About

Our Desert Home
With nearly 1.3 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.
Our Team
Steve Hankin
President & CEO
A horseman and a rider himself, Steve Hankin starts with a “horses first” philosophy when it comes to the horse park. He and his wife have been avid participants of the sport on both the East and West Coasts, and he is eager to transform the equestrian community on the West Coast for the better.


Chris Mayone
Corporate Sponsorship and Customer Experience
Anyone who has spent time showing horses in the desert has had the privilege of meeting Chris Mayone. From VIP hospitality to coordinating championship events such as the USEF Junior Hunter Championships, North American Youth Championships, Longines FEI Nations Cup™ and Longines FEI World Cup™ qualifying events, Mayone has nearly two decades of experience under his belt.
Phil Devita
Show Manager
From boutique events on the West Coast, including Franktown Meadows and The Menlo Charity Horse Show, to decorated events on the East Coast, such as The American Royal and the popular series of CFHJA shows in Tampa, Phil DeVita brings a host of accolades and experience to the DIHP. He has also worn many other ‘hats’ in the sport, including as a competitor, course designer and judge.


Skyler Brittner
Stabling and Scheduling Manager
Skyler comes to DIHP as our Stabling and Scheduling Manager, bringing 15 years of equestrian experience with him. He has worked in various roles within the equestrian industry, including operations and management. Brittner approaches his work with horses first and is always aiming to create a fantastic show experience for our exhibitors.
Brett Waters
Show Office Manager
Known for customer service with a smile, Brett Waters comes to the desert with experience from some of the country’s top horse shows, including Devon Horse Show, Hampton Classic and The Vermont Summer Festival. Waters will lead a team of experienced office staff who have served customers in the Desert for many years


Ashley Keeler
Show Office Manager
Ashley has been in the horse industry for over 30 years as a trainer, rider, and as horse show staff. She has shown all over the country and earned USEF AO Hunter of the Year in 2006. Keeler’s experience in and out of the horse show arena help her understand all the details that go into a horse show and to better serve our exhibitors.
Announcements
Desert Circuit Honors Year-End Circuit Champions
For Immediate Release: THERMAL, Calif. – March 29, 2021 – At the conclusion of a successful 2021 season at the Desert International Horse Park, overall circuit champions were honored for consistent top results throughout the 2021 Desert Circuit. Hunter, jumper,...
Desert International Horse Park Celebrates Grand Finale with $250,000 FEI Grand Prix CSI4* 1.55m
For Immediate Release THERMAL, Calif. – March 21, 2021 – The Desert International Horse Park celebrated the end of the eight week Desert Circuit with a grand finale of the $250,000 FEI Grand Prix CSI4* 1.55m, drawing top grand prix riders for the event. It was Nicky...
World Championship Hunter Rider Week Highlights
For Immediate Release: THERMAL, Calif. – March 21, 2021 – World Championship Hunter Rider week came to fruition on Sunday of the final week of Desert Circuit. After impressive rides in their respective divisions, the highest scoring riders were...
Grand Prix Grand Finale For Desert Circuit Week VIII
For Immediate Release THERMAL, Calif. – March 21, 2021 – The Desert Circuit wrapped up the eighth and final week of competition at the Desert International Horse Park (DIHP). Jumper action in the grand prix ring concluded with highlight classes such as the $15,000...
The Desert International Horse Park Featured the R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship Under the Lights
For Immediate Release THERMAL, Calif. – March 20, 2021 - The Desert International Horse Park featured the highly coveted R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship under the lights in the beautiful grand prix arena. The class challenged 49 top equitation riders who qualified...
King and Khosla Conquer Desert Circuit VIII
For Immediate Release: THERMAL, Calif. – March 20, 2021 – Top show jumping action continued at the Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) as FEI riders are preparing for the grand finale, the $250,000 FEI 1.55m CSI4*, on Sunday afternoon. In Saturday’s competition,...
The Grooms Showcase
For Immediate Release: THERMAL, Calif. – March 20, 2021 – An exciting evening kicked off with the Groom’s Class, where twenty-five grooms brought their favorite horses to the ring for a chance to win the $1,500 cash prize and the coveted title. The competition was...
USHJA National Hunter Derby Celebrates World Championship Hunter Rider Week at the Desert International Horse Park
For Immediate Release THERMAL, Calif. – March 19, 2021- It was an exciting day for hunters at the Desert International Horse Park as hunter riders showed off their skills in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Platinum Performance. Sixty-six entries...
Desert International Horse Park Hosts Prestigious $100,000 West Coast Hunter Spectacular
For Immediate Release THERMAL, Calif. – March 19, 2021 – The Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) hosted the prestigious $100,000 West Coast Hunter Spectacular during World Championship Hunter Rider Week (WCHR), which is the final week of the Desert Circuit, and oh...
Jumper Riders Set the Pace Friday In FEI and Zone 10 NAYC Trials
For Immediate Release: THERMAL, Calif. – March 19, 2021 – The newly landscaped Grand Prix Stadium played host to the $36,600 FEI 1.50m, sponsored by STX Vans Friday morning. Riders are preparing for the feature class on Sunday, the $250,000 FEI 1.55m CSI4*. The final...