August 27, 2006

De Rosa Daily
FEI World Equestrian Games 2006 - Aachen Germany
Exclusive coverage for HorsesDaily text and photos by Diana DeRosa

Behind the Scenes at the World Equestrian Games

While the concept behind the World Equestrian Games is constant in that it unites many disciplines at one location for their World Championships every four years, the behind the scenes varies slightly. There are a bunch of us doing the coverage here in the Media Center for Horsesdaily. Besides myself Charlene Strickland is also writing, and Cealy is in charge of the photo library.

I’m staying at a hotel called Van der Walk. Charlene is at Kasteel TerWorm next door to my hotel. This is a wonderful castle that Mary Phelps recommended.

Our day begins with catching a bus from our venues to the Media Center which is ideally located near the entrance of the World Equestrian Games venue and literally right behind the main arena. The Media Center has two working press rooms (one for writers and the other for photographers) with tables and internet hookups. In between is a small “relax” area adjacent to the information counter. There is a place for all the releases and results that are provided to the media. Here we are given such things as information about vet checks, orders of go, results and any other helpful details about this event.

Photographers have to wear pinnies in order to be allowed to “shoot” in the photographer areas and around our necks everyone wears a credential, which is our passport to getting anywhere on the grounds.

Also in the Media Center is where the Press Conferences take place. As far as working conditions within the Press Center – it’s all quite good. Where the problem arises is in getting information and in adequate conditions for getting our job done. In the beginning it was quite confusing and difficult to get answers or to be made aware of what is happening. But each day it gets better and better.

While there are some things that could be improved there is a lot that is great.

The press working area has been fabulous and the internet access has been no problem. I can remember at past World Equestrian Games having major problems with internet access. For this we are truly thankful. We are also each provided with a daily food pass and while the food venue, which is called Karli’s, is a long ways off it’s a nice hot meal with a selection of snacks.