THERMAL, Calif. – As a longtime Desert International Horse Park competitor, Mariano Alario is always happy to be back in Thermal, Calif., but that was particularly true on Wednesday, October 29, as he kicked off the 2025-2026 DIHP season with a win. He and Cassamoon sped straight to the top of a 48-horse field to take home first place in the $10,000 Perfect Products 1.35m Welcome Speed, held on day one of National Sunshine Series 1.
Mariano Alario and Cassamoon. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
When Alario entered the Grand Prix Stadium, the time to beat had been set at 59.484 seconds by another frequent DIHP competitor — and frequent winner — Amanda Gomez aboard Charly-Ann. While Gomez’s time had held up for more than 20 trips, Alario and Cassamoon cranked up the speed just enough to narrowly edge her out. They stopped the clock in a winning 58.595 seconds, while Gomez and Charly-Ann held on to second place. Third place went to Keri Potter and Kalimera van de Nethe Z with a time of 59.796 seconds.
“I didn’t really know how it was going to go because normally, the first day of the week, she’s pretty fresh,” said Alario of Cassamoon, owned by Everhart LLC. “I thought she was as fast as we could be!”
The 15-year-old Holsteiner mare has been in Alario’s barn for the last seven years, and the pair were previously frequent grand prix competitors before a colic surgery and a hock injury saw Cassamoon sidelined for some time.
Mariano Alario and Cassamoon were presented as the winners of the $10,000 Perfect Products 1.35m Welcome Speed. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“She had a big setback,” said Alario. “She had almost four years off, and she came back a year ago. She’s playing. She’s feeling good. She’s very hot. She pulls; she takes you. She wants to go to the jump.”
Presently, Alario aims to point Cassamoon at the 1.40m and 1.45m classics offered throughout the DIHP season, as well as enjoying his time back at the horse park.“I’ve been coming here since day one,” concluded Alario. “I love it. I love the surprises they give us every year with new improvements, and the place is amazing. I’m looking forward to the rest of this season!”
For full results of the $10,000 Perfect Products 1.35m Welcome Speed, click here, and for more information on all competition at Desert International Horse Park, visit www.deserthorsepark.com.