"I'm very nervous. I suppose it's because there is some really tough competition and for me, I don't know why, but I actually find doing an event at your home track hard.
"People expect you to do well but with horses, it doesn't always happen. They've got their own brain and all that."
Her mount Charlton Tabloid which she has been riding for the past three years was a good horse and looked ready for a good run this weekend, Dufty said.
"I think she's ready for it but I have been changing a few things in my show jumping with my coach. So if she doesn't quite click on to that, it could not go so well.
"She's definitely ready, like I've done that same event in Rotorua before and at the same level and she went around good. But [it depends] just on the day, I suppose."
Dufty will compete against nine other riders in her division with King Country's Ashleigh McKinstry on Pioneer Makokomiko moving down from advanced most likely the favourite.
McKinstry is the winner of the Puhinui three-day event and has an unassailable lead in the Massey University Young Riders series.
In the junior riders' division 10 riders will compete, with Tokoroa's Sarah Young riding Oakley Vision looking to defend her title. Young will also ride High n Dry in the championship.
The youngster leads the junior series on High n Dry and is second behind McKinstry in the Young Riders series.
It is the second successive year the champs have taken place in Rotorua and Dufty hopes there will be plenty of Rotorua residents heading to the event to support the local riders. The dressage and show jumping begins tomorrow with riders competing in the cross country on Sunday. The event will also host an area trial for the Bay of Plenty Pony Club for riders wanting to represent the area at the NZPCA horse trial champs.
Entry to the event is free. Dogs on a lead are allowed on the A&P; grounds.