HSI Active Accredited Coaches Blog Series – Gerald Bloomer

Read the second blog in the HSI Active Accredited Coaches Blog series. HSI Level 3 Eventing and Dressage coach chats about his plans for the future and some of his greatest achievements to date.

Coach Profile

Name – Gerald Bloomer

County – Bishopsland Stud, Phepotstown, Kilcock, Co. Meath

Coach level – Level 3 Dressage and Eventing

Gerald Bloomer is a HSI Level 3 coach in Eventing and Dressage and a Coach Developer for the HSI Coaching Programme. He is also the dressage coach for the Irish Junior Eventing Team and in 2022 began to work with the horse and rider combinations selected for the World Young Horse Eventing Championships at Lion D’Angers.

In Eventing, Gerald has competed up to 4* level and in Dressage up to Intermediare 1, representing Ireland at Junior and Young Rider European level as well as winning the individual Gold medal in Dressage at the World University Equestrian Championships in Tokyo.

Gerald was lucky to have the opportunity to compete around Europe whilst based with Ingrid Klimke and subsequently Carl Hester. Together with his partner JP King, Gerald has  recently established a base at Bishopsland Stud near Kilcock, where work is underway developing the equestrian facilities and he look forward to hosting both Irish and International students there in the future.

Where did your interest in equestrian coaching and the HSI Coaching Programme come from?

Growing up in Brennanstown Riding School I was coaching from an early age and it was a great opportunity to work with riders of different levels. Later, while competing in both dressage and eventing as a Junior and Young Rider I was lucky to receive some top class coaching and this definitely inspired me. The HSI Coaching Programme was the ideal pathway for me to pursue my interest in High Performance Coaching and the rest is history.

Who has been an inspiration to you and why?

There are many, but Ingrid Klimke for her methodical and classical training system and her ability to reach the very top of the sport in both eventing and dressage. Carl Hester whose sole influence on the sport of Dressage in Britain and further afield has been monumental. I was very lucky to train with Ingrid and Carl at different times and both helped to shape my early career.

What do you love most about being a professional coach?

I love working with people. Educating riders and developing the skills that allow them to achieve their goals from grass roots to high performance is an extremely satisfying process. Working with pupils who have achieved success at international shows and at Championships is the icing on the cake and I’m very proud and fortunate to be a part of that journey.

What are the biggest challenges in your role as a coach?

Balancing my roles as a rider and a coach can at times present its challenges but one also compliments the other. As a rider I keep learning. I’m lucky to be able to work with some world class riders and coaches – last season I spent time training with both Helen Langehanenberg and Judy Reynolds in Germany and everything I learn as a rider is fed back into my own coaching and to my pupils in turn.

What has your career with this sport taught you about life?

You’ll never be rich whilst owning horses!

If you could ride any horse in the world, who would it be and why?

Van Olst Horses’ Glamourdale ridden by Charlotte Fry. This stallion is quite simply spectacular – the power and elevation in his paces must feel very special under saddle.

Do you believe attitude or motivation are the key factors for longevity in the sport and why?

I believe that a positive attitude, motivation and self-belief are key factors for longevity in the sport. Nobody working with horses escapes the challenging periods which come along but the good days and the highs of the sport are more than worth it. I feel very lucky to work in this industry and with the great people within it.

What has been the highlight of your coaching career to date?

Working with the Irish Junior Eventing Team as dressage coach has been great. Our Junior Eventing teams have held a medal position after the dressage phase at the last 3 consecutive European Championships and to see our Juniors take team Silver at the Hartpury European Championships in 2022 was fantastic.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who would like to begin their career as a professional equestrian coach?

Good coaching is a two-way system. Listen to the riders you work with, watch and learn from coaches you admire and continue with your own education to be the best that you can be.

Just for fun – tell us an unusual fact about yourself.

I practiced as a Barrister for 10 years before making the move back to horses and coaching. It is the best decision I have ever made – life is short and I love what I do.

HSI Level 3 Coach Gerald Bloomer is listed on our Active Accredited Coaches (AAC) list. Coaches on the HSI AAC List are those who regularly engage with the HSI Coaching Continuous Professional Development programme and have met the minimum requirement of 5 annual CPD points. They also have valid and in date Garda Vetting and / or Access NI completed through HSI as well as valid First Aid and Child Safeguarding 1 certification.

To find a HSI Active Accredited Coach near you, please see our Active Accredited Coaches list.