King of the Ring: Kyle King Wins the $100,000 Kubota Grand Prix at Desert International Horse Park

By Jumper News USA on November 1, 2026

Thermal, California – October 31, 2026 – Kyle King (USA) and Replay Touch v/d Stapelheyde topped the $100,000 Kubota Grand Prix on October 31, making them the first Saturday night lights winners of the 2026-2027 season at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California.

The highlight jumper class of National Sunshine Series 1, presented by Kubota, attracted a field of 38 entries to the Grand Prix Stadium to take on the Guilherme Jorge-designed course. At the end of the opening round, that course had narrowed the field down to 12 to return for the jump-off.

King and “Replay” were the ninth of those entries to take on the short course, so King had a good sense of what he needed to do to topple the previously leading time of 37.847 seconds, set by Amanda Gomez (USA) and Guibet P.

“I counted strides; I watched from the jumbotron, which is a mistake because it looks a lot slower out there, but I did count [Amanda’s] strides,” said King. “That horse, Replay, he wants to win more than I do. He’s just a winner. He’s half Thoroughbred horse, and he can really move. He really likes to run and jump. It was a great jump-off for us, wide open…I must have just been barely ahead.”

King was indeed just barely ahead, as he and Replay stopped the clock in 37.622 seconds – but that two-tenths of a second was all they needed to secure the win.

“I’m just super proud of that horse,” said King of the 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, owned by the Chess Group. “He knows how to win. This is probably his fifth kind of big win this season. All of a sudden, he just clicked, and he’s been winning some big ones when it counts and making good prize money and stepping up the ranks. So, I’m just happy to have him. He’s a trier.”

Second place behind King went to Amanda Gomez (USA) and Guibet P, owned by Ferme Tandem. In addition to taking home the overall second-place honor, Gomez was also presented as the winner of both the $5,000 Champion Shavings U25 overlay and the Frank & Elieen Leading Lady Rider Award.

**Cassio Rivetti** (BRA) & **Chalina’s Clou PS**

Rounding out the top three were Cassio Rivetti (BRA) and Chalina’s Clou PS, owned by Monarch Farms.

For King, the win came at the venue he calls home for much of the year.

**Kyle King** (USA) & **Replay Touch v/d Stapelheyde**

“It feels great to be back. I live here,” he said. “I’m usually the first one on this property. I’ve been here for a month already, and I’m the last one to leave.”

As an early arriver to DIHP each season, King was onsite as facility improvement projects were completed this summer. Of those projects, King singled out newly paved roadways as something he is most appreciative of, noting his barn sits at the end of one of the previously unpaved roads.

“That dirt road is so bumpy by the end of these circuits, it would just tear up your golf carts, and I run that road all day long,” King said. “So, I am so happy that they paved the whole driveway. It just makes my life and my back so much better. The VIP looks great. I was in there earlier today, and that looks awesome. They try so hard here. My barn’s in great shape. The footing is in amazing shape. We’re lucky to have this place.”

To learn more about all competition at Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.