We look forward to welcoming everyone next week for the beginning of Desert Circuit 2021. Hopefully you are as excited as we are about the schedule and special events during the eight-week circuit. We wanted to share a few thoughts and updates as we await your arrival. 

COVID-19

It’s certainly disappointing to still be facing the pandemic now, a year after we saw the first signs of it at the end of Desert Circuit 2020. We are all ready for it to end. Unfortunately, the pandemic is going out with a fury and we face an even more challenging situation this circuit than we did this past fall. We have had strong support from everyone – exhibitors, trainers, vendors, sponsors, our team, and all of the relevant oversight organizations watching us. We continue to update our protocols to ensure we can create a safe environment for everyone. WE NEED YOUR HELP! We need everyone to adhere to the critical protocols – wear a mask unless you are on a horse, stay six feet apart (even from your best friends), and take advantage of all of the disinfectant stations around the property to wash your hands frequently. We are going to be very strict in enforcement. Remember as we do this, we’re all on the same side and want the same result, everyone stays safe and we continue to operate. 

In addition to the extra precaution when you’re on the property, we will also have extra rules when entering the property. On a periodic basis, we’ll be spot-checking for valid credentials by asking for your phone number. While this may add some time at the entrance gate, we think it is important to make sure we limit access to the people who can legitimately be at the horse park. 

TEAM

We have made a number of changes to our team to continue to improve our ability to run a first-class competition and provide a great experience.

The most prominent change is the addition of Pat Boyle to our competition team. Pat will serve as Technical Coordinator – Hunters/Equitation along-side Skyler Brittner, who will serve as Technical Coordinator – Jumpers. Both will be assisting Phil DeVita, the Competition Manager. With 13 rings running during most of Desert Circuit, we wanted to make sure we had the depth needed. Pat obviously brings a wealth of experience, as well as a passion for great hunter rings. 

Another change, a bit less visible, but quite important, is a new Chef for our VIP kitchen.  We welcome Wes Brittner to the team. Wes is the Chef at the VIP restaurant at Thunderbird. We’re excited about tasting his food here in the desert, as well as having an expanded baking program on site with home-baked pastries and bread each day. Be on the look-out for an expanded catering menu soon as well.

IMPROVEMENTS

We still have a long way to go to improve the facility. But every chance we get, we invest to make DIHP the place we all want it to be. The break between circuits was just four weeks this year, but we did have time to complete a number of additional projects. We have replaced the lights in the Grand Prix arena and warm-up area to the latest in stadium lighting technology. We are excited about having our first competitions under the new lights this circuit. In addition, we are finalizing the installation of a new, large video wall in the Grand Prix ring. Both of these improvements will add to the Grand Prix experience for riders.

We have replaced the footing in Jumper 4 warm-up. The initial feedback has been quite positive. Should the footing perform well over this circuit, we’ll continue to use this new footing for additional rings. 

Steve

#seeyouinthedesert

For Immediate Release: 

Photo © ESI Photography

THERMAL, Calif.-January 20, 2020- Ali Ramsay (Victoria, BC) and Lutz flew to the top of the leaderboard in the $100,000 Horseflight Grand Prix at The Desert International Horse Park, halting the jump-off timers at 36.649 seconds. Keri Potter (Del Mar, CA) and Jiminy Cricket, owned by Melanie Brooks, took second place for their performance of 37.353 seconds, while Rich Fellers (Oregon City, OR) and his own Lux Lady, claimed third-place honors with a time of 37.507 seconds.

First to go in the jump-off, Keri Potter set a difficult Aon Time to Beat. Ramsay, who was second to last in the jump-off, had a plan, “ I just knew I had to go for it and I knew he was with me so I could take a bit of a risk and it paid off.”

Photo © ESI Photography

Lutz has been a part of Ramsay’s string of horses since last April. “We’ve actually had a really solid partnership together since then and we have just been building on it,” Ramsay also shared that Lutz does have a personality of his own, “He is quite sassy and he’s got a lot of attitude, especially at the beginning of the tour here [Desert International Horse Park]. He’s nice and fresh and is letting me know it.”

