About
Our Desert Home
With nearly 1.6 million square feet of competition and riding space, the Desert International Horse Park is one of the largest equestrian facilities in North America. Offering 15 weeks of world-class competition from October through March, the facility is a destination location for thousands of equestrians, their horses, family and friends for several months annually. Competitors from all over the world travel to Thermal, CA to not only compete but to enjoy everything the desert has to offer.
Surrounded by the beauty of picturesque mountains, the Desert International Horse Park is close to Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, La Quinta, Coachella and more unique places to discover. The area is known for its resort lifestyle with a selection of fine dining, art & film festivals, golf & tennis, outdoor adventures, and wonderful warm, dry weather in the winter months. As the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau claims, come #findyouroasis in the desert.
Our Team
Finding a fantastic team that puts horses first, while having a keen focus on the rider, trainer, owner, and sponsor experience, is a key aspect of our vision. Welcoming a mix of fresh and familiar faces, our goal is to bring in individuals who specialize in creating an excellent show experience.
Having just begun to make our vision a reality in August of 2019, we now have a core group of experts to kick our plans into gear. The Desert Horse Park International team continues to grow as we seek to achieve our goals for an excellent customer experience. This section will continue to grow as our desert team comes together.
Meet Our Team
Steve Hankin
President & CEO
Pat Boyle
Show Manager
Skyler Brittner
Scheduling & Technical manager
Phil DeVita
Show Manager
Kyle Gould
Footing Manager
Ashley Keeler
Show Office Manager
Joseph Wilson
Facility Manager
Jeanette Gilbert
Events Manager
Tori Bilas
Press & Communications
Nathaniel Neubauer
Chef/Food Service
Brian Wallace
Stabling/Feed Operations
Lyn Nelson
Assistant Office Manger/Results
Announcements
Conor Swail Makes the Most of $226,000 Marshall & Sterling CSI4* Grand Prix
Conor Swail (IRL) had a big choice to make with his entry in Sunday’s $226,000 Marshall & Sterling CSI4* Grand Prix to conclude Desert Circuit IX. His choices were Theo 160, who has earned more prize money during Desert Circuit this season than in 2021 and 2022...
Avery Glynn Gives it her All in R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship
Avery Glynn wanted to end her Desert Circuit with a bang, and that she did. Saturday evening of Desert Circuit IX, she commanded the R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship, sponsored by Hayutin. Glynn, 18, sees this accomplishment right up there with some of her greatest...
Nick Haness and McQueen are Crowned Champions in $100,000 WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular
Just when you think Nick Haness has had his best day, that day gets better. Friday of Desert Circuit IX may have taken the cake as a top day for Haness in the hunter rings, culminating with a win aboard McQueen in the $100,000 WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular,...
Update Regarding EHM Cases in Southern California
Thermal, Calif. – Mar. 17, 2023 – Over the last several days, the CDFA has announced two reported cases of EHM; one in Los Angeles County and one in Riverside County. We have been in close communication with the CDFA to ensure that there was no potential for impact...
Chardonnay Ages like a Fine Wine for Robert Blanchette
Robert Blanchette looked like he was going to have a good day in the office on Carnlea Premier Balou in the $30,000 1.45m Open Classic, taking an early lead. But then his day got a whole lot better. Aboard Chardonnay, a 12-year-old Westphalian mare (Comme Il Faut x...
Consistency Paves the Way for Conor Swail in $10,000 Welcome Speed
Kicking off St. Patrick’s Day week in a very Irish fashion, Conor Swail claimed the top two spots in Wednesday’s $10,000 Whittier Trust 1.35m Welcome Speed during Desert Circuit IX, the final week of a thrilling 2023 Desert Circuit. Aboard Ikonic PB, owned by Vanessa...
Gregory Wathelet Drives Away with $145,100 Go Rentals CSI3* Grand Prix Win
Gregory Wathelet (BEL) has an ace up his sleeve. With Ace Of Hearts, Wathelet took home arguably his biggest win of Desert Circuit so far on Sunday of Desert Circuit VIII in the $145,100 Go Rentals CSI3* 1.55m Grand Prix. As one of only two clear rounds, Wathelet...
Kyle King Claims his Kingdom on Saturday at Desert Horse Park
Winning can be contagious according to Kyle King. He proved just that on Saturday of Desert Circuit VIII as he caught his own bug, winning both the $50,000 Adeptus National Grand Prix and the $38,700 Whittier Trust CSI3* 1.45m Classic. In both victories, you could say...
Desert International Horse Park Announces 2023/2024 Hunter/Jumper Show Dates
Thermal, Calif. – Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) is pleased to present the preliminary show dates for the 2023/2024 season of hunter/jumper action at its facility in Thermal, CA. With 14 weeks of competition, the season will span November 1, 2023, through...
Nick Haness Goes Two-For-Two in $50,000 Butet USHJA International Hunter Derby
If you’re feeling a bit of déjà vu from the most recent International Hunter Derby during Desert Circuit V, you’re not alone. On Friday of Desert Circuit VIII, Nick Haness piloted Estimated Prophet, owned by Roaring Fork Farms LLC, to a repeat win in the $50,000 Butet...