Jessica Dertell has just returned from four months in Europe competing in the European Dressage Circuit. We asked her about her time competing on the Continent:

"In Europe there are so many more riders and stables. And because of this they have a lot more combinations in each class, many more competitors at each level than Australia. At nearly every show you are competing against Olympic, World Cup or WEG competitors!

But even though there are more riders and champion riders, everyone is still super friendly and love what they do!

We may have smaller fields of riders in Australia but we are all judged on the same test and score scale around the globe, so, it is all similar in a way.

The level of training in Europe is amazing! We all train towards the same goals and aspire to be the best we can but because there are so many more riders in Europe, there is a lot more knowledge. Every rider is different in the way they train and you're able to lean on your fellow riders for tips and tricks.

If I had any advice for aspiring dressage riders in Australia, it is to work hard. And when you think you've worked hard enough, you haven't, keep trying. There is always more to learn so never be afraid to reach out and ask for help. The best riders in the world still have a mentor or a coach. Even at the very top!

Always have a good support crew around you as this industry can be tough. You will ride out the highest of highs and the lowest of lows but with a good team you will always make it out the other side.

And always remember you never know what tomorrow may bring so love your horse every step of the way and you're guaranteed success.

During my time in Europe I was very fortunate to stay with people who treated me as part of the the family. The Vincourt-Krom family had an apartment on the farm for me to live in and we had dinner together every night. Their two kids were about the same age as me so I could hang out with them when I wasn't training or riding.

On some weekends when I wasn't training, I would head down to Germany and stay with my partner, Conor and go to the jumping shows to support him.

I lived and breathed horses the whole time in Europe!

Now that I am back in Australia I'm going to take some time to regroup and plan a few more goals. One of which is to make ready our own KWPN stallion 'Kilimanjaro' for the Grand Prix. We have owned him from a young horse and I have trained him the whole way through. He has started all the GP movements but it's now time to solidify the work and prepare to make the next big step.

Kilimanjaro is definitely a horse to keep an eye out for! Not only is he really handsome and trainable but he's also a super quiet mummy's boy. He is completely unlike any stallion I've been around. I have a very strong bond with him and can't wait to show him to the world.

We have just broken in Kilimanjaro's first foal crop. I'm really excited to see how they progress, but so far, they take after their dad."