With returning championships and finals, NEW FEI offerings and much, much more, National Sunshine Series 1 — running October 28-November 1 — and National Sunshine Series 2 — to be held November 4-8 — are two weeks that you are not going to want to miss.

Click here to access the current schedules, and read on for featured highlights.

NATIONAL SUNSHINE SERIES 1
October 28 – November 1, 2026
Premier Hunters / Level 6 Jumpers

• $100,000 National Grand Prix w/ $5,000 U25 Overlay
• $30,000 1.45m Open Welcome
• $30,000 1.40m Classic
• $10,000 1.35m Welcome
• $15,000 1.35m Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships
• $25,000 1.45m Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships
• $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open (Grass Field)
• $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur (Grass Field)
• $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunt & Go Derby
• 3′ Junior/Amateur Eq Challenge
• $1,000 .95m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic
• $2,000 1.0m Child/Adult Jumpers
• USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships
• USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs
• NAL Finals ($5,000 Children’s Hunter Final, $5,000 Adult Hunter Final, $10,000 1.15m Junior Jumper Final, $10,000 1.15m Amateur Jumper Final, $10,000 1.25m Junior/Amateur Jumper Final, $10,000 1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper Final)

NATIONAL SUNSHINE SERIES 2
November 4-8, 2026
CSI3* / Premier Hunters / Level 6 Jumpers

• $117,000 CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix
• $62,500 CSI3* 1.45m Qualifier
• $32,000 CSI3* 1.45m Speed
• $30,000 1.40m Grand Prix
• $15,000 1.40m Classic
• $10,000 1.35m Welcome
• $10,000 1.15m Junior/Amateur Mini Prix
• $75,000 Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships (Grass Field)
• $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open
• $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur
• $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunt & Go Derby
• USHJA Hunter Team Challenge
• USHJA Horse of the Year Awards – Zone 10
• CPHA Style of Riding Championship – South
• Onondarka Medal Final
• USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – West

Note that the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – West previously held during National Sunshine Series 2 will now be held during Desert Holiday.

Featuring back-to-back weeks of Major League Show Jumping action, the $20,000 Pro Eq Challenge, the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – West, and much, much more, there is no place like the desert for the holidays.

DESERT HOLIDAY 1
December 2-6, 2026
CSI5* and CSI2* / Major League Show Jumping / Premier Hunters / Level 6 Jumpers

CSI5* Highlights:

• $750,000 CSI5* Coachella Cup Grand Prix
• $200,000 CSI5* MLSJ Team Competition
• $181,000 CSI5* 1.55m Qualifier
• $62,500 CSI5* 1.45m Winning Round

CSI2* Highlights:

• $62,500 CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix
• $32,000 CSI2* 1.45m Qualifier

Additional Highlights:

• $30,000 1.40m Classic
• $15,000 1.40m Speed
• $30,000 USHJA International Derby (Grass Field)
• $5,000 USHJA National Pony Hunter Derby
• $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open
• $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur
• $20,000 Pro Eq Challenge
• Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – West

DESERT HOLIDAY 2
December 9-13, 2026
CSI5* and CSI2* / Major League Show Jumping / Premier Hunters / Level 6 Jumpers

CSI5* Highlights:

• $340,000 CSI5* Grand Prix
• $200,000 CSI5* MLSJ Team Competition
• $181,000 CSI5* 1.55m Qualifier
• $62,500 CSI5* 1.45m Winning Round

CSI2* Highlights:

• $62,500 CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix
• $32,000 CSI2* 1.45m Qualifier

Additional Highlights:

• $30,000 1.40m Classic
• $15,000 1.40m Speed
• $20,000 Young Hunter Classic
• $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open
• $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur

As we countdown to the start of the 2026-2027 Desert International Horse Park season on October 28, here are a few key dates to keep in mind:

📅 August 1 – Season stall, RV and paddock reservations open – Planning on joining us for the majority of the winter? Saturday, August 1 is the date you will not want to miss for your full season-long reservations!

