Via Kathy Hobstetter on Facebook. Posts are public but I’ll copy and paste here.
Two announcements
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A FAREWELL MESSAGE FROM STEVE HANKIN
Because it has always been about the sport. Lisa and my passion has always been grounded in a love for horses and a desire to help build the sport, at all levels, for everyone.
When Lisa and I first discussed putting a group together to buy HITS Thermal eight years ago, I said, “It will be fun,” and she quickly corrected me, “It won’t be fun, but it might be rewarding.” And as usual, Lisa was right.
With this in mind, we set out six years ago to have a real impact on the sport. We started with a few simple priorities – build a great horse park, run a good horse show, treat people right – not quite understanding exactly what each meant and how they fit together. But along the way we learned not only how to build a horse’s horse park but just how important that was; why every stall had to be 12x12; why the bridle path and schooling rings were essential to keeping horses relaxed and happy for the entire season; how to continue to improve and improve the footing across the more than 30 rings and grass field; how to create the right experience, from how the park looked and felt when you arrived, to how every team member learned to say “yes”; how to ensure everyone knew we wanted them to be here; how to make it special for each competitor, whether in Main Hunter or Hunter 7; and why every ring, every day had to have live stream, despite the cost. We learned how important it was to run a good horse show and what it really meant, and to finish the day early, and always adding an extra ring rather than taking one away; and ultimately the importance of top sport, and special classes, and something new each week, and of bringing people from farther and farther away to the horse park and giving them such a good experience that not only would they stay for the week, but return again and again.
Of course, we, rather I, made a lot of mistakes. I own them all. All of you were incredibly patient while we learned. Over time, it became more of a “we” rather than a “me” and “you” and this past season, we started to hear the word “community.” I could not be more proud.
And speaking of last season, it truly was one for the record books. We had more horses, more trips, more new people, more returning people, more big classes, more big events, just more. And while more is not always better, in our case, it always meant investing more in the horse park. So, when you return this season, you’ll find the summer program of improvements include a new schooling ring out by the paddocks and new footing in Hunter 3 and 4, Hunter 3 and 4 warm-up, the grass field warm-up, the lunging ring, the retention pond, and Grand Prix. Not surprisingly, the improvements are once again focused on horses.
And so it is with considerable sadness that we, Lisa and I, are announcing the end of our involvement with the Desert International Horse Park. It took a lot of people to get to where we are today. We have an incredible team and I owe all of them an enormous thanks. That thanks extends to not only to the individuals that make the show happen in the office and at the rings that you see every day, but also the extended teams that are essential to doing what we do so well – the teams from East-West Equine Veterinary, and Four G Surfaces, and Meredith Clarke Farrier Service, and Contemporary Catering, and Jamaica Tents, and Salt and Jumps, Alex Wilson and the Roadrunners, and UC Davis, and USEF, and USHJA, and FEI. The list goes on. I will find a way to thank each of you personally.
As for us, our journey to help build the sport is not over, so we’ll see you soon as we make progress on our new projects to help build the sport and continue to invest in something we love and strongly believe in.
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PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE ‘NEW’ DIHP OWNERS: (quotes in FB post so I left them).
Desert International Horse Park Announces Ownership Transition
Thermal, CA – July 30, 2025 – The Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) would like to announce a change in ownership, effective July 30, 2025. The current ownership group, consisting of the Smith, Meadows, and Harvey families, has completed the acquisition of the remaining ownership interest formerly held by Steve and Lisa Hankin.
We are deeply grateful to Steve and Lisa for their vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment over the past six years. Under their guidance, DIHP has evolved from a venue in need of significant transformation into a world-class destination for equestrian sport. Their efforts, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the human and horse crises of the last five years, were instrumental in establishing the Horse Park as a premier venue enjoyed by trainers, exhibitors, vendors, and spectators from around the globe.
“We thank Steve and Lisa for their dedication to our mission and their many contributions to elevating the sport on the West Coast. Their impact on DIHP and the equestrian community will be lasting.”
Looking forward, the ownership group remains committed to building on this strong foundation. The current staff — who many of you know and work closely with — are already hard at work preparing for the upcoming season. We’re excited to share more updates soon, including new improvements to the facility and developments shaping the future of DIHP.
Thank you to our community for your continued support. We look forward to welcoming you back to Desert International Horse Park in the coming months!
Amberley