Desert Holiday I December 1 - 5 Usef # 341069
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PENDING USEF APPROVAL REVISED AUGUST 20, 2021 DESERT INTERNATIONAL HORSE PARK THERMAL, CA DESERT HOLIDAY I DECEMBER 1 - 5 USEF # 341069 PREMIER HUNTER RATING USEF JUMPER RATING 6* FEI CSI 5* FEI CSI 2* DESERT HOLIDAY II DECEMBER 8 - 12 USEF # 339634 PREMIER HUNTER RATING USEF JUMPER RATING 6* FEI CSI 5* FEI CSI 2* In just our second year of having a December show circuit, Desert Holiday has been expanded into what we hope will turn out to be one of the most important jumper events that we host. In fact, we foresee that one day Desert Holiday could turn out to be a turning point for the high-performance level of the sport in California. We have been actively involved in conversations around the Major League Show Jumping launch for nearly two years. In deciding to both host two events, including the Finale, and sponsor a team, the DIHP Roadrunners, we understood the significance of having two FEI 5* events at the horse park, and the challenge it placed on us to make sure the horse park was ready for prime time. We knew early on that the League would bring many top riders to the desert for the first time, many top riders for a return after a long hiatus, and all of these riders to the desert for the longest time they had ever spent at the horse park. We had to be ready! And so, after only two years of ownership, we are excited to host the first consecutive FEI 5* events in California history. While the FEI 5* events will take center stage, we have also expanded our hunter, jumper, and equitation programs to offer a show for everyone. We have an exciting FEI 2* program, have maintained our national jumper program, and will have a range of hunter and equitation highlights, including a new Equitation Pro Challenge. It will be a great two weeks to come compete as well as watch the top riders in the world here in the desert. In anticipation of Desert Holiday and the eighteen weeks in the 2021/2022 show schedule, we have been hard at work on improving every aspect of our horse show – the physical facility, the competition, and our hospitality. WHAT’S NEW AT THE DESERT INTERNATIONAL HORSE PARK 1. EXPANDED BRIDLE PATH – We have continued the bridle path along the Southern boundary of the property, nearly tripling the length of the pathway. The path is typically 20 feet wide and now consists of sand footing the entire length. 2. ADDITIONAL SCHOOLING RING – We have built another new schooling ring, measuring 250’x250’ past the paddocks. This should be available for use this fall and will have new footing in it. 3. UPGRADED PADDOCKS – We have re-graded the paddocks and installed a new irrigation system. We hope you’ll see a fair bit of new grass when you arrive this fall. 4. NEW GRASS ARENA – It is hard to miss! We are incredibly proud of this new arena and can’t wait to see horses ride on it. The new grass arena has a state-of-the-art irrigation system and is 250’x500’ in size. It has a very welcoming bank and devil’s dyke. 5. IMPROVED HUNTER RINGS – We have done extensive work to the hunter rings. New footing has been installed in Hunter 2, 3, and 4, as well as the main hunter schooling area. New landscaping has been completed in all seven hunter rings. A new viewing area and shade structure has been added between Hunter 3 and 4. A new berm has been added on the north side of Hunter 7 along with viewing cabanas. This ring will now host the Pony competitions each weekend. We have also added a new sound system for the Main Hunter ring. 6. INTRODUCTION OF GRAND EQUITATION ARENA – Equitation is a huge priority at DIHP. In an effort to ensure the primary ring (originally Jumper 3) for equitation events is distinctive, we have made a number of improvements, including a new bank, fencing, and new footing. 7. IMPROVED JUMPER RINGS – We are beginning work on replacing the footing in Jumper 1 and Jumper 1 Schooling in advance of the upcoming season. We have also closed the berm on the northwest side of Jumper 1, and added a video scoreboard board for Jumper 1. We have also added a new berm on the north side of Jumper 4 and 5 to create a better experience in those rings. 