The Dublin Horse Show. Talk about atmosphere. There are truly no words to describe the main ring—you just have to experience it.

On or off the horse, this should definitely be a show on your bucket list. The place is jam-packed every day. There is a ton to see and, to be honest, it can be a bit overwhelming. However, the turnout is what makes this place so special. The roar and rumble of the crowd is unlike any other when a local legend steps on that field.

I could imagine the only comparable crowd and venue would be Aachen—which I have not attended…yet! The Nations Cup is incredible to see in person. Getting to watch Team USA win the Aga Khan trophy was historic—literally, being the first all-female team to win this prestigious trophy! Go ladies!

In addition to a great U.S. victory, my trainer, Greg Broderick, was named Leading International Rider. He won two of the speed classes with the best, and speediest, horse at Ballypatrick, Zuidam. He also had great top finishes in the bigger classes, which helped clench his leading rider title. Getting to watch and cheer on Greg, Darragh Ryan (Ballypatrick’s second rider), and Rose (fellow American student training with Greg) is always fun when everyone does so well! Darragh won the 5-year-old championship. And Rose placed second in her Young Rider class (this being her first time competing at Dublin). Congrats to everyone on the Dublin successes!

Killossery Kaiden having some down time grazing.

With Dublin complete, preparations for Lanaken (the World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses) have begun. Rewind to one year ago, shortly after Greg returned from the Rio Olympic Games, we were off to watch Lanaken at Zangersheide. Lanaken is another fantastic atmosphere, especially for the young horses to experience so early on in their careers. If you are into breeding and development of the young horses in show jumping, this is the show for you.

While spectating, I watched Ger O’Neill win the gold medal in the 6-year-old championship on Killossery Kaiden. At the time, I had no idea this very special horse would soon be part of my four-legged family. Come back to the present, and I am one week out from attending Lanaken, again, only this time as a rider aboard last year’s champ, Killossery Kaiden.

Killossery Kaiden and me in action at the Mullingar show this summer.

Nerves are a funny thing. I would not categorize myself as a “nervous” person in any aspect of my life. However, I do get a feeling before a big competition that is hard to explain. I think it is a mixture of anxiousness, excitement, determination, and nerves—I call this “butterflies.” Benson Carroll, who trained me in the peak of my equitation career, always told me it was normal to have butterflies as long as they flew in formation. Whenever I get this feeling, I think of him and how he would always lay a sense of calm through me before entering the arena. For me, this is how I define having butterflies.

Lanaken is one week away and I am definitely feeling those butterflies fluttering around. I am anxious to get there. I am excited to compete. I am determined to do my absolute best. I am nervous that I will blow it on the big stage with the reigning champion. What I keep reminding myself is I have a fantastic support system behind me—Greg and Team Ballypatrick, my family and friends (near and far), and my wonderful steed that has been there and done it all before.

My dad Bob (center) and I with Greg at Lanaken last year.

To prepare for Lanaken, we have been training a lot at home with flat work and grid work. We have also done a few training shows to really perfect rideability, as the horses change in new environments. Even if they feel perfect at home, you have to test what they are going to be like elsewhere.

I think being able to go train “off campus” for a day is extremely beneficial. We have really put the focus on the flat work and perfecting that to make it translate easier when we start to jump. I fully back any and all trainers who emphasize how important flat work truly is and how much of a difference it makes for you and more importantly your horse.

If you and your horse are having issues with jumping, take it back a notch and focus on the basics. I know for me, I need the reminder every now and then to “do less.” Recently, I’ve been getting my head wrapped around doing too much when things seem to not be going smoothly. Sometimes, when I am confused, I fight fire with fire—which never ends well. Having Greg there to chime in and reassure me that doing less is “OK” and usually to my benefit is much appreciated. Sometimes, less is more.

We are currently at Cavan for the week where I will be competing my 6-year-old, Ballotti, and my 7-year-old, Killossery Kaiden. Kaiden is here to keep in the program and to not have a week off prior to Lanaken. While here we will focus on keeping his rideability smooth by showing in a couple smaller classes and saving his jump for the championship next week.

My young horse Ballotti having a snooze.

It is also a good distraction for me to stay in competition mode and occupy myself mentally by being at a show. Better to stay in the groove of things than sitting at home with the anticipation building.

That all being said, I genuinely can’t wait for next week no matter how it shakes out. Win or lose, I am excited for the experience. Fingers crossed I can get my butterflies in formation.

Adrienne Dixon, 29, from Hillsborough, Calif., is living the dream—training in Ireland with top show jumper Greg Broderick. After balancing her riding career with a full-time non-horse job for five years, Dixon decided to take the plunge and move her horse sales business to Ireland to train. You can read all about her decision to go to Ireland in her first blog, “California Goes Clover” and read all her blogs.