Horsewoman free here in middle (5)

I believe the answer is:

rider

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'horsewoman' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'free here in middle' is the wordplay.
'free' becomes 'ride' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'here' becomes 'earth' (I've seen this in another clue).
'in middle' says to take the centre.
The centre of 'earth' is 'r'.
'ride'+'r'='RIDER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rider that I've seen before include "in the dressing room before the show?" , "Addition to verdict" , "Stipulation" , "Horse(wo)man" , "Jockey" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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