THERMAL, California, Aug. 8, 2025–Matt Morrissey, a veteran of horse show management, has been named general manager of Desert International Horse Park, the premier equestrian center on the U.S. West Coast.
Matt will head up a management group of the horse park that currently hosts 19 weeks of competition from October through April.
Matt began his career in childhood, working with his father Michael Morrissey and his uncle, Gene Mische, founder of Stadium Jumping that created the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.
In 2012, Matt co-founded with his father Morrissey Management Group that managed events such as the American Invitational, Lake Placid Horse Shows, American Gold Cup, Palm Beach Masters and the National Horse Show.
Two years later, he became an operating partner of Traverse City Horse Shows in Michigan. Matt expanded show offerings from four weeks to 13 weeks to include the American Gold Cup, Longines FEI World Cup Jumping, FEI North American Youth Championships, CSIO3* Nations Cup and the $100,000 WCHR Midwest Spectacular.
The inaugural final of the $250,000 dressage U.S. Open will be staged at Thermal in November.
“Joining Desert International Horse Park represents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth of equestrian sport on the West Coast,” said Matt. “DIHP’s quality of footing, amount of space, incredible weather and commitment to excellence create the perfect environment for athletes to pursue their competitive goals.”
