Perfect Williams jumps clear round to help Ireland win European Championships

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

ENNIS showjumper Coen Williams helped Ireland make history last weekend at the European Showjumping championships in Italy.

Williams comes from strong horse jumping stock and it showed as the Clareman helped Team Ireland on their to claiming gold at Gorla Minore, Italy.

James Kernan’s Show Jumping Junior (Under-18) team consisted of Kilkenny's James, Timmy and Eoin Brennan, Clare's Coen Williams and Tipperary's Tom Wachman. Their gold win came after Ireland's Under-21s also won at the same venue, seeing off The Netherlands in second, with Great Britain completing the podium in third place.

Ireland entered the final round on a score of 3.16, which gave them the buffer of one fence down to spare.

With Eoin Brennan finishing his round with an unlucky four faults on board Eskola M and and James Brennan having a score of eight on board MHS I’m The One (ISH) it meant pressure was on with Wachman and Williams still to jump.

Coolness personified, Wachman jumped impeccably on board the mare Cathalina S to steady the ship and leave Ireland one clear round from double gold.

With the final Dutch rider Nick Nanning applying the pressure following his own clear round it meant Williams needed to be perfect in order to secure the victory for Ireland.

With ice in his veins, the individual leader was sensational on board Conthanja yet again, jumping clear to give Kernan’s men a sensational victory.

Ireland finished the the competition on a score of 7.16 points, seeing off the Netherlands who finished up on 9.12 and there was a huge gap back to Great Britain on 24.02.

“I’m just so, so proud of these boys - they showed so much character to hold firm and perform to that level and bring the gold medal home,” Kernan said.

“Those four faults for Eoin that early in his round were so unlucky, he was magnificent to keep it at just four - and that set us up for Tom and Coen to deliver the goods.

“We know the two of them having watched them for the last few years, they thrive under pressure and they both jumped so well."

Coen, who this year graduated from Rice College, continues a succesful tradition of showjumping in the Williams family with older brother Rhys having also experienced international success. His family, run by parents Adrian and Paula, operate Parc Stables on the outskirts of Ennis.