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.

Photo – Patricia Griffith and Divine Romance, who she describes as a “classical hunter ride.” (Jess Windhurst Photography)

Winning Streak

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.

Putting in the Time

“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.

Out of their Way

“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.

Divine Romance is honored as the Grand Hunter Champion along with rider Patricia Griffith and groom Rafa Gonzalez by Sophia Long of Saratoga Horse Shows (far left) and Chris Brown (far right), sponsor of the Saratoga Award for the rider of the Grand Hunter Champion. Photo by Jess Windhurst Photography