In Rieti (Italy), Raimondo D’Inzeo, champion of equestrian sports, was born. Raimondo dedicated himself to horse riding from a very young age, under the tutelage of his father Costante, marshal of the Italian cavalry and founder of the “Società Ippica Romana” in 1934. His origin is from Montecilfone, in the province of Campobasso, Molise. The D’Inzeo family is well-known in the Arbëresh community of the area. Pasquale D’Inzeo, the champion’s grandfather, was mayor from 1896 to 1902 during the Italian monarchy. Following in his father’s footsteps, Raimondo became a cavalryman in the ranks of the Carabinieri. Participant in eight consecutive Olympic Games, from 1948 in London to 1976 in Montreal. Won medals; one gold, two silver and three bronze, being declared world champion twice in a row. Raimondo was chosen “the best rider in history” by a group of journalists and experts in world equestrianism. Starting from 2014, the race in “Piazza di Siena” has been named “Master Fratelli D’Inzeo” in honor of the two Arbëresh brothers – legends of world equestrianism. Today they are no longer alive, but they are a great example for their country of origin and Italy itself. They dominated the first half of the 20th century in the international arena of this sport, and were victorious in almost all the championships of the time, and are rightly considered among the most important riders of the 20th century. (In the photo: Raimondo D’Inzeo at the Olympic Games, Rome, 1960.)
Text: Center of Studies and Publications for Arbëresh
Photo: © https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2013/11/16/legendary-showjumper-raimondo-dinzeo-dies-88/
Graphic processing: AHCF
