Edited Press Release
Stillwater, NY – 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. 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.”