Ramsay shared she plans to stay for the duration of the circuit and is enjoying the improvements around the facility, “It’s really exciting to see the new horse park, it feels different, and it’s really nice to be here.“

This Grand Prix win will put Lutz at the top of the Great American Insurance Group Leading Jumper Rider Board and in standings to qualify for the Week VIII Grand Prix Invitational that Ramsay aspires to qualify for, “That’s the goal!”

Week I Jumper Champion Spotlight

$10,000 Open Classic 1.35m Open Classic, sponsored by Stal Hendrix

Emily Esau Williams & Dandy

$2,500 JR/A-O/AM Jumper Classic, sponsored by Vitaflex

Hannah Loly & Ayma de la Demi Lune

$1,000 JR/AMA-O Jumper Classic, sponsored by Desert Flight

Masissa Maas & Lord Loriend

1.30m Jumper Division, sponsored by ALU Jumps

Kyle King & Gavanta

1.10m Jumper Division, sponsored by Equestrian Connect

Stephany Powers & Chicago 

Week I Hunter Champion Spotlight

$1,000 Junior Hunter Classic, sponsored by Parlanti

Juliette Joseph & Philadelphia Story

$500 NAL Adult Hunter Classic, sponsored by Outdoor Outfitters

Cathy Morris-Schmitt & Andover

A-O Hunter 3’6” Division, sponsored by Aleron Training Stables

Didi Mackenzie & MTM Do Right

Green Hunter 3’3”, sponsored by Equithrive

John Bragg & Macarthur

Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50, sponsored by Run Amok Horse Transportation

Katie Cook & Doheny 

About the Desert International Horse Park
With about 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 10 weeks of world-class competition, eight during the Desert Circuit from January – March and two during the Sunshine Series in November, 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.

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The new Marshall & Sterling Insurance Derby Program welcomed the first of five USHJA National Derbies during Desert Circuit. Karli Postel and Highseas walked away victorious in the Professional Division, while Peyten Seltzer and Que Creme were crowned Champion in the Junior/Amatuer Division in their first National Derby. The Desert International Horse Park will host the first of three International Derbies of Desert Circuit during Week II.

Karli Postel and Highseas Claim Champion Title in USHJA National Hunter Derby – Pro

Photo © ESI Photography

Karli Postel (Thousand Oaks, CA) and Highseas emerged victorious in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Pro Division sponsored by Balmoral Farm claiming the title of Champion with a combined score of 187. Nick Haness (Temecula, CA) aboard Saphir, owned by West Coast Equine Partners LLC, were crowned Reserve Champion with their final score of 182 after the handy. 

The class welcomed 22 pairs to challenge the course. Postel and Highseas, owned by Laura Wasserman, were unbeatable claiming the highest scores in both rounds of competition. 

The West Coast rider, who works for Archibald Cox at Brookway Stables, shared that she enjoyed the courses set for the Derby and that the course still offered some challenges in the handy round: “They were really fun [courses] today. The first round rode really nice and I thought the Handy kicked it up a notch, with some harder turns and jumps on tricky angles so that was nice to have.”

Peyten Seltzer and Que Creme Claim Champion Title in her First USHJA National Hunter Derby – JR/AM

Photo © ESI Photography

Making her debut in her first USHJA National Hunter Derby, Peyten Seltzer (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) and her own Que Creme finished on top in the USHJA National Hunter Derby – JR/AM, sponsored by Balmoral Farm, with a combined score of 168.5 after the Handy. “This was actually my first National Derby, so I was very excited,” Peyten shared. Carlee McCutcheon (Aubrey, TX) and MTM Farm’s Halo received Reserve Champion honors earning a final score of 166.

About the Desert International Horse Park
With about 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 10 weeks of world-class competition, eight during the Desert Circuit from January – March and two during the Sunshine Series in November, 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.

