Humphries took two one-star horses, Tiger of the Woods and Bruce Almighty to the tournament and Hewson rode Waratah Astronomical in preliminary division.

Unfortunately Humphries withdrew her two rides after the dressage phase as her horses showed fatigue.

“We were within the realm to be in the placings but I knew cross country would be a push,” Humphries said.  

“I’m lacking time and resources and I never expected to have two horses at that level.

“It felt terrible (not finishing the state championships) but having two horses at that level is a good problem, I just have to reassemble things coming into the season.”

Humphries swung straight into coach mode and assisted Hewson at her first state tournament aboard Waratah.

Hewson recently upgraded to the experienced horse and wanted to test him for the next grade.

“I got him from an ex-Olympian and the horse has proven himself,” Hewson said.

“It’s a bold event and I wanted a testing run for the next stage.”

At Goulburn, Hewson competed against riders with Olympic and international experience such Annabell Armstrong, Heath Ryan, Sam Lyle and Canberra three-star event winner Teegan Ashby.

Hewson said she was better off for the experience after lining up against riders of that standard.

“I was really stoked to be up against some of those riders and when you were in the warm-ups, looking around, it was pretty unreal,” Hewson said. 

Humphries was impressed by Hewson’s ability to handle pressure, rather than be intimidated by her opponents.

“To get in there and hold her own was fantastic,” Humphries said. 

“It did not rattle her at all and some of those riders are world class.

“She finished three phases with very little faults and had a great weekend.”