To Borrow Freedom

A heart-pounding memoir of adventure, transformation, and the unparalleled connection between humans and horses. To Borrow Freedom takes you on a gripping journey through the rugged landscapes of Portugal's Lower Alentejo, where Sheila Greenfield and her husband Robert Lee transformed a derelict farm into one of Europe's premier equestrian destinations. From humble beginnings with just a tent, five horses, and boundless passion, they created a high-end horseback riding business that invited guests from around the world to experience the breathtaking beauty of southern Portugal's coast. This memoir is not just a story of building a business but of building a life that aligns with passion and purpose. Through a compelling and heartfelt narrative, Sheila shares the highs and lows of their entrepreneurial journey, the deep bond formed with their Lusitano horses, and the joy of introducing guests to the soul-stirring beauty of the Alentejo region. Sheila also offers an inside look at the people and animals who shaped her adventure, including a memorable experience teaching actor Antonio Banderas how to ride for The House of the Spirits film. The memoir is a beautiful meditation on love, resilience, and personal growth, celebrating the courage it takes to pursue your dreams against all odds. To Borrow Freedom invites readers to experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from embracing life's most daring adventures. And it was this that became the heart of their company's successful business model. But all was not smooth sailing, as any interweaving of lives, human and animal, brings to the fore questions, insecurities, complexities, and injuries. After all, no life is simple. With a tenderness of word choice that embodies the author's own emotional investment in her singular story, Greenfield shares the heartbreak of a young staff member faced with the hardest of life choices, and admits her own uneasiness and uncertainty when confronted with her evolving relationship with Robert and the demanding life they have chosen together. The result is a beautiful book, daring in its richness of detail and generous in its authenticity, certain to be enjoyed by all those who love adventure, or travel, or horses, or profoundly unique stories of coming together and coming undone.