Meet Victorville’s Clarice Sykes —veteran, horse rider, double amputee
Many believe military veteran and horse enthusiast Clarice Sykes embodies determination and perseverance.
The 28-year-old woman lost both legs in a near-fatal horse-riding accident nearly six years ago. The Los Angeles native recently opened "Rockin' Sykes Ranch" in Victorville, where she caters to people of all ages, especially children and veterans with disabilities.
“They’ll be able to ride, groom and care for the horses,” Sykes said. “There’s something special, a healing of sorts, when people and horses come together.”
Riding since she was 5 years old, and now with no legs, Sykes commands her horse “Blaze” with hand controls, the sound of her voice, neck reining and “no spurs or legs,” she said.
“When you have a passion for something, nothing can stop you, not even losing your legs,” Sykes told the Daily Press. “My passion has always been riding horses.”
A life-changing accident
Born in Los Angeles and adopted by Ben and Laura Sykes at age 2, Clarice was raised in Riverside and began riding horses in neighboring Norco when she was 5.
After graduating from Ramona High School in 2013, Sykes enlisted in the Army Reserves for a nearly 10-year stint, serving in Postal Operations in the Human Resources Operations Branch.
“I spent the last five years in the Army Reserves with no legs," Sykes said. “I went in as one person and finished my time last August as a totally different person.”
While stationed at March Air Force Base, Sykes was off duty when she decided to take her beloved horse “Comanche” out for a ride in Norco.
On July 1, 2018, Sykes and her horse traveled near railroad tracks on a bridge when an approaching train frightened the animal.
“I guess the train spooked my horse and I was thrown into the side of this fast-moving train,” Sykes said. “I suffered a brain injury at that time so I don’t remember much of anything. It was a totally freak accident.”
Sykes said she did recall asking her mother why one leg was shorter than the other.
Medical officials at Riverside Community Hospital told Sykes' family that the accident severed Sykes’ left leg above the knee. Her right leg was later amputated because of an infection.
She also suffered injuries to her brain and left eye, and her horse was killed, Sykes said.
A year after the accident, Sykes had a “tearful reunion” with the first responders who saved her life,” she said.
The reunion at Riverside Community Hospital included smiles, hugs and tears as Sykes thanked hospital staff, nurses, doctors and personnel from CalFire-Riverside County and American Medical Response.
“I would not be here if it wasn’t for the medical staff and first responders who worked together to save my life,” Sykes said.
‘A new normal’
Sykes moved back home, and with her father's encouragement, she pushed herself back to “a new normal” by working out at the gym, swimming, and spending time with her horses.
“When you’re in the military, you develop discipline and a can-do attitude,” Sykes said. “I had no legs, but that wasn’t going to stop me from living.”
Sykes said her parents encouraged her as she began wearing prosthetic legs, wearing “short stubby legs first” and then transitioning to full length.
She also admitted that during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, she suffered a temporary bout of depression, “got lazy” and lost her motivation to walk.
In April, Sykes moved to Victorville with the intention of opening her ranch.
With her service dog “Yoshi,” an Australian shepherd at her side, Sykes works from home and commutes to her job twice a week at Monster Energy in Corona.
“I moved to the High Desert because of my vision to have a ranch and that included wide open spaces and land,” Sykes said. “I’m here and I’m excited for the future.”
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Meet Victorville’s Clarice Sykes —veteran, horse rider, double amputee
