KATE Dwyer scored the biggest win of her career this morning (Saturday) when taking victory in the CDI5* Grand Prix Special at Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab, presented by Longines, in Doha, Qatar.

Last to go in the six-horse class and riding her 14-year-old gelding Snowdon Faberge, she scored a personal best of 70.04% to beat Belarus’ Hann Karasiova into second place. It was yet another ground breaking moment for Irish dressage as Dwyer is the first rider to win a CDI5* Grand Prix Special.

Dwyer and her mum Maureen had tears in their eyes as the score was announced by Irish commentator Paul Nolan.

Speaking afterwards, she said: “I am a little bit in shock but so happy. I just felt today I really had him with me in that ride, he was taking me every step of the way. When I came up that last centre line I was like ‘oh my goodness, this is what it feels like’!”

“Although Fabio doesn’t have the biggest extended trot, it is nice, rhythmical, and harmonious, and the passage is quite good and regular so it shows off the strength,” she added.

Following a 10th place finish in yesterday’s Grand Prix, Dwyer said her aim was to break the 70% mark and was overjoyed to have done that. “I finally hit the 70%!” she said, adding that it was a huge moment to hear Amhrán na bhFiann play out around the incredible arena at Al Shaqab.

“There was tears in my eyes. It is so lovely to hear it, and it’s not that often you hear it, so I am delighted and really proud. When I looked back and saw my mark I just couldn’t stop the tears, I just couldn’t believe it!”

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