For National Sunshine Series, Desert Holiday and Desert Circuit, entries and weekly stall, RV, paddock and VIP Palm Club reservations will open on the following dates:

📅 August 15 – National Sunshine Series entries and reservations open

📅 October 1 – Desert Holiday entries and reservations open

📅 November 1 – Desert Circuit entries and reservations open

The desert season will be here before you know it. Plan ahead, secure your spot and get ready to enjoy another incredible winter of competition, sunshine and unforgettable memories at Desert International Horse Park!

To be the first to know as schedules and prize lists are released, be sure to follow DIHP on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about all upcoming competitions, visit deserthorsepark.com.

With returning championships and finals, NEW FEI offerings and much, much more, here is an early look at the National Sunshine Series highlights you are not going to want to miss.

Photo by Anasofia Vazquez

NATIONAL SUNSHINE SERIES 1

October 28 – November 1, 2026

Premier Hunters / Level 6 Jumpers

• $100,000 National Grand Prix w/ $5,000 U25 Overlay
• $30,000 1.45m Open Welcome
• $30,000 1.40m Classic
• $10,000 1.35m Welcome
• $15,000 1.35m Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships
• $25,000 1.45m Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships
• $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open (Grass Field)
• $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur (Grass Field)
• 3′ Junior/Amateur Eq Challenge
• $1,000 .95m Jumper Classic
• $2,000 1.0m Child/Adult Jumpers
• USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships
• USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs
• NAL Finals
  • $5,000 Children’s Hunter Final
  • $5,000 Adult Hunter Final
  • $10,000 1.15m Junior Jumper Final
  • $10,000 1.15m Amateur Jumper Final
  • $10,000 1.25m Junior/Amateur Jumper Final
  • $10,000 1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper Final

National Sunshines Series will offer a number of championships and finals, including the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships. Photo by Megan Giese Media/DIHP

NATIONAL SUNSHINE SERIES 2

November 4-8, 2026

CSI3* / Premier Hunters / Level 6 Jumpers

• CSI3* / Premier Hunters / Level 6 Jumpers
• $117,000 CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix
• $62,500 CSI3* 1.45m Qualifier
• $32,000 CSI3* 1.45m Speed
• $30,000 1.40m Grand Prix
• $15,000 1.40m Classic
• $10,000 1.35m Welcome
• $10,000 1.15m Junior/Amateur Mini Prix
• $75,000 Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships (Grass Field)
• $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open
• $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur
• USHJA Hunter Team Challenge
• USHJA Horse of the Year Awards – Zone 10
• CPHA Style of Riding Championship – South
• Onondarka Medal Final
• USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – West

Note that the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – West previously held during National Sunshine Series 2 will now be held during Desert Holiday.

From November 4, 2026, through April 4, 2027, DIHP will now offer 11 weeks of FEI competition, including the following new weeks:

• National Sunshine Series 2 – November 4-8, 2026 – CSI3*
• Desert Circuit 1 – January 13-17, 2027 – CSI2*
• Desert Circuit 12 – March 31 – April 4, 2027 – CSI4*

Featured FEI class highlights include the following*:

NATIONAL SUNSHINE SERIES 2 CSI3*
November 4-8, 2026
CSI3* Highlights:

• $117,000 CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix
• $62,500 CSI3* 1.45m Qualifier
• $32,000 CSI3* 1.45m Speed

COACHELLA CUP CSI2*/CSI5*
December 2-6, 2026
CSI5* Highlights:

• $750,000 CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix
• $181,000 CSI5* 1.55m Qualifier
• $262,500 CSI5* 1.50m MLSJ Team
• $62,500 CSI5* 1.45m Winning Round

CSI2* Highlights:

• $62,500 CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix
• $32,000 CSI2* 1.45m Qualifier

DESERT HOLIDAY CSI2*/CSI5*
December 9-13, 2026
CSI5* Highlights:

• $340,000 CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix
• $181,000 CSI5* 1.55m Qualifier
• $262,500 CSI5* 1.50m MLSJ Team
• $62,500 CSI5* 1.45m Winning Round

CSI2* Highlights:

