looking back / E in Blick zurück / U ne rétrospective Rolex grand slam magazine GENEVA looking back 48 The d’Inzeo brothers – forever connected to Geneva T hey passed away only recently, almost at the same time, and both of them truly had a significant impact on the history of show jumping. They played a prominent role in the Olympic Games with each of them winning six medals in the course of their careers and standing side by side on the podium each time. Also at World Championships and the horse shows in Aachen and Geneva they impressed the spectators. In Geneva, both brothers celebrated multiple important victories. Piero, the older brother, would win the Grand Prix of Aachen four times and was also victorious in Geneva’s former Palais des Expositions in the city centre, where he won the “Prize of Champions” in 1951 and the Nations Cups in 1947, 1955 and 1959. Raimondo, who had also been a member of these three victorious Nations Cup teams, furthermore won the “Grand Prix de Suisse” in 1961, 1969 and 1971 as well as the Trophée de la Ville de Genève in 1959 and 1963. These victories make him the third best rider in the long history of the Geneva horse show (since 1926). Sharing the rank with Ludger Beerbaum, he is in good company, only Rodrigo Pessoa and Steve Guerdat have been more successful. Let me share with you an anecdote about the brothers’ first Nations Cup performance in Geneva in 1947. It was a premiere… and yes, they won, but it was a close call! In the competition’s second round, Piero’s horse, “Furore”, refused to co-operate and reared in defiance. Raimondo tried to run into the arena to help his brother. But fortunately, at the last moment, his chef d’equipe Sandro Perrone managed to restrain him. Otherwise Raimondo’s spontaneous action would have led to the team’s disqualification. Despite this episode, the team were finally victorious and the brothers led their teammates on the lap of honour, riding side by side. Just like they did at the Olympic Games in Stockholm 1956, where both placed directly behind the great Hans Günter Winkler. Or just as in 1960 when they crowned themselves with gold and silver at the Olympic Games in their beloved city of Rome at the Piazza di Siena – their ultimate dream. Much later, at the age of 74, Piero d’Inzeo made his last appearance in Geneva’s arena, 51 years after he had participated in the event for the first time. And even though he had meanwhile been appointed to the grade of General by the Italian army, he chose to wear his colonel’s uniform for the special occasion. After a long break, the magician on horseback was glad to put his riding boots back on and executed the show jumping (with a borrowed horse, but in perfect style), proved his dressage skills and also demonstrated his driving excellence. After that, both brothers visited Geneva’s horse show several times. Piero also attended Aachen in 2011 and, until recently, both brothers regularly visited the CSIO Rome together. They passed away almost together. Raimondo died last November at the age of 89 and, this February, 91 year-old Piero followed him. Their history will unite them forever. Their class, their elegance and their successes were outstanding. Geneva is proud to play a small part in this wonderful story. (Alban Poudret)
Rolex Grand Slam magazine - Number 2
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