Diana Porsche makes history at the Grand Prix Special in Doha

Sensation in Doha (QAT): Diana Porsche and Dahoud win the Grand Prix Special with over 70%. It is the first Austrian victory in the history of the five-star tournament in Qatar.

Last week, 28-year-old Diana Porsche and her current top horse, the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Dahoud (Desiderio x Weltmeyer), made their first big trip by plane to Doha (QAT), where an international five-star dressage tournament was held at the impressive Al Shaqab facility.

After placing in the Grand Prix on Friday (21.02.2025), against dressage greats such as Swedish superstar Patrik Kittel or the Olympic surprise Sandra Sysojeva from Poland, the rider from Salzburg managed a magical ride in the Grand Prix Special. The judges all saw the Austrian duo in first place with a score of 70.447% and so the Austrian anthem was played for the first time in the history of the renowned international dressage tournament in Qatar.

“I am incredibly proud of how Dahoud has performed all week. It was his first time flying and he had to cope with the huge difference in temperature and the atmosphere in this incredible arena. The ride felt great! Dahoud was so focused and we had a lot of highlights, other things still need to be improved. It was Dahoud's first international win ever, and directly at a five-star show here in Doha, which is very special. The fact that I can start the season with him like this makes me very proud and shows that we are on the right track,” said the Salzburg rider jubilantly after her victory.

The next international show is a home game for Diana Porsche and Dahoud when they head to the Stadl-Paura Equestrian Center at Easter. Youngster Kentucky is also set to make his debut in the premier class there.