ENNIS brothers Rhys and Coen Williams have made history in the showjumping world by becoming the first pair of siblings to be crowned leading international horse rider and leading International pony rider at the FEI International Jumping Nations Cup Youth Finals.
Competing in Peelbergen, Netherlands, current world champion Rhys won leading international horse rider while his younger brother Coen took the pony equivalent.
Rhys won the 1.30m international horse class on Thursday. He also won the same speed class again on Friday both days riding his parent’s (Paula & Adrian Williams – PARC Stables) horse Conthanja. On Saturday, he was the only rider to jump a double clear for his country in the U18 Nations Cup Finals leaving Ireland in 4th place for a finish with USA in 1st, Spain in 2nd and Belgium in 3rd.
Ireland continued to lead the way, with his brother Coen jumped in the pony section. He won the Int 1.25cm , 2 phase speed class on the Friday where Ireland had 2 brothers winning the international power and speed sections leaving behind France, Netherlands, GBR & Germany in the top 3 rankings.
On Sunday Coen, first of the Irish, riding Williams Sport Horses ‘Dun The Business’ really did do the business. After being the only Irish European team member in Poland in August last month to jump a double clear, he carried out a repeat with another double clear this time securing gold. Ireland are now the Federation Equitation International U16 Nations Cup Final winners 2021.
After the Irish Anthem, the victory parade, lap of honour and prize giving it was then announced that the Leading Horse rider of the show was Rhys Williams and the Leading Pony Rider of the show was Coen Williams.
Their high performance trainer Mr Denis Flannelly said “both boys showed such skill and professionalism, they are wonderful to work with, they are always listening and willing to learn and most mannerly. I’m delighted for them both, we will hear a lot more about them in the future”.
Rhys holds a European Gold and Silver medal and in 2019 Clare County Council hosted a civic reception in his honour after Rhys secured results that had not been brought back to Co Clare since 1967. Coen has won the National Leading rider accolade & is the current Leading U16 pony premier rider in Ireland.