• $62,500 CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix
• $32,000 CSI2* 1.45m Qualifier

DESERT CIRCUIT 1 CSI2*
January 13-17, 2027
CSI2* Highlights:

• $62,500 CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix
• $32,000 CSI2* 1.45m Qualifier
• $10,000 CSI2* 1.40m Welcome

DESERT CIRCUIT 3 CSI5*
January 27-31, 2027
CSI5* Highlights:

• $340,000 CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix
• $117,000 CSI5* 1.50m Qualifier
• $62,500 CSI5* 1.45m Grand Prix
• $32,000 CSI5* 1.45m Welcome
• $10,000 CSI5* 1.40m

DESERT CIRCUIT 4 CSI5*-W
February 3-7, 2027
CSI5*-W Highlights:

• $340,000 CSI5*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup – Thermal
• $117,000 CSI5* 1.50m Qualifier
• $62,500 CSI5* 1.45m Grand Prix
• $32,000 CSI5* 1.45m Welcome
• $10,000 CSI5* 1.40m

DESERT CIRCUIT 6 CSI3*
February 17-21, 2027
CSI3* Highlights:

• $117,000 CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix
• $62,500 CSI3* 1.45-1.50m Qualifier
• $10,000 CSI3* 1.40m Welcome

DESERT CIRCUIT 7 CSI3*
February 24-28, 2027
CSI3* Highlights:

• $117,000 CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix
• $62,500 CSI3* 1.45-1.50m Qualifier
• $10,000 CSI3* 1.40m Welcome

DESERT CIRCUIT 9 CSI3*
March 10-14, 2027
CSI3* Highlights:

• $117,000 CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix
• $62,500 CSI3* 1.45-1.50m Qualifier
• $10,000 CSI3* 1.40m Welcome

DESERT CIRCUIT 10 CSI4*
March 17-21, 2027
CSI4* Highlights:

• $181,000 CSI4* 1.55m Grand Prix
• $62,500 CSI4* 1.50m Qualifier
• $62,500 CSI4* 1.45m Grand Prix
• $32,000 CSI4* 1.45m Welcome
• $10,000 CSI4* 1.40m

DESERT CIRCUIT 12 CSI4*
March 31-April 4, 2027
CSI4* Highlights:

• $200,000 CSI4* 1.55m Grand Prix
• $117,000 CSI4* 1.50m Qualifier
• $75,000 CSI4* 1.45m Grand Prix
• $32,000 CSI4* 1.45m Welcome
• $10,000 CSI4* 1.40m

*Class highlights are subject to change

Jamie Sailor and Jaguar Fighter Go. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“Always when I go first in the order, I say in my head, ‘Go first, get first!’ That’s my little saying,” said Sailor. “Don’t hold back, put the pressure on everyone else that’s going to be behind me. There were 27 in the class, and I knew there were some fast riders behind me. I said, ‘I’ve got nothing to lose. It’s the last day of Spring Fling 2 and the whole Circuit, so let’s go for it, buddy!’ [Jaguar Fighter Go] was right there with me the whole way, and I’m super proud of that.”

With strides left out throughout the Steffen Bühling-designed course in the Grand Prix Stadium, Sailor and Jaguar Fighter Go set the time to beat at a quick 62.464 seconds. Throughout the remainder of the class, no one would come within even a second of that time. Coming the closest and taking second place with a time of 63.826 seconds were Simon Schroeder and NKH Cento Blue, owned by The Bridgeport Group LLC. Britt Scheifele and her own Querido van het Geinsteinde finished in third with a time of 63.928 seconds.

Jamie Sailor and Jaguar Fighter Go were presented as the winners of the $10,000 1.40m Open Speed Stake. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“During the course walk, I definitely thought one more stride than I ended up doing throughout basically the entire course,” said Sailor. “As he started to relax and open up the canter, we did one less over to the double, one or two less over to the oxer, two less over to the vertical…and then the rollback I was quite tidy, and he really trusted me there. It was a little bold. Then I said, ‘Okay, we got one less to the last!’ He’s quite fast so it’s fun to feel. Even though he’s a big horse, I can trust his foot speed, and we won today by leaving out a lot of strides.”

