Equestrian blogger Susan Friedland’s new memoir “Marguerite, Misty and Me: a Horse Lover’s Hunt for the Hidden History of Marguerite Henry and her Chincoteague Pony” will launch at Breyerfest 2023 in Lexington, Kentucky at the Kentucky Horse Park July 14 to 16, 2023. The new release from Saddle Seeks Horse Press reveals the backstory of Marguerite Henry, the Newbery Award-winning author who made Chincoteague Ponies famous, and explores the impact Marguerite Henry had on Friedland, and generations of horse book fans.
From a kayak in the waves off Chincoteague Island and an underground archive in Minnesota full of Marguerite’s personal letters, original works and even unpublished manuscripts, to a dreamlike ride aboard a Chincoteague Pony, Friedland unearths clues about the beloved author while forging deep connections with fellow fans and actual friends of Marguerite.
Bonnie Shields, the illustrator of Marguerite’s last book, “Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley,” published in 1996, contributed two original illustrations for this “Julie and Julia”-style horse girl memoir.
Review copies of “Marguerite, Misty and Me” are available upon request.
Meet the Author Events
Susan Friedland will be connecting with Marguerite Henry and Misty fans and signing books at the Taborton Books booth at Breyerfest, Friday July 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., and Sunday July 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Following Breyerfest, Friedland will take “Marguerite, Misty and Me” on the road to Virginia where she will be speaking at Pony Penning Week events. Tuesday, July 25, she will appear at the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team Open House from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at KerKaKen Acres in Bloxom, Virginia. At 1 p.m. she will present at the Chincoteague Island Library, followed by a book signing at Sundial Books on Main Street. Wednesday, July 26, the day of the wild pony swim from Assateague to Chincoteague, Friedland will speak at the Museum of Chincoteague at 6 p.m.
Praise for “Marguerite, Misty and Me”:
Susan Friedland’s book Marguerite, Misty and Me is a wonderful ride, whether you grew up reading Marguerite Henry’s “Misty of Chincoteague” or discovered Marguerite and Misty later in life. Travel with Susan as she follows in the footsteps, and hoofprints, of Marguerite and her real-life pony Misty. Susan’s connection to Marguerite is fascinating and had me smiling as I turned the pages. From the shores of Chincoteague and Pony Penning Day to spending time with Marguerite’s friends, Susan takes you on a ride you don’t want to miss. “Marguerite, Misty and Me” brought back happy childhood memories and made me fall in love with Marguerite Henry and her beloved pony all over again.
— Jan Westmark Bauer, Editor-In-Chief, Sidelines Equestrian Magazine
Susan Friedland is the voice of any horse-loving person who has adored Marguerite Henry’s books. When you read it, you feel like you are there doing the research with Susan. This will take you back to your favorite books of “Misty,” “Brighty,” and “King of the Wind.”
— Matt DesJardins, founder of MistysHeaven.com
Where to Purchase “Marguerite, Misty and Me”
Signed copies of “Marguerite, Misty and Me” are available for purchase at saddleseekshorse.shop along with Friedland’s previous titles: “Horses Adored and Men Endured: a Memoir of Falling and Getting Back Up,” “Strands of Hope: How to Grieve the Loss of a Horse,” and “Unbridled Creativity: 101 Writing Exercises for the Horse Lover.” In addition to Taborton Books, “Marguerite, Misty and Me” is distributed in local tack shops across the U.S. and available on Amazon.com.
About the Author:
Susan Friedland is just as crazy about horses today as she was running around her yard on a hobby horse as a child. Her work has been featured in magazines including Horse Illustrated, Young Rider, and Sidelines. She writes regularly on her award-winning blog, saddleseekshorse.com founded in 2013, co-hosts the Horse Illustrated Barn Banter Podcast, and has been a featured speaker at Equitana and American Horse Publications conferences. When she’s not traveling on equestrian adventures, she is trotting around on her OTTB, Tiz A Knight, in her home state of Illinois, or snowbirding in Ocala, Florida. Connect with Susan on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SaddleSeeksHorse/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/saddleseekshorse/
Media Contact: Susan Friedland
susan@saddleseekshorse.com
Blog: saddleseekshorse.com
ookstore: saddleseekshorse.shop
Cell: 626-203-6518