There are stories that arise from a dream nurtured in silence and that, despite obstacles, find a path to fulfillment. This is the case of Sophie Tola, 19 , originally from Cagliari and raised in Capoterra, one of the promising young Italian equestrians in the show jumping discipline.
Her passion, she says, began early, "at the end of elementary school," even though her mother preferred to direct her toward swimming. But the call of horses was too strong to ignore. It was the mother of a classmate, Silvia, who changed her life: "I owe her so much. She was the one who took me to my first test. I was so happy."
From Scuderie De Bois to national competitions – Sophie took her first steps at Scuderie De Bois in Capoterra, trained by pony instructor Annamaria, before entering the competitive world under the guidance of Raffaele Mulas, owner of the center. From there, Sophie's life changed: more hours at the stables, less free time, fewer vacations, fewer hobbies. "But I was happy. Show jumping was everything to me," she says.
The turning point at 15: love for Daiquiri Frozen – At 15, the decisive moment arrived: a trip to Northern Italy to choose a more experienced horse. The goal was to find a 9-10-year-old, already trained horse. Instead, a dramatic turn of events occurred: Sophie fell in love with a 5-year-old filly, Daiquiri Frozen, from the Loggia stud farm. A mare by a champion mare, the daughter of her future master, Roberto Arioldi, a two-time Olympian and winner of everything there is to win in Italy.
Arioldi saw the young rider's talent and offered her first the opportunity to work together again, then, in the summer of 2023, the chance to move permanently to his farmhouse to train full-time every day.
Life on the farm: wake up at 5:30 and hard work – Since then, Sophie's days begin at 5:30 in the morning. She works with her two horses and also rides those from the stable, including the foals. "My training grows every day. It's a constant push, an ever-new thrill."
A commitment that bears fruit: in the computer list of October 15, Sophie is 15th in the Young Rider 1st degree category, a national ranking updated monthly.
