Thermal, Calif. – October 28, 2026 – Amanda Gomez and Charly-Ann picked up right where they left off at Desert International Horse Park on Wednesday, October 28. The pair kicked off the new 2026-2027 season in the desert with a win in the $10,000 Visit Greater Palm Springs 1.35m Welcome Speed, held as part of National Sunshine Series 1, presented by Kubota.
Gomez and Charly-Ann are no strangers to the DIHP winner’s circle, and their time of 63.000 seconds over a Guilherme Jorge-designed course is what earned them another trip there on Wednesday evening.
Michelle Berry and Thank You RS, owned by Professional Maintenance Systems, held the lead in the opening-day class until Gomez entered the Grand Prix Stadium, and the pair ultimately finished in second place on a time of 64.460 seconds. Berry also took home third place with a time of 64.531 aboard Professional Maintenance System’s Kaboem HH Z.
“We love to be in the desert, and I think this mare especially – more than anyone – really, really enjoys being here,” said Gomez of Charly-Ann, owned by Rising Star Equestrian. “Thankfully, she jumps even better under the lights than she does during the day, so I knew it would be a good class for her. I walked the course, and I loved it for her as well. Her natural foot speed is so, so quick.”
A late draw in the 29-horse order also gave Gomez a clear picture of the time to beat.
“It was a competitive enough class, so going later in the order, I kind of knew exactly what I had to do and hoped that the end of the class held off,” she said. “Thankfully, that’s what ended up happening tonight.”
Leading up to the new season at DIHP, Gomez, of Norco, California, spent part of the summer in Florida, where Charly-Ann contested several U25 classes. After returning home in June, the 15-year-old Holsteiner mare jumped only a select few classes in California in order to stay fresh for the DIHP season.
“It’s been a fairly light end of the summer for her, just kind of targeting this circuit,” explained Gomez. “I know that she performs so well here, so I try not to waste her legs anywhere else. We all enjoy being here, and I think that showed tonight. It was a beautiful night and just a lovely horse.”
National Sunshine Series 1, presented by Kubota, continues through Sunday, November 1, with featured highlights including Saturday night’s $100,000 Kubota Grand Prix. For full results from the $10,000 Visit Greater Palm Springs 1.35m Welcome Speed, click here. To view the full competition schedule and learn more about Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.