Covering the Olympics, WEG, and Christopher Reeve: Diana De Rosa

For over 35 years, veteran equestrian journalist, photographer and public relations maven Diana De Rosa has covered equestrian sport around the world, including the past eight Olympic Games, all eight World Equestrian Games, several Pan Am Games and FEI World Cups. Diana enjoys creating richly told stories through photography and writing and has over 1,000 published credits to her name. Diana is the owner of Press Link, a public relations firm based in Farmingdale, New York. Her past and present clients include the Hampton Classic, National and Washington International Horse Shows, USA Equestrian Trust, Healthy Horse Boutique, Running Wild, Dream Works, the American Hunter Jumper Foundation and Twentieth Century Fox. Diana worked with the late actor Christopher Reeve for eight years before his death in 2004. A past president of American Horse Publications, Diana is also a longtime member of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists. She currently is on the executive board of the Press Club of Long Island. Diana’s work has taken her to 30 countries and has even led to a stint in front of the camera when she co-hosted the annual Hampton Classic Horse Show for local TV station WVVH. She was presented with the 2005 US Equestrian Federation Media Award for Photography in recognition of a photo of show jumper Peter Wylde and Fein Cera competing at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Diana dedicated her win to Reeve. Diana is the co-organizer of the EQUUS Film Festival, held annually in New York City with tour stops around the United States. Notable recent tour appearances by the Festival included the 2017 World Cup in Omaha, Nebraska, and the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina. Diana is a former riding school manager and a graduate of SUNY Albany, where she studied languages.   Topics of Discussion: [:18] About today’s episode. [1:01] How the insights Diana gained from training horses and competing both nationally and internationally have impacted her coverage of some of the horse world’s most prestigious events. [6:05] Diana shares the critical aspects of capturing an amazing photo. [11:10] What originally led Diana to connect the dots and combine her interests in writing and photography with horses and riding? [13:47] As an equestrian and someone who has loved horses all of her life, what has it been like for Diana to cover the highest levels of equestrian sports and interact with the world’s finest equestrians? [15:53] Has Diana had any star-struck moments? [18:27] When did Diana begin engaging in the PR side? And what has it been like to represent such renowned and respected clients? [23:28] What was it like to work with Christopher Reeves? And how did she originally come to work with him? [33:16] How knowing Christopher Reeves has guided Diana’s life and the decisions she has subsequently made. [36:46] Diana offers advice for those who have dreams or things they are passionate and are trying to make a decision about whether or not to follow them. [40:08] Is there anything Diana has yet to try professionally but would like to give a go? [40:55] About next week’s episode of Because of Horses. [41:45] Where to find Diana online.   Know Someone Inspirational, Whose Life Has Been Forever Changed Because of Horses? Because of Horses would love to get to share their story! To recommend someone please send an email to [email protected].   Mentioned in this Episode: The Hampton Classic American Horse Publications World Equestrian Games Pan American Games EquestFile (Use coupon code: BOH10 to receive a 10% discount for two months off your subscription) National Horse Show Washington International Horse Show Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (Film, 2002) Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (Film, 2005) Flicka (Film, 2006) The United States Hunter Jumper Association EQUUS Film Festival Christopher & Dana Reeves Foundation GGTFooting.com/BOHP Next week’s episode of Because of Horses DianaDeRosa.com DianaDeRosa.net Diana’s Email: [email protected]   Like what you hear? Because of Horses would love to hear your feedback! Please email [email protected] to send Because of Horses your thoughts.   To Support the Podcast:  ● Donate on Paypal to help keep Because of Horses running — all amounts are welcome! ● Subscribe: RSS Feed, iTunes, Google Play, TuneIn, Stitcher, and Player FM