The family
Raimondo D’Inzeo was a great Italian Champion . He was born on February 8, 1925, in Poggio Mirteto, a small municipality in the province of Rieti in Lazio. The son of Carlo Costanzo D’Inzeo, an officer of cavalry and riding master, he grew up in an environment where the horse represented not only an animal but a true passion and a family tradition. His childhood was marked by a strict education, where discipline and competitiveness were the cornerstones of his development. “Today your brother did something well, tomorrow you must do better,” his father often repeated to his two sons, Piero and Raimondo, instilling in them a strong sense of duty and determination.
Then there was Zenaide, Raimondo’s mother. A reserved woman who often stayed in the background, she constantly worried about her loved ones’ well-being, fearing for their safety as they faced the challenges of equestrianism. Described as a “figurina scura” among the stands, Zenaide experienced mixed emotions, agitation during her children’s competitions as if it were always the first time. While father Carlo Costanzo embodied authority, discipline within the family was represented by Zenaide, who, Raimondo recounts, sometimes chased them with equestrian riding whip to scold them.
The Farnesina
In 1934, at just nine years old, Raimondo witnessed his father establish the Farnesina, which soon became the nerve center of Roman equestrianism. Located in the hills of Farnesina, this facility stands on the ruins of an old furnace and transforms into the only civil equestrian center in Rome. Here, Raimondo gained his first experiences in a fervent atmosphere of competition and equestrian passion, an ideal ground for nurturing his talent. With the end of the fascist regime in 1945, the Farnesina changed its name to Società Ippica Romana, while Carlo Costanzo passed his position as technical director to Giuseppe Chiantia, marking the transition to a new era.
Passions
Initially, Raimondo had a great passion for sailing; he was not convinced about riding horse and was fearful. However, once he got on a horse, it became his sport, and he never wanted to dismount again. From his very first steps in the equestrian world, he stood out for his natural attitude towards competition, displaying a mix of aggression, tenacity, and an uncontainable desire to win. These distinctive traits would lead him to become a leading figure in the international equestrian scene during the 1950s.
Conquests of the Italian Champion
His fame began to grow exponentially, culminating in winning the individual world silver in Aachen in 1955. The following year, Raimondo returned and won the world championship title, thus stepping into the global equestrian limelight. Olympic medals also came his way, with two extraordinary placements at the 1956 Games, further consolidating his status. In 1960, anticipation grew even more, as the Olympics would be held for the first time in history in Italy, specifically in Rome. That day of glory remains in collective memory, when Raimondo D’Inzeo claimed the title of Olympic champion in the Show Jumping Grand Prix, becoming a national symbol and a role model for future generations of Italian riders.
At the time, the weight of expectations was palpable: “If we didn’t return with a medal, we were traitors to our homeland,” Raimondo recounts, emphasizing the importance of sport for the family and for Italy during that period. In this context, every victory represented not only a personal achievement but also an honor for the entire nation.
Raimondo’s horses
Among the horses that characterized his career, Merano (team silver and individual silver in Stockholm 1956, individual silver at the Aachen World Championships 1955, individual gold at the Aachen World Championships 1956) holds a special place. This small Salernitan horse, a bay stallion, standing only 1.64 meters tall, is loved worldwide for its generosity and correctness; it stands out for its agility, precision, and respect for the rider; it made no mistakes. Merano became Raimondo’s inseparable friend, an ally sharing in his triumphs in the equestrian world.
Another significant horse in Raimondo’s life is Posillipo (team bronze, individual gold in Rome 1960, team bronze in Tokyo 1964), a young stallion only five years old who immediately demonstrated extraordinary potential, successfully facing the pre-Olympic trials. With these two extraordinary partners, Raimondo worked tirelessly to perfect his technique and become the champion we all know.
They were two special horses, as evidenced by the fact that the competitions of the time were very complicated, both for the rider and especially for the horse; the obstacles were very empty at the base, and this type of obstacle could only be overcome by galloping very boldly, with a horse very confident in its rider, with good preparation; just having the means was not enough.
Alessandra
Raimondo shared a great passion with his parents and brother Piero, having many moments of joy and some of sorrow. He also shared the same passion for equestrianism with Alessandra, the first daughter, whom he always remembers with affection and nostalgia. Although she was initially a bit afraid of horses, just like her father, she always followed him with affection; she had a sensitive spirit and noticed when things weren’t going well, such as during a negative training session, and stayed close to comfort him. Unfortunately, Alessandra’s life tragically ended due to a skiing accident, which her father was also present for, leaving an unfillable void in the life of Raimondo.
Raimondo’s Legacy
His approach to equestrianism is innovative and based on natural horsemanship, a doctrine devised by Federico Caprilli. This method involves working with the horse according to its innate qualities rather than trying to force it to overcome obstacles through coercive methods. Raimondo encourages respect for the horse, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the rider’s position and trim before considering the horse’s means.
His words
With great wisdom, he advises, and here are his words: “I especially urge the young riders and instructors, beyond what might be the love for horses and the care for horses, which is extremely important in our sport, I urge you to always evaluate your own possibilities before moving on to greater things, meaning starting from a foundation of perfect posture, and I particularly address the instructors, that the young riders have a perfect posture; a strong and correct posture because only with such a well-established posture can we confidently pursue our goals on horseback”.
And continue “When working over obstacles, do not rush to jump high; it is not necessary to jump high; what is very important is to jump well and little. Remember that all the greatest riders reached the big competitions without making big jumps, because that tires and demoralizes the horses. Be humble, have a spirit of sacrifice, love for the horses, because only with these prerequisites can you reach the goals you set for yourself.”
The story of Raimondo D’Inzeo is a testament to the power of discipline, hard work, and love for horses. His successes in show jumping forever changed the face of equestrianism in Italy, inspiring generations of riders to follow in his footsteps. Beyond his incredible victories, what he brings with him is a philosophy of respect and connection with the horse, a concept that continues to thrive in contemporary equestrian sport.
Raimondo Italian pride
Raimondo D’Inzeo will remain eternal in the hearts of those who had the privilege to witness his triumphs and learn from his teachings, a great example of how passion and dedication can lead to extraordinary results. The saga of the D’Inzeo family reminds us that even in the darkest moments, love for sport and the sharing of passions can offer guiding light, transforming life into a stage of extraordinary achievements and unforgettable memories.
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