Jamie Sailor and Jaguar Fighter Go. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Sailor has only been partnered with Jaguar Fighter Go, owned by Arturo Parada Vallejo, for a few weeks, but she has already thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

“He’s a big guy, but he’s a bit sensitive. So, I have been trying to find the right amount of tension that he wants on the rein contact and the right leg pressure,” explained Sailor. “I’m just trying to be a little bit more delicate. It’s been fun getting to know him and where he wants to be placed at the jump.”

Simon Schroeder and NKH Cento Blue finished in second place. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Sailor concluded, “I don’t what the future really holds for us, but we’ll see! I’m happy with the whole circuit here. It’s been an amazing circuit, this week in particular. All the clients rode well. It’s always so much fun in the desert. It’s beautiful weather today. I couldn’t ask for more!”

To view full results from the $10,000 1.40m Open Speed Stake, click here.

Justin Prather and Grazie. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Utilizing the unique gambler’s choice format, riders had 60 seconds to accumulate as many points as possible by jumping fences assigned point values ranging from 20 to 120. With riders picking their own paths around the Grand Prix Stadium, the class rewarded both strategy and speed – and a bit of risk-taking as well. At the conclusion of the 60 seconds, riders had to make the choice whether to jump the “joker” fence, the highest fence on course which would either add or subtract 200 points from their score.

“Walking the course, there were a lot of people doing like very deep analysis. We could have been on Wall Street!” said Prather in discussing his course strategy. “I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do, and I got to watch a little bit and just kind of kept revising.”

Justin Prather and Grazie. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Part of Prather’s approach was opening his round with a move that no one else attempted: an impressive slice from one high-value fence immediately to another. That move, coupled with quick riding throughout and a successfully cleared joker fence, clinched Prather and Grazie the win with a score of 1370.

“I knew I had those first two jumps kind of in my back pocket as a bit of a slick move that I could pull off. I just kind of rode off the vibes!” said Prather. “I like this kind of stuff, and Grazie’s always game to come play with me for this kind of thing.”

Justin Prather and Grazie were presented as the winners of the $10,000 Spotlight 29 Casino Gambler’s Choice. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Finishing in second place with 1300 points were Carla Diewert and her own Cogito. Third place with 1250 points went to Sarah Almasri and Starboy, owned by Morad Almasri. With time as the tiebreaker, Jordan Gilchrist on Duchesse Z and Mackenzie Hudson on Ekyra Fortuna also finished on 1250 points each to take fourth and fifth, respectively.

Of his 12-year-old winning mount, owned by Bradon Equestrian LTD, Prather said, “She’s a rocket! I got her around this time in her 9-year-old year. It was a little bit rocky getting started. I actually never tried the horse. I bought it off of a video. Then two summers ago, and really last winter down here, we kind of dialed in the routine and the plan. We stopped trying to be greedy and jump bigger and just left her where she’s a winner – 1.30m, 1.35m, a little 1.40m.”

Second place went to Carla Diewert and Cogito. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Another area where Grazie excels is in the victory gallop, and the mare and Prather led an exceptionally speeding one on Saturday night.

“It’s double exciting to win on this horse because she loves to win probably more than I do, and she lives for the victory gallop,” said Prather. “That’s we try and win, to give her the victory gallop, and then I just set her free. It has come up a few times that I tend to overdue a victory gallop, but whatever, it’s fun. It’s her signature move!”

To view complete results from the $10,000 Spotlight 29 Casino 1.10–1.15m Gambler’s Choice, click here.

Quintero and the 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding topped a field of 27 entries to take home victory in the $10,000 Valencia Sport Saddlery USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open.

Lise Quintero and Songbird. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Maja Lindemann designed the course for the two-phase class in the Main Hunter Ring, and Quintero took advantage of the track’s various options and inside turns to really show off Songbird’s strengths. The pair’s scores reflected that, with a 90 and 88 giving them a 178 winning total.

“It was a fluid course,” said Quintero. “It showed lengthening of stride; it showed options, which is nice. I like when the winner can do a little pizazz or show a little spark.”

