Of Palm Trees and Ponies: A Winter Equestrian Heaven in Palm Springs
For the 1000+ equestrian competitors who make the HITS Thermal Winter Circuit their home from January - March, there’s nowhere else they’d rather be. And whether you are a rider or simply a winter snow bird looking for some sun, there’s plenty of great reasons to head south to the resort-minded locale of Palm Springs, California to experience the winter season Fresh off her own trip to the desert, TSG Equestrian editor Molly Knott supplies her tips for a trip to this equestrian paradise.
Only 15 minutes from the HITS Desert Horse Park, the historic town of La Quinta is the ideal place to stay for a trip to the Thermal horse show.
Nestled under the Santa Rosa mountains and established as a desert hideaway for early Hollywood celebrities (think Garbo and Gable), the La Quinta Resort & Club is a favorite amongst equestrians, celebrities, and the golf and tennis set. It is impossible to not be enchanted by La Quinta’s hacienda-style adobe casitas, manicured grounds fragrant with the scent of orange blossoms, and exceptional service. It is also a pet friendly resort - with miles of trails, comfortable in-room doggie amenities, and even the option for doggie massage.
The nearby Legacy Villas at La Quinta offers one, two, and three bedroom villas, an 11,000 sq. ft clubhouse, state of the art fitness facility, and 9 salt water community pools. In nearby Indio (also a great location for horse show-goers), the Indian Palms Country Club & Resort features a tranquil boutique hotel situated on our 27 hole championship golf course
If you are staying at the La Quinta Resort, several favorite dining options are just a short stroll across the grounds: fine dining at Morgan’s in the Desert, outstanding bistro fare at Twenty6, and inventive Mexican at the Adobe Grill. (Room service features the Twenty6 menu, so if you’re too spent to go out, dining in-room is a great option.)
Arnold Palmer’s is an institution for classic steakhouse fare and an array of the golf great’s memorabilia. And Cuistot, in nearby Palm Desert, turns out delicious French cuisine by Bernard Dervieux, former executive chef at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
If you want to kick up your heels like the horsey set, don’t miss the Tack Room Tavern at the Empire Polo Club. Order an Empire Manhattan and cut a rug to local bands. You’ll see riders still in their boots and breeches, but you don’t need them to climb onto one of the saddles flanking the bar. Open for lunch and dinner, until 12:30 am.
A stylish sun hat is a must and maybe a new swim suit too. The shops at La Quinta Resort are impeccably curated and it’s worth it to drive into Palm Springs to, at the very least, window shop the luxury boutiques that glitter along Palm Canyon Drive. The El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert is a bit closer to your home base and offers similar options.
At the horse show itself you’ll find “Vendor Row,” offering both equestrian equipment and stylish riding wear like boots, belts, breeches, and more.
Competitors flock to the HITS Thermal Desert Circuit as a mecca of equestrian sport, featuring eight weeks of competition from January - March, 7 competition arenas, and 43 barns. A family atmosphere permeates the show and grand prix horse and rider combinations compete in arenas adjacent to classes for amateur competitors of all ages, from beginner to advanced. For 2016, week IV features the $100, 000 FEI Longines World Cup Qualifier and week VIII features the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix.
On TSG Editor Molly Knott’s don’t miss list: Head to the Empire Polo Club for Sunday polo from January - April. The VIP for a day ($25/person) includes brunch services on the club’s patio overlooking the polo field. Or pack a picnic and tailgate on the field’s east side ($10/car). Even a seasoned equestrian can’t help but feel the thrill when the ponies come thunderously close to the boards, mallets cracking as they pursue a little white ball.
For horsepower of another variety, thrill seekers can book a program at the BMW Performance Driving School at The Thermal Club. Sessions range from two hours to two days. The M Track Drive puts you behind the wheel of a 425 turbocharged horsepower M car to handle the twists and turns on one of The Thermal Club’s world class road courses. After 6 exhilarating laps in a BMW M3 or M4, you’ll hop in the passenger seat with your BMW professional driving instructor to experience the true capabilities of an M car on a Hot Lap.
For an experience of a decidedly slower speed, golfers have a myriad of options in one of the world’s most renowned meccas for the sport. Both resort and public guests can take advantage of the legendary courses owned by La Quinta Resort & Club - click here for details. Nearby SilverRock Resort also offers public tee times.
Cuistot photo courtesy of Cuistot restaurant; arena photo courtesy of Kate Houlihan; all other photos by Molly Knott.
titsay
prguitarman
jacobvanloon
gummygunk
blakekathryn
tangentwithtanner