“WORDS can’t describe it, I am delighted.”

They were the words of 13-year-old Rhys Williams this week after returning home to Ennis, Co Clare, with a Children on Horses European gold medal hanging around his neck.

Aboard Marie Burke’s CES Cruson, Williams was the only rider to keep a clean sheet over the five rounds of jumping to win gold. At such a young age, he had very wise words to say after his first championship experience.

How did he feel going into the final round, knowing a clear round would see him stand on top of the podium, was there pressure?

“There was a lot of pressure but I was just trying not to overthink it and thankfully it all paid off.”

Rhys credits his father Adrian for much of his success and it is safe to say that he is the proudest person in Co Clare this week, alongside his wife Paula, and Rhys’ siblings, Coen and Scarlett. “It is what dreams are made of,” Adrian told The Irish Field.

“For us, it (the final round) was nerve wrecking but for him, I don’t know did he realise the magnitude of it, he stayed so calm.

“It was very emotional, the slightest mistake and he would have been jumping off for first, second or third place.”

The Williams’ thanked CES Cruson’s owner Marie Burke, who bred the lovely 11-year-old Chippison-sired gelding.

“Marie had the horse in fantastic form going into the championships. I thought maybe we should have done a bit more beforehand, but he was a fresh horse going in and that freshness stood to him.

“The atmosphere was amazing, the kids were in a great frame of mind going in. Everyone pulled together and the juniors and young riders were there to cheer them on. Mikey Pender was there at the pocket giving them bits of advice and that put great confidence into the kids, they grew as the week went on,” Adrian said.

And while the family were away in Fontainbleau, Coen was winning the 128cm Grand Prix in Cavan with Parc Giggles. The focus for Rhys now turns to the Pony Premier this weekend, where he is leading the 138cm league. “He is delighted but it is back to reality again!”

“Everyone talks about their own but the two lads work very hard, they are up in the yard riding every morning before they go to school, and they are riding lots of different types of horses and ponies, we are very proud of them,” their father, who has himself competed on an international stage and at a young riders Europeans for Ireland, added.

Both Rhys and Coen have qualified two ponies for the Dublin Horse Show, the next big outing on the calendar for the banner boys.