Long Shot: My Bipolar Life and the Horses Who Saved Me

Long Shot: My Bipolar Life and the Horses Who Saved Me
Sylvia Harris

An inspiring and searingly honest memoir of how one woman had the strength and courage to change her life. Sylvia Harris was homeless, her children had been taken from her, and she was using crack cocaine. She is also a manic depressive. Now she’s a prize-winning jockey with the world at her feet.Sylvia’s life was dominated by the fear of a faceless madness that could take hold without warning, causing terrifying hallucinations, delusions and bizarre behaviour. These could at any moment fluctuate back to ruthless clarity or all-consuming depression.She had been labelled a ‘neglectful mother’, was beaten by her boyfriend, snubbed by family and neighbours and in trouble with the law. There seemed no way out.Until she discovered that her childhood love of horses could offer a means of escape, a sanctuary from her isolation.Sylvia felt the exhilaration and danger of riding, the joy of connection to these strong and graceful creatures, the redemptive focus and intuition of the race, the pure ecstasy of finishing, of winning, of beating her demons and all the people who never believed she would succeed, and never looked back.As unforgettable as Seabiscuit and as touching as Horse Boy, Long Shot is for anyone who has been at life’s lowest ebb – and survived.

Long Shot

My Bipolar Life and the Horses Who Saved Me

Sylvia Harris

with Eunetta T. Boone and Bill Boulware

Dedication

This book is dedicated in fond farewell, and loving memory,

to my mother, Evaliene Fontenette Harris,

U.S. Army veteran.

(16.12.1943–08.10.2010)

ONE DAY

All the flowers that I’ve picked …

all the shells from the sea …

can never ever equal the love you gave to me.

Now as I stand upon this empty shore …

I’m wishing for your arms …

they can’t hold me anymore.

All the scrapes and bruises …

the long teary nights …

you comforted and guided me …

taught me … made me …

stand up and fight …

Now you can rest your tired and weary soul.

Your spirit soars with the sky …

you have stars to hold …

When the wind whispers, and the moon guides my way …

I’ll fall to my knees asking your Angel wings …

to lift me up … be with you … and pray …

Together again … ONE DAY.

Contents

Cover (#ulink_46b8cffe-cffe-516d-af00-3faabc7119fc)

Title Page

Dedication

Preface

The Race Hawthorne Race Course

The Start Santa Rosa, California

Furlong One Santa Rosa, California

Furlong Two Los Angeles, California

Furlong Three Virginia

Furlong Four Orlando, Florida

Furlong Five Ocala, Florida

Furlong Six The OBS

Furlong Seven Quail Roost II

Furlong Eight Mr. H

Furlong Nine Breezing

Furlong Ten Arlington Park and Hawthorne Race Course

The Finish

Epilogue

Acknowledgments