Riders - Jilly Cooper

I have Riders many many times and each time I love it all over again! The book has three main characters, Rupert Campbell-Black, Billy Lloyd-Foxe and Jake Lovell. It follows them through the world of showjumping and a story of revenge and desire. Rupert and Billy were best mates at school and Jake was the son of the cook so they werent very nice to him, and he wants revenge on Rupert for this. Jake is a very good showjumper but has no money. Rupert and Billy however come from "old money" and live a playboy lifestyle while Jake is working hard. Rupert marries a stuckup American, Billy marries a bitchy journalist, and Jake married ...

I wanted to call this ... 'Rupert can ride me anyday' ... but I'm meant to be a lady!! 'Riders' is my absolute definitive favourite book in this whole wide world!! (well up until now anyway ....) Since I discovered it, which was totally by accident, and also the most rewarding (?!) accident that I have ever had, I have not left the country without this book!! It was Corfu 1993 when I first fell in love with Rupert Campbell Black, and have had an on going love affair with that man ever since, albeit one sided and set totally within the confines of my mind!! I still have my original copy of the book, its torn, its tatty, sun tan lotion ...

Riders is the first in a series of six books (so far) by Jilly Cooper which will have you hooked right from the start. Rupert Campbell Black and one or two other main characters reappear throughout the series, thus forming a link from one book to the next. Having said that each of the books also stands on it’s own as a novel and would not be spoiled if read alone or out of order. Riders follows Rupert Campbell Black and his arch rival Jake Lovell as they fight for supremacy on the showjumping circuit. Each of them is an excellent rider is his own right, but they have very different ways of treating both horses and humans, particularly the ladies! ...