Little Sofia Melluzzi began horse-riding when she was three and started competing aged just FOUR.<br /><br />Sofia, now six, has grown up around horses and ponies since she was born and comes from a long line of equestrians as her mother Cristina, and her grandmother, are both riders.<br /><br />She fell in love with ponies before she could even walk and got her four-legged best friend Cindy, as a pony, for her third birthday.<br /><br />By the time Sofia was four, she was taking part in horse-riding competitions with 14-year-old British riding pony Cindy.<br /><br />Cristina Melluzzi, Sofia’s mother, from North Carolina, USA, said: “Sofia has a deep respect and love for horses.<br /><br />“She started riding when she was a baby and got Cindy, her first pony for her third birthday. By the time she was four, she was already competing.”<br /><br />Over the years, Cindy and Sofia have developed a strong bond and now know each other inside-out.<br /><br />Cristina added: "Sofia is an advocate for all animals and talks about owing her own horse rescue one day. She loves and cares for all animals.<br /><br />“Her relationship with Cindy is very special and unique. She knows Cindy inside out and Cindy knows her. "
