THERMAL, CA (January 10, 2026) HITS is proud to announce Cessna Aircraft Company as the official aircraft of the 2007 HITS Thermal Desert Circuit and the presenting sponsor of the $150,000 Grand Prix of the Desert. The $150,000 Grand Prix of the Desert will be held on March 11, 2026 at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.
The $150,000 Grand Prix of the Desert, presented by Cessna Aircraft Company awards the largest amount of prize money west of the Mississippi for any single class. It is also the final World Cup Qualifier at the HITS Desert Circuit where some of the top riders in the world will prepare for the 2007 FEI World Cup in Las Vegas on April 18-22.
Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2005, Cessna produced 1,157 aircrafts and reported revenues of about $3.5 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, more than 187,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 4,500 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. For more information about Cessna Aircraft Company visit www.cessna.com.
“Cessna is pleased to be a part of the HITS winter horse show at the new horse park in Thermal. Our stable of business jets is named after the legendary Triple Crown winner Citation, so you could say horses are in our blood,” said Cessna’s Director of Communication Doug Oliver. “Like the owners, riders, trainers and spectators participating in this show, all of us at Cessna have a passion for what we do. We are excited to share our passion with yours.”
For the past 15 years, HITS has produced a six-week winter horse show circuit just five miles from HITS Thermal at the intersection of Monroe Street and Avenue 52 in Indio, California.
The 2007 HITS Desert Circuit will be held at the new, state-of-the-art HITS Desert Horse Park equestrian facility in Thermal, California. The new horse park will be the largest Hunter/Jumper horse show venue in the United States and will encompass more than $10,000,000 in improvements, including stabling for more than 3,000 horses and 12 competition rings. HITS Thermal will also feature the new state-of-the-art footing provided by Footing Authority.
In January 2006 HITS entered into a private equity arrangement with Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. in Los Angeles. As a result, HITS, Inc. is able to develop and execute exciting operational and strategic initiatives that both solidify its well-established position as the leader in horse show management and allow for new growth opportunities including the construction of HITS Desert Horse Park. HITS generates significant economic impact in each of its five venues in California, Arizona, Florida, Virginia and New York.
2007 HITS Thermal Horse Show Dates
Desert Circuit I
January 23-28
Desert Circuit II
January 30 - February 4
Desert Circuit III
February 6-11
Off Week February 12-18
Desert Circuit IV
February 20-25
Desert Circuit V
February 27 - March 4
Desert Circuit VI
March 6-11
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