30 Comments

Three cheers for you and Frank! I'm loving my middle-aged riding. I don't care what anyone else thinks. I'm in it for the fun and relationship with my beloved horse.

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Me too!

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Loved this. Frank sounds gorgeous.

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Oh this made me smile- having just run in a big (as in thousands of people) long distance (for me run), your words so resonated with my experience in so many ways. The self investment, the tingle of nerves, the freedom in being invisible at this point in our life and the divine satisfaction with it all. How lucky are we to have got to here! Thanks as always for taking the time to write and share with us Maggie.

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Exactly!

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By which I mean the freedom of being invisible ✨

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So wonderful and inspiring to hear of you and Frank's adventures. It all feels very relatable and very joyful. Thank you for sharing all you do ☺️

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It's so good to know it's relatable!

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I laughed when I read your last line “Whoops, I’m over the word limit”, I’m always over, but people still seem to be getting my posts. And if you read Maggie Robertson she is always over!!!! 😂 So pleased you had a great ride over the jumps with Frank, a new horse can a,ways be a bit daunting.

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Mine is a self imposed word limit...so not too dire. But I try to keep it neat and tidy under 1000 words. And yes, Frank and I have been on a big journey! Thank you for reading and commenting

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So happy to read you again and congrats on your work with Frank . What a delight to read about it all.

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How exciting Mags!!! And what a good boy Frank. Can’t wait to see and read more about your outings!! X

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We have aspirations! xxx

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Why, oh why do you bring a tear to my eye with everything you write ?.... maybe it's because I can just relate to so much of it... I did brace myself before reading of when your old lab passed ... and I was alright with that ... use to bracing when your on a farm....it's just the little things and moments and feelings that get me... you are a very special person.

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Goodness, thank you. It is something to write and know that other people relate mmx

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Congrats ... such a joy

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Oh Rose, he is turning into a very nice little horse.

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That is so very exciting..

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It's been a tough week but this little excerpt left me smiling!

I'm so happy for you Maggie - well done! X

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Thank you dear Lydia, I often think I have to put my blinkers on with what is happening in the world, and just report in. I have a feeling you would love Frank. I will continue to aspire to the do jump offs like you used to with your little chestnut firecracker. xx

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Looking forward to that long essay on confidence and middle age. I have just completed long service leave with one of my main projects was getting back to riding at 57. I had massive doubts and fear on the way to the first day of lessons, but my face was hurting from grinning so much by the end of that first hour. Now it is a piece of weekly joy that I have built into my week permanently after my return to work.

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This makes me so happy. Bloody well done. Carving out that piece of joy and oh I really understand the face hurting from smiling so much.

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Love Erdrich. When I was ill, I ordered a BOX full of her books from her bookstore. And then I read my way to gentle healing. Love reading about spring as I watch my autumn, and miss my homeland, sigh.

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I think she is a story teller of epic proportions. I love that you ordered a box and worked your way through. It is so springy here, AT LAST.

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I'm new to Substack. My daughter Julia Matusik ("Julia's Pantry" introduced me to it) I really like your writing and tales of Frank and other things. Lovely writing. Thank you.

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Thank you for this story, so relateable - good for you and I love it! I too put my own riding aside for 20 years. I have been the stable hand, chief holder, driver and groom until my daughter also left to pursue Vet Science. I now have Bundy also an unlikely match, I adore him, and wonder why I left all the fun to my children for so long :-)

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Oh Frank. What a doll. (The flashy chestnut made me smile and remember the worst horse I have ever known — he had a canter like a rocking horse and used to pick a fight from a mile out and then barrel towards his target like a crazed dictator holding the keys to the nukes. I watched him barrel over my three year old sister once who LOVES horses, still. She works with them and knows them... whereas I prefer to look at them from afar admiring their beauty like I'm the crazed dictator collecting beautiful things for no reason other than they must be collected).

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Welcome back. Lovely to read about your eventing day out with Frank. Well done to you both.

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