Sofia's equestrian journey began in her childhood, deeply rooted in her Portuguese heritage. Raised in a family of accomplished riders, including her father, a Gold Medal Rider and FEI competitor, she was immersed in the equestrian world from an early age. Her early experiences encompassed a variety of disciplines, including Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing, and Pony Club Events. As a 13 year old, she discovered her passion for Working Equitation after winning a Junior Trail Class.

By 15, she demonstrated her dedication and skill by successfully training a young Mustang during an Extreme Mustang Makeover challenge. With successful results and positive feed back, Sofia started taking in clients and working on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. At age 18 she went off to university at CSU Channel Islands where she continued her riding as a Dressage working student in Moorpark and Simi Valley while keeping her small business back at home. In 2019 she joined Tane McClure and Pria Perea as an assistant trainer working in each one of their programs.

After graduating with a B.S. in Communication in Spring 2020, Sofia's commitment to enhancing her equestrian skills led her to Europe, where she gained valuable experience in the international Dressage scene while working for Nico Nyssen in Belgium. Later on in Portugal, she deepened her involvement in Working Equitation, collaborating with various farms and acquiring sales horses.

Since Spring 2022, Sofia has been based on the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula with her husband, Fred. That same year, she earned a 6th-place national ranking in Level 5 Working Equitation aboard Lusitano Dilatado—achieving this remarkable result in just four months.

In June 2024, Sofia welcomed her personal horse, Capriccio, an Oldenburg gelding with a background in show jumping, into LusoWest. Through dedicated training, she successfully transitioned him into the world of Working Equitation. Their debut season was a resounding success, earning Sofia another 6th-place national ranking and securing the top spot in her region—all accomplished with just three scores!

This year, Sofia is excited to step into the dressage arena and continue refining her craft. She is also actively pursuing qualification for the World Association of Working Equitation (WAWE) World Championships in 2026, with the goal of proudly representing the United States on the global stage.