’ I’m super, super thankful.”

“Honestly, he's a dream,” she went on to describe the nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by UT Majeur de Brecey. “He's really soft in your hand. He has a huge stride and plenty of scope. You could set your watch to his canter. He's incredible.”

Saratoga Horse Shows are a regular stop on Violin’s show schedule since she grew up just 20 minutes away and has been competing at the different versions of the show since she was 12 years old. The current show at White Hollow Farm is a favorite.

“I think they've done a really nice job with the facility over time, and it's getting nicer and nicer,” she said. “It's a great location. Obviously, anytime you can come to Saratoga is incredible because there's so much to do. Personally, I also love that it's close to my family, so I can bring my kids, and we can visit with their grandparents. For me, it's a great horse show to come to as often as we can.”

Bel Air Is a Prince for Klemann in Grand Pony Hunter Championship

The Grand Pony Hunter Champion was Bel Air, ridden by Beatrice Klemann and owned by Mary Kate George. The pair finished first under saddle, won the handy, won the conformation over fences, and was second and third in the remaining over fences classes to win the division championship in the Medium Pony Hunters. For their grand win, they were presented with the Diana Hall Elliott Memorial Perpetual Award, donated by Ms. Cathleen Elliott Ellington.

Twelve-year-old Klemann, from Greenwich, CT, has been riding for six years and has trained at Heritage Farm for three years. She started in Short Stirrup, showed in the Children’s Pony Hunter division, and moved up to the rated Pony Hunter divisions. She started riding Bel Air in December 2024. They competed at the Winter Equestrian Festival this past winter, but Klemann noted that this grand championship was special.

“It means a lot to me because it’s my first big win on him,” she expressed. “I think that it shows such a learning curve in riding him. I haven’t been this consistent at a show before. He’s helped me develop as a rider. It’s such an accomplishment, especially us working together and getting to know each other as Pony Finals and indoors comes up.”

“He has a nice scopey stride,” said Klemann of the 15-year-old Welsh pony gelding by Orchard Red Prince. “I really like how he helps you find the distances; you just have to keep him straight. He knows his job. Whenever I make a mistake as a rider, he lets me know and says, ‘Hey, you did this wrong.’ He has taught me a lot over the past seven months. As a pony he’s very trustworthy.”

While Bel Air demands a tax of treats or a banana to enter his stall, Klemann noted that he is still a “very sweet boy.” She added, “He really has such a character and such a great expression. He is someone who I trust to not do anything wrong around kids. He won’t bite or be naughty.”

Klemann also competed at the Saratoga Spring Horse Shows in May and appreciates that the shows have competitive riders and offer the pony hunter model classes.

“It’s nice they have the model class so that we can practice,” she said. “One of my ponies isn’t the greatest in the model, so it’s good practice for Pony Finals. Very few shows offer it.”

Saratoga Classic II Highlights – June 18-22, 2025

Thursday, June 19
$5,000 1.35m Bainbridge Welcome

Friday, June 20
$10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Saturday, June 21
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championship
$25,000 Saratoga Grand Prix

Sunday, June 22
$1,000 2’3”/2’6” Non-Pro Hunter Derby
$500 Pony Hunter Classic

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.