2 | REVISED AUGUST 20, 2021 8. NEW GRAND PRIX ARENA – We have completed an upgrade to the footing in the GP arena and GP Schooling, which includes a new ebb and flow watering system, the installation of OTTO mats which add considerable cushioning, and a new sand/footing material combination. We believe this investment will give DIHP one of the premier equestrian arenas in North America. We have also added a new, expanded shade structure, new entranceway, and new landscaping around the entire arena. We have also replaced the sound system for the GP Arena and Schooling area. 9. IMPROVED VIP EXPERIENCE – We have added new tents, furniture, food service areas, and other amenities to greatly improve the VIP experience. We think it will be the best spot to cheer on the events in the GP and Main Hunter arenas. 10. REDESIGNED VENDOR ROW – We have lengthened vendor row and integrated the food trucks in the midst of the stores. We have also added new seating for viewing Jumper 2. 11. ADDITIONAL PARKING – We have expanded the parking lot on the South side of the property and moved the golf cart vendor to a different area. This greatly expands the number of parking spaces close to the barns and tents. 12. NEW FEI STABLE AREA – We have moved the FEI stabling area next to the FEI Schooling ring. The new area will have four new clear span tents with 12x12 stalls. We have reduced the number of stalls in each tent and changed the layout to allow for more room in the aisleways. Locating the tents next to the schooling ring will make the jog more convenient and easier for athletes to school their horses. 13. IMPROVED WIFI – Finally, fiber comes to the horse park! We are fortunate that Spectrum has installed fiber along Airport Boulevard so that we can replace our microwave system with a dedicated fiber line. We hope to have this work complete by the start of the season, which will improve our video service and speed up your transactions with the office/ShowGroundsLive. SAFETY AND HYGEINE AT THE DESERT INTERNATIONAL HORSE PARK Safety, security, and health are top of mind at the horse park every day. The fact is, during a busy week with over 2,000 horses, it feels more like I am a mayor of a city. Safety and security are paramount, but ultimately the responsibility of everyone on the property. We look forward to a great partnership with all of you on these important areas of the horse show. 1. TIGHTER TRAFFIC CONTROL – We have added a large number of traffic signs and will be closing certain roads once competition begins to reduce the mix of cars and horses. We will also be enforcing parking restrictions much more rigorously around the barns. 2. ADDITIONAL BIOSECURITY – EHV-1 is always a threat. The recent experience in Northern California is a great reminder. The USDA/USEF have recommended hygiene procedures, including avoiding sharing tack and feed/water buckets. We appreciate REVISED AUGUST 20, 2021 | 3 if everyone would familiarize themselves with these guidelines and do their best to implement them. We work very closely with the CDFA, and should a situation warrant it, we will aggressively implement their recommended actions. 3. CURRENT COVID-19 PROTOCOLS – We are ever so hopeful that COVID-19 continues to become a smaller and smaller risk to everyone. We’ll continue to publish and enforce the protocols that are required by relevant authorities of the State of California, the County of Riverside, and FEI and USEF. 4. NEW SECURITY/CREDENTIALS – This year we will be installing a new credential and security system. We are fortunate in that most of the traffic entering and exiting the facility is at one entrance. We will be issuing unique photo IDs and will scan every person inbound and outbound. We will also be installing security cameras at the entrance that will coordinate with the scanning system. THE SHOW DAY AT DESERT INTERNATIONAL HORSE PARK There has been considerable discussion across the industry this past year about show days that are too long and facilities that are overcrowded. We have a strong point of view on this topic and will continue our efforts to make for reasonable show days for everyone. With the largest amount of competition space in the US, we are uniquely positioned to provide a reasonable day for riders and trainers. But in addition to our space, we will make sure we have adequate staff, including judges, announcers, in-gate managers, stewards, ring crew, and videographers, to add rings as needed to run classes as efficiently as possible. 1. REDUCED STALLS – We have reduced the number of stalls available this season to cap the crowd at the horse park. We have no additional space to add tents/stalls as the season progresses. 2. EXPANDED RIDING AREAS – As mentioned above, we have added another large schooling ring and lengthened the bridle path. These efforts, along with the additional schooling rings added last year, allow us to use the entire 239 acres of the property for riders and horses and reduces the congestion in the warm up rings.