On March 18, 2025, the Italian Post issued a stamp in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the famous Italian show jumper Raimondo D'Inzeo.

Raimondo D'Inzeo (1925 - 2013) was an outstanding athlete who became a legend of Italian equestrian sport and a multiple Olympic medalist.

Raimondo D'Inzeo became the first athlete to compete in eight consecutive Olympic Games (1948-1976). In total, Raimondo won 6 Olympic medals in show jumping: individual gold at the Olympic Games in Rome (1960), 2 silver (individual and team) at the 1956 Olympics in Stockholm and 3 bronze in team events at the Olympic Games in 1960, 1964 and 1972.

In addition, he became multiple world champion, winning medals at the World Show Jumping Championships between 1956 and 1975. His horses, such as Merano, Posillipo, Gowran Girl and Fiorello II, have become legends of equestrian sport.

In 1949, Raimondo began his service as a carabinieri in the Italian military police, then he served as an officer in the cavalry department of Savoia, rising to the rank of general, retiring in 1981. Throughout these years, Raimondo D'Inzeo's life was inextricably linked with equestrian sport. As a career officer, Raimondo competed in all competitions in military uniform, emphasizing his dedication to the service and traditions.

The design of the commemorative stamp was created by the artist Giustina Milite, known for her work in the field of graphic design and illustration. In the foreground is a color image of General Raimondo D'Inzeo on horseback. In the background, in gray tones, the artist depicted the tense moment of a rider overcoming an obstacle during a show jumping competition. The basis for this drawing was a historical photograph taken by photographer Ed Lacey on July 25, 1969, during the Royal International Horse Show in London. The show traditionally includes the Prince of Wales Cup show jumping competition. In 1969, teams from 5 countries participated in the championship: Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, Germany and Italy. Each team consisted of four riders, and Raimondo D'Inzeo was part of the Italian team. In the photo, he is on the horse Bellevue during the race. Incidentally, it was the Italian team that won the competition.

Raimondo D'Inzeo was and remains a symbol of Italian equestrian sports. His name is immortalized on the Walk of Fame of Italian Sports in Rome, as well as in the Piazza di Siena arena, where the international show jumping tournament is held annually. In 2014, a special award was established in his honor for the best rider of the tournament.

With this postage stamp, the Italian Post immortalized Raimondo D'Inzeo's contribution to the development of equestrian sports and his role as a national hero. The postage stamp became a tribute not only to his sporting achievements, but also to his personal qualities - his loyalty and devotion to his chosen cause and service.

The ceremonial presentation of the postage stamp took place on March 18, 2025, in Palazzo Piacentini in Rome. In addition to officials and postal employees, the ceremony was attended by the President of the Italian Equestrian Federation, the Commander of the Carabinieri, and Raimondo D'Inzeo's children.

Sources: filatelia.poste.it