Middleburg's own Ellia Giuliani is just turning 13 years old and is already demonstrating her exceptional equestrian skills.

The year started off great for Ellia with her wins of Champion and Reserve Champion at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. This summer, she won Grand Champion Local Hunter at the Upperville Horse Show and the Patty Motion Trophy for Best Local Child Rider, Grand Champion Medium Green at the Loudoun Benefit Horse Show, and numerous ribbons and trophies at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show.

Ellia took up riding at the age of five and has loved every minute of it. She started riding with a pony named Jack Black and has had "Exquisite" a medium pony that's a 6-year old welsh cross for the past year. Her family recently purchased "Lunar Eclipse" a Canadian Sport horse who is a 13-year old large pony. Ellia trains with Bill Schaub at Over the Hill farm.

Riding has become a family hobby and a way to spend weekends together. The whole family attends the shows and provides lots of moral support for Ellia.