In her debut season in the Under 25 division Austrian Diana Porsche and her 12-year old Di Sandro won the Under 25 classes held at at the World Cup Qualifier in Salzburg, Austria; on 2 - 6 December 2015. With scores of 70.395% in the Intermediaire II and 75.050% in the Kur to Music, Porsche could not have asked for more from her partner.
“Di Sandro was absolutely fantastic and giving everything I was asking him for,” said 19-year old Diana. “For me it is still a big experience to ride in such an impressive arena alongside top class pairs from the World Cup tour.”
Wth little experience together at indoor shows, Diana only started riding Di Sandro (by De Niro x Sandro x Grundstein) one year ago. She is still adjusting her training in order to see what works best.
“In the weeks before we were changing a couple of details as a result of our experience from shows during the season. I have to say I was so thrilled that all our plans worked out. Even in the warm up he was so supple and 100% with me. This gave me a lot of confidence," she admitted.
Porsche's Di Sandro is a strong and self-confident horse, which can also be very sensitive and nervous. “In his box he is so super sweet and he knows exactly when it is time to work or if it is time for sugar and hugs. I love him so much," she explained.
Di Sandro was scouted by Diana's trainer Dieter Laugks who saw the perfect schoolmaster in him. “We bought him on 9 December 2014 and not even a full year later I have already won so many tests that I can´t really believe it myself," she stated.
Diana explained that the transition from Young Riders was not as difficult as it can be, particularly as her trainer Dieter had already schooled her in Grand Prix movements with her first horse Florencia.
“Everything went very quickly. In 2012 I only was riding L-Level test with my pony Quatro and trying to get single flying changes. By the end of the year I began training with Dieter Laugks and he found Florencia. With her I was competing at the European Championships for Juniors and this year the European Championships 2015 for Young Riders. Florencia is so talented for the Grand Prix movements and I could ride one time changes and passage after just a short period of training," she said.
Porsche has not planned on making a quick transition to the senior division; she will spend 2016 focusing on the International Under 25 tour. “My horses are based at Gut Ising at Lake Chiemsee which is about 40 km from my home in Salzburg," she said.
The Austrian is now set to head off for Florida for three months in 2016, which will be a once in a lifetime experience. Her hhorses will be based at the show grounds in Wellington. Diana has four horses in training at the moment: Di Sandro, Florencia, Eloy, and the 8-year old gelding Sion (by Sir Donnerhall).
Diana will now take a year off and then continue her studies at University for a degree in Sport and Event Management.
“In 2016 I hope to make the Under 25 team for the European Championships and my future aim is to continue to become a better rider," she added.
by Sarah Warne - Photo © Pappas Indoor Horse Show
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