Ryan is fresh from six months competing on the European dressage circuit, where she was named the reserve rider in the Australian dressage team at the Beijing Olympics.

She will be joined by fellow Olympians – husband Heath Ryan, Mary Hanna (Melbourne) and Rachael Sanna (Sydney) – and a strong field of Hunter Valley riders at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park, from Thursday to Sunday.

Ryan will be riding DP Christopher (owned by Susan Duddy) in the Grand Prix, which is the highest level of horse and rider training, as well as her own Jive Magic in the Prix St Georges/Intermediate I.

Her Olympic horse Donna Carrera (owned by Susan Duddy) stayed in Europe to be sold.

Ryan said her international experience had been invaluable.

“We did a lot of shows while we were there,” she said.

“We had a fantastic time and Donna was fantastic,” Ryan said.

“In Australia we only get four CDI (international level) competitions a year but in Europe they have them every weekend, so there is so much more opportunity to get the horses used to the big shows and competing at that level.

“In Europe the riders are also allowed to acclimate their horses in the arenas, which we can’t do in Australia, so you’re riding with all these fantastic riders and learning as much as you can.

“With the training and number of shows and mixing with the top riders ... it is very inspiring.”

With limited opportunities in Australia to compete at international level, it places a lot of pressure on the horses and riders to do well, Ryan said.

“When you go over on a trip like that you’re not going to learn everything but you try to bring home as much as possible,” she said.

“Hopefully everybody who comes back will pass on as much as they can to their students and horses.