plot

Taken from Hallmark's press release:

ABANDONED YOUNG MOTHER AND GIFTED RIDER FINDS THE COURAGE OF A CHAMPION IN 'THE LONG SHOT,' A HALLMARK CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE

Deserted and destitute, a young mother must harness her inner strength and build a brand new life for herself and her child in "The Long Shot," a Hallmark Channel Original movie slated to premiere in April 2004.

Annie Garrett (Julie Benz, "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer"), her 7-year-old daughter Taylor (Gage Golightly, "A Carol Christmas") and their horse Tolo find themselves stranded and penniless in a strange town after Annie’s hot-headed husband Ross (John Livingston, "Ed TV") takes off without a trace. A gifted equestrian and horse whisperer, Annie earns pocket money at the local equestrian center where she meets Mary Lou O’Brian (four-time Academy Award® nominee and two-time Golden Globe winner Marsha Mason, "The Goodbye Girl"), a legendary dressage champion.

Annie’s luck seems to change at Shamrock Farms where, under the guidance of Mary Lou and barn manager Guido Levits (two-time Golden Globe winner Paul Le Mat, "Melvin and Howard"), she begins to rebuild her life and re-enter the world of competition. A tragic accident leaves her beloved Tolo blind, but Annie, who has finally found the courage to overcome the past and stand on her own, proves that the bond of love is stronger than any adversity.

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And this is based on the true story of rider Amy Gaston and her horse, Marjax Tolo.