Riders

Riders chronicles the competitive world of professional show jumping in 1980s England. The story centers on Jake Lovell, a talented horseman from humble beginnings, and his bitter rival Rupert Campbell-Black, a wealthy aristocrat who dominates the equestrian circuit. The narrative follows these characters through international competitions, personal relationships, and their escalating feud. Set against the backdrop of the Cotswolds and high-society England, the plot builds toward a climactic showdown at the Los Angeles Olympics. The novel introduces a large cast of supporting characters including riders, trainers, grooms, and socialites who populate the professional horse world. Their interconnected lives create a complex web of relationships, rivalries, and romances. Riders examines themes of class conflict, ambition, and revenge while offering an insider's view of competitive equestrian sports. The novel launched Cooper's popular Rutshire Chronicles series and established her signature blend of sporting drama and romantic intrigue.

Readers describe Riders as an entertaining escape filled with drama, sex, and show jumping. The 740-page novel maintains an energetic pace despite its length. Readers appreciated: - The detailed equestrian world and authentic horse knowledge - Complex character relationships and rivalries - Rupert Campbell-Black as a compelling antihero - The blend of romance and sports competition - British countryside setting and social satire Common criticisms: - Dated attitudes toward women and consent - Too many characters to keep track of - Gratuitous sex scenes - Some found it overlong and melodramatic Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,200+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "A guilty pleasure that got me through a week in bed with flu. The horse details are spot on, the sex scenes are ridiculous, and RCB is the perfect cad you love to hate."

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★ "Riders" was published in 1985 and became an instant bestseller, remaining on the UK bestseller lists for a remarkable 28 weeks. ★ The character of Rupert Campbell-Black was partially inspired by champion show jumper David Broome and Andrew Parker Bowles, the first husband of Queen Camilla. ★ The novel kickstarted Cooper's famous "Rutshire Chronicles" series, which now comprises 10 books set in the fictional English county of Rutshire. ★ Prior to writing "Riders," Jilly Cooper spent two years researching the show jumping world, attending numerous competitions and interviewing top riders and trainers. ★ The book's original cover, featuring a male rider's hand on a woman's jodhpur-clad bottom, caused significant controversy and became one of the most recognizable book covers of the 1980s.