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Kenneth Vinther and Long-time Partner Colicchio Claim Victory in $30,000 Grand Prix, Sponsored by UlcerGard

Photo © ESI Photography

Kenneth Vinther (Newbury Park, CA) and his own Colicchio raced to a swift time of 42.597 seconds, and were the only pair to finish clear in the jump-off. Katelyn Denby Edwards (Santa Monica, CA) and Kalina, owned by Mountain View West Farm LLC, had a quick time of 38.53 seconds but an unfortunate rail landed her in second place while Tracy Epp (Richmond, BC) and her own Camvel finished in third. 

The course, designed by Michael Vaillancourt (Aiken, SC), tested 39 pairs with only three returning for the jump-off. “I don’t remember if I have ridden Michael’s courses before but I really liked them,” Vinther commented. “Today it was funny because during the course walk, it walked very straightforward, nothing crazy, and then you saw the first riders go in and there was one rail after another and you had to wonder what is going on?” Vinther continued, “It is the sign of a good course designer that they can throw in these little, I don’t want to call it tricks, but they can play with the mind of the rider in that way.”

Vinther has owned Colicchio since he was a foal and even started him in his first season jumping as a seven-year-old. Colicchio, now a twelve-year-old stallion, and Vinther have formed a special bond. “He means a lot to me,” Vinther shared. “I got some very tempting offers for him [Colicchio] but I don’t think I could ever sell him. He has given me a lot, things you cannot buy, so I have a feeling he is going to stay forever.”

Zume Gallaher Cleans-Up in $1,000 U25 Jumper Classic, Sponsored by Harcour

Photo © ESI Photography

Zume Gallaher (Windsor, CA) had a successful day in the $1,000 U25 Jumper Classic claiming not only the blue ribbon on Blue Gate Stables, LLC’s Edita but also taking second aboard Certain VD Begijnakker. Gallaher is excited moving forward with Edita, who she has only had for under a year. Edita is Gallaher’s partner as she begins to move into the bigger classes. “I originally did Hunters, Equation, and Medals when I lived in Northern California, but then started doing jumpers when I moved to Southern California for college,” Gallaher shared. “My jumping career is really only just beginning, I am super excited for Sunday when I will be competing in my first 1.50m Grand Prix.” Gallaher concluded.

About the Desert International Horse Park
With about 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 10 weeks of world-class competition, eight during the Desert Circuit from January – March and two during the Sunshine Series in November, 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.

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For Immediate Release:

THERMAL, Calif. –January 13, 2020- The Desert International Horse Park is proud to announce the expansion of its Equitation program. In preparation for the upcoming Winter Circuit, the Desert International Horse Park redesigned the Jumper 3 Ring to be an Equitation specific stage. The ring will include landscape islands, new jumps, and a holding area in front of the ring. The horse park also created a dedicated Equitation spectator area, which will include food, beverages, and a 10×100 foot tent. The horse park adjusted its show schedule so all major equitation classes will be held in this new Equitation Ring Friday through Sunday during every week of Desert Circuit.

In addition, on Saturday February 15, between Weeks IV and V, the Desert International Horse Park is thrilled to announce “Equitation Saturday,” a one-day Equitation show that will host a variety of Medals. The classes to be included are: USHJA Jumping Seat Medal, Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal, NHS 3’3” Medal, ASPCA Horsemanship Medal, CPHA Hunter Seat Junior Medal, CPHA Hunter Seat Amateur Medal, CPHA Foundation Equitation Medal, THIS National Children’s Medal, and THIS National Adult Medal. These classes will be held in the Grand Prix Ring.

This new program is a result of collaboration of leading Equitation trainers including Jim Hagman and Georgy Maskrey-Segesman, and is sponsored by Acres West, Aleron Training Stables, Bridgeport Farms, Brookway Stables, Citrus Hill Farms, Elvenstar, Harley Brown Equestrian, Ingenium Farm, Oz Inc., Sonoma Valley Stables, and Whitethorne. This collaboration is a model for how Desert International Horse Park is working with trainers to best create innovative programs that enhance the experience for all riders at the horse park.

The Desert International Horse Park is thrilled to present this opportunity for Equitation riders to showcase their skills on the West Coast.

About the Desert International Horse Park
With about 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 10 weeks of world-class competition, eight during the Desert Circuit from January – March and two during the Sunshine Series in November, 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.

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