Road to the Top Jumper Challenge Expands at DIHP

After a successful debut weekend in LA and Traverse City, the Road the Top Jumper Challenge will host its next event at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, CA.

The $25,000 RTTT Jumper Challenge will take place at the DIHP venue's Desert Holiday series on December 11, 2026, taking center stage in the Grand Prix arena.

Open to junior, amateur, and professional riders under the age of 25, the RTTT Jumper Challenge is a unique hybrid jumper/equitation competition that reflects the values of the foundation: skill, precision, and horsemanship. 

Set at 1.15m and run in a Table II, 2a format, the class is judged by both an equitation judge and a jumper judge. Riders must be clean with no time faults and an equitation score of 75 points or higher to proceed to the jump-off round; ultimately, the rider with the least faults and the highest cumulative score is the winner.

Thermal's event will also provide a rare opportunity to be evaluated by one of the world's most accomplished jumping athletes, as Olympic gold medalist and RTTT mentor Laura Kraut has committed to co-judge the competition.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Road to the Top Jumper Challenge to Desert International Horse Park,” said Executive Director Sissy Wickes. “The enthusiastic response to our inaugural classes in Los Angeles and Traverse City, particularly on the West Coast, has been tremendous. Having Olympic gold medalist Laura Kraut join the judging panel makes this an exceptional opportunity for talented riders to showcase their skill, style, and horsemanship.”

The Desert Holiday prize list is available now, with entries closing Nov. 10.