Amber Heintzberger made her first trip to New York with Dr. Vic Bilanchone and the Wofford women’s ensemble. They sang at Carnegie Hall.
Her husband, Juergen Grosserhode, proposed to her on the top of the Empire State Building, and they lived in the city until a few years ago.
Now she commutes to the city to visit friends, eat and wander the eclectic neighborhoods and, of course, to work the Central Park Horse Show.
“I like the energy and all the people,” says Heintzberger, who is an equestrian journalist and photographer as well as a media and public relations consultant for world-class eventing and dressage clients. She’s also the co-author of two books: “Beyond the Track” (with Anna Ford) and “Modern Eventing” (with Phillip Dutton).
Her byline and photo credits appear in Chronicle of the Horse, Dressage Today, Practical Horseman, Warmbloods Today and other national and international equine magazines. She’s written about the controversy surrounding legislating carriage horses, the best way to avoid being kicked by your horse and major competitions, including the Pan American and World Equestrian Games.
Heintzberger completely understands the inspiration that New York offers for writers, artists, musicians and other creative people. She still enjoys coming and soaking it in, but she also appreciates the space and ease of living in the historic suburb of South Orange, N.J., just a short train ride from Manhattan.
“I read this book not too long ago called ‘Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York,’” says Heintzberger, who explains that New York was hard to leave, but staying meant challenges as well, particularly with school-age children. “It’s a very special place.”
By Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89