Press release from Desert International Horse Park

Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX) practically grew up in Southern California, so to him, Desert Holiday 1, presented by Brown Advisory, was like coming home. On Sunday, he got his first win at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) under its new management.

“The first time I was here I was maybe 10 years old jumping the .80m, so it’s been a long time,” Hank Guerreiro reflected. “I grew up in California for around 11 years, so I would call it a second home. I hadn’t been back to this show in six years so I’m really happy to see it grow and change so much. Everything is amazing and we’ve had such a good week here. We’ve really enjoyed everything. All the facilities have improved greatly and I’m really happy to see it like that.”

Facilities and improvements aside, Hank Guerreiro had something else to be thrilled with, and it was his horse’s performance in the $38,500 CAD Whittier Trust CSI5* 1.50m Winning Round Sunday to close the week. With H5 Chacco-San, owned by H5 Sporthorses LLC, he bested the 10 returning horses in the jump-off and claimed the win. Kara Chad (CAN) took second with Igor GPH, owned by Fordville farm, and fellow Canadian Erynn Ballard took third with Coconet, owned by Wight Show Stables.

“I bought him as an 8-year-old in Germany,” Hank Guerreiro said of the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Chacco-Blue x Sandro Boy). “He’s always been special but he’s really a fighter. I’ve had him for a while now. He was injured for about a year so he lost a little time, but this year he’s been so consistent; he’s had many second places so he really deserved it today. He fought for me the whole way. He’s been jumping really well the whole week. He’s a really fast, careful horse and we had been unlucky getting second place, but we pulled it off today so I’m really happy about that.”

Hank Guerreiro has spent the past six years on the East Coast and in Europe advancing his career as an international athlete.

“Growing up, [California had] a lot of amazing shows but at the National level,” he explained of why he relocated to pursue the sport. “For me that was really good because I didn’t need to jump internationally [at the time]. The past five or six years we’ve been based in Wellington and Europe because there weren’t as many international shows here. Places like this are changing that and hopefully people realize that. For me, California is the best place in the world and if there were more international shows I would stay here the whole year and be really happy. I’m happy that places like this can make California a bigger part of show jumping in North America.”

Just recently, the Mexican squad at the Pan American Games stood on the podium and secured Olympic qualification for their nation. For Hank Guerreiro, it fueled his fire even more knowing there was something concrete to work towards.

“It always is and always has been [on my radar],” he said of Olympic goals. “It has to be the right horse. I have a really talented 9-year-old that just stepped up into the 1.60m level recently. He had really good performances in Monterrey, so I have really high hopes for him. We’ll try our best but it’s always about right time, right place. We’ll give it everything and see what happens.”

In the near future, Hank Guerreiro’s plans are to remain in the desert for Desert Holiday 2, presented by Visit Greater Palm Springs, then hopefully return for the same event next season, especially since it’s a family affair.

“We’ll probably be back next year because my parents are here with my sister also showing,” he explained. “They’ve been really happy and have really enjoyed it. My dad won the Mediums today so I think we’re coming back for sure. We still have a place in San Diego.”

International action resumes for Desert Holiday 2, presented by Visit Greater Palm Springs, on Wednesday with Two Phase action.