Lise Quintero and Songbird. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Second place with an overall score of 175 (89+86) went to Paige Dendiu and Vatikan, owned by Karin Binz. Cassie Frost and Casino, owned by Summit Farm, rounded out the top three on a score of 174.75 (88+86.75).

“[Songbird] was super, so it was a lot of fun,” said Quintero, who just began riding the gelding for owner Rose Hill Farm LA earlier this DIHP season. “The first couple of weeks, it was a little bit of figuring him out in the smaller rings, and then I was like, ‘Let’s keep going!’”

Lise Quintero and Songbird. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Quintero and Songbird did indeed keep going, advancing to the derby ring and now having successfully contested two USHJA national hunter derby classes.

“[Songbird] is very shy of other horses, but as a competitor, he concentrates,” said Quintero. “He’s always learning. He’s very confident to me; his jump is confident.”

In addition to Songbird, Quintero has taken on the ride on a number of horses for Rose Hill Farm LA and trainers Shari Rose and Rainie Rose, and while their current working relationship is relatively new, it is not the first time that Quintero has ridden with Shari Rose.

“[Shari Rose] is my childhood trainer from when I was 8 years old!” said Quintero. “I rode with [Shari] for I think almost five years as a kid…It’s fun that it is all one big family, and Songbird is a family horse. He’s trained by the grandmother, [Shari Rose], and he’s also ridden by the granddaughter, [Bailey Rose].”

For complete results from the $10,000 Valencia Sport Saddlery USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open, click here, and to learn more about all competition at Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.

Course designer Steffen Bühling set a challenging track for the Desert Spring Fling 2 featured class, with five out of 45 entries ultimately producing clear rounds to advance to the jump-off. From there, speed was the name of the game.

Michelle Parker and Vivalunaika Blue. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Kyle King and his highly accomplished mount, Kayenne Z, were the first to return for the short course, and they threw down the gauntlet with a time of 38.413 seconds. Two trips later, Camilo Rueda and Indus van het Keysereyck looked like they may overtake King’s time, but they crossed the final oxer just 0.042 seconds off the leading mark with a time of 38.455 seconds.

Michelle Parker and Vivalunaika Blue were presented as the winners of the $75,000 Platinum Performance Grand Prix. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Parker and her veteran partner, Vivalunaika Blue, were the final pair to jump, and they cruised over the final U.S. Equestrian fence in 38.304 seconds to narrowly clinch the win. King and Kayenne Z held on to second place, and Rueda and Indus van het Keysereyck rounded out the top three. Finishing in fourth with a double-clear jump-off effort were Mariano Maggi and Quantico 23, and Ian McFarlane and Madagaskar took home fifth place with just one fence down over the short course.

Kyle King and Kayenne Z took home second place. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“We took probably two or three more steps than Kyle and still managed to catch him so that was unexpected!” said Parker. “When I finished, I was super happy; I felt really fast, but I didn’t think I had it honestly.”

Parker continued, “[Vivalunaika Blue] really goes quick over the jumps. So, fortunately, I guess we were able to make up the difference because she’s more of a skimmer. [Kayenne Z] has all that scope and jump, and Vivalunaika Blue’s a little quicker in the air.”

Third place went to Camilo Rueda and Indus van het Keysereyck. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Parker has had the ride on the 12-year-old Oldenburg mare, owned by Cross Creek Farms, Inc., for the past three years, and in that time, Vivalunaika Blue has repeatedly proven to be a top grand prix contender for Parker.

“I got her on a strange horse deal, a trade right after I had broken my leg,” explained Parker. “If I’d gone out shopping for a horse for myself, I wouldn’t have chosen her, but she has actually been one of my most consistent horses that I’ve had, so it worked out for the best!”

Michelle Parker and Vivalunaika Blue. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

To view complete results from the $75,000 Platinum Performance Grand Prix, click here.

Sunday, March 29, marks the conclusion of competition at Desert International Horse Park for the 2025-2026 season, with the 2026-2027 season returning in October 2026. To learn more, visit deserthorsepark.com.