as a professional is evident when she speaks. She is an asset to our sport and an integral part of what makes the Menlo Circus Club atmosphere welcoming. Stop by and drop in the next time the road takes you through Menlo Park, California, it will be an interesting visit.
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1. Where were you born and raised? I was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Hid- den Hills. I now live in Woodside, which is a bit like Hidden Hills North.
2. Tell us a bit about your Junior career, train- ing history, show history.....work or volunteer history. My mother and I began riding at Onondarka
riding Club in Calabasas in the mid 70’s. Any- one that knows my mother Susan can tell you that when she starts out doing something, she does it up in a grand way. Before we knew it, we had moved to Hidden Hills and not only had horses in our backyard, but a full time lay-up fa- cility for Race Horses. I spent my 8-11 year old year’s riding at Foxfield, while my mother rose up the Amateur hunter ranks under the eye of people like Debbie Sands, Randy Redmer, Tom Blackiston, Butch & Lu Thomas and ultimately with Karen Healey. When it came time to “move up,” I too be-
gan to ride with Karen and the rest is history. Through Karen and my mother I was exposed to some of the greats in our sport and I value the opportunities afforded me as a junior now more than ever. I was able to compete “In- doors” 3 consecutive years, was a member of the 1988 Zone 10 Young Riders and Prix des States Teams, and finished up 4th in the Nation in the Junior Jumpers that year. I competed in my first Grand Prix at the age of 18 on my horse ‘Make My Day’. Shortly after I turned professional I began
working for Jimmy Williams and Susie Hutchi- son at Flintridge Riding Club. That introduction was an experience that I to this day I am hon- ored to have had. I then spent several years in San Diego working with Chuck Esau and Nancy Nordstrom, then a year in Calabasas working with Leslie Steele, and then on to Pennsylvania to work with Barbie Bancroft. However, the California Girl in me called
me back to the Bay Area in 1997 to work with Carleton Brooks at The Menlo Circus Club. I opened Round Meadow Farm at “the Club” in 2003 and love my job!
3. What do you miss about "home" when you are on the road?
I love my house and I enjoy cooking, but most
of all I value the time I have with my best friend and soul mate David. He is a Sergeant with the San Mateo Police Department and works an even crazier schedule that I do, so our time to- gether is something we treasure. On a professional level, I miss the time for
‘detail oriented’ teaching that was instilled in me by Karen. I am a firm believer that you should make good habits, break bad ones and the hard work we put in at home will pay off in the show ring.
Mom! we love this sport to begin with.
5. Your trainers, mentors and friends….what in- fluence have they had on you..? Onondarka and the Simington Family showed me that a family can accomplish anything; Fox- field taught me that we are in the business of making memories; Karen taught me that hard work can get you anywhere. Jimmy and Susie showed me that there are different ways to ac- complish the same thing, and Carleton taught me to keep all of this in perspective. My Family taught me to be strong, and my boyfriend David showed me that it’s ok to feel weak when you have people that love you. The horse world is small, and true friends are
invaluable. I have always thought that “you can learn what to do and what not to do from every- one you meet”. (A Jimmyism, I will admit)
6. Tell me about winning, what it means and the people you want to thank. As a professional, it is the result of the blood,
4. How important is equitation to you? VERY!! Growing up in Karen’s program we were taught that the American system of Hunter Seat Equitation is the foundation of all the riding we do. Rhythm, Balance and Track are things that come from consistency, and consistency is achieved through practice. It is extremely impor- tant to me that our sport continue to respect what has brought us many Gold Medals and World Cup Championships while not bending too far in any direction in the interest of making money. There is always room for adaptation and personal style, but without the foundation of good hands and seat brought to us by the greats in our sport, lately Americans have not had the success we previously had Internationally. Evolution is fantastic, let’s just not forget why
sweat and tears of the team. I am the first to admit that the behind the scenes work that goes into a big victory was not something I was very aware of as a Junior. I was fortunate and didn’t even realize it. I have been privy to some of the greats in our sport and the avenues that I have been able to take as a result of the foundation I was given as a child by my parents, trainers and friends is invaluable. To this day, the first question George Morris will ask me is “How’s Mother?” This is true of so many people in this sport, and I am thankful for her.
7. What makes you laugh a deep, tear causing laugh that leaves your cheeks sore from smiling so. The laugh that makes it hard to breathe? Hearing David laugh his true laugh when we are home. The funny stories horse people tell while wait-
ing around the back gate…. Macella O’Neill tells some of the best, she never ceases to amaze me. My nephew Cooper, my dogs Artie and Gracie, the kids at Round Meadow Farm.
8. What takes your breath away? Besides hitting the dirt? The greatest things in the world…
..nature, architecture, love.◊
iJumpSports.com 55 |
icole Bloom is a professional trainer in the foothills south of San Francisco. She is a unique individual with just the right mix of the tenacity, humor, sternness, work ethic and personality that it takes to be successful with a barn full of open horses, Juniors, Amateurs and parents. She does the balancing part quite well and yet is the first to admit it takes an entire team to get the job done. Her gracious appreciation of the people along the way who helped form her
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