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.
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.
Pat Boyle
Technical Coordinator
Pat has been putting on fantastic horse shows across the country for over 30 years. He has been a staple in the Chicago show world, running small and large shows at his home base, Ledges. More recently, he took the reins of Pennsylvania National and the USHJA National Championships in Las Vegas. Pat shares a passion for creating beautiful rings with Steve – simply wanting to create rings that people can’t wait to compete in!
Skyler Brittner
Stabling Manager and Technical Coordinator
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.
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.
Kyle Gould
Footing Manager
Kyle is simply the best in the business. He splits his time between Traverse City, Michigan, assisting Matt Morrissey, and the desert, here at DIHP. Here at Thermal, Kyle oversees 1.6 million square feet of competition, schooling, and lunging space. Kyle’s design of the new Grand Prix arena has been instrumental in turning DIHP into a destination for high-performance competitors from around the world.
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.
Joe Wilson
Facility Manager
Joe and his family have been in the construction business for as long as they can remember, including over 20 years building horse show facilities. Joe joined a year and a half ago for a few projects, and we never let him leave California. More recently, Joe took over managing the entire 239 acres, overseeing construction, maintenance, and landscaping. Everything you see about DIHP that has changed, Joe has had a hand in shaping. Joe has been a key player in helping transform DIHP to what it is today.
Announcements
Tuesday, March 1: EHV-1 Update from Desert International Horse Park
Dear Desert Circuit competitors, We received the results tonight from the one sample we submitted to the CDFA yesterday for testing. The sample was from a horse which reported a first time fever yesterday. The result was negative. We have submitted 17 tests to the lab...
Monday, February 28: EHV-1 Update from Desert International Horse Park
Dear Desert Circuit competitors, Over the last three days we have accumulated 24 samples which were sent to the CDFA lab this morning for testing today. Six of these samples were for horses that had previously tested positive for EHV-1. Two of these horses have now...
Friday, February 25: EHV-1 Update from Desert International Horse Park
Dear Desert Circuit competitors, We submitted 11 samples to the CDFA lab yesterday for testing. One of the horses was being tested for the first time, after exhibiting an elevated temperature yesterday. That test has returned with a negative result. The horse will be...
Thursday, February 24: EHV-1 Update from Desert International Horse Park
Dear Desert Circuit competitors, As we reported yesterday, we submitted five samples to the CDFA for testing. All five of these tests were for new horses with reported fevers yesterday. All five of these tests came back negative today. These horses will be retested on...
Wednesday, February 23: EHV-1 Update from Desert International Horse Park
Dear Desert Circuit competitors, As we reported yesterday, we were awaiting the results from eleven tests sent to the CDFA lab on Tuesday. We had three additional horses that tested positive for EHV-1 today. One of these three was being tested for the first time after...
Tuesday, February 22: EHV-1 Update from Desert International Horse Park
Dear Desert Circuit competitors, As we reported yesterday, we had two new horses with elevated temperatures. Both of these horses were tested. We have received the results from one of the horses tested and the result was negative. The results from the second horse...
Monday, February 21: CDFA Testing Results at Desert International Horse Park
Dear Desert Circuit competitors, As we reported yesterday, we had ten samples submitted to the CDFA lab for testing. These samples were collected this past Friday and Saturday. We have now received the results. Of the ten samples, four have tested positive and six...
EHV-1 Update: Biosecurity Protocols and Moving Forward Plan
Dear Desert Circuit competitors, We are attaching an updated announcement from the CDFA regarding the EHV-1 infections at DIHP. We did not receive test results back from the CDFA lab today so we do not have results to report. Horses in isolation, pre-isolation, and...
Important Update Regarding EHV-1 Status at Desert International Horse Park
Dear Desert Circuit competitors, The challenge of communication. Since the beginning of the EHV-1 infection here at Desert International Horse Park we have tried to create transparency around the events unfolding. Communication has been available consistently from...
Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper Step Out for the First Time Since Tokyo Olympics at Desert Dressage III CDI3* Grand Prix Competition
Thermal, Calif - Feb. 18, 2022 - Competition at the Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) heated up as the California sun went down on Friday, wrapping up the first day of Adequan Desert Dressage III competition with the CDI3* Prix St Georges and the CDI3* Grand Prix...