Riders

Almost as soon as you open the book you'll be able to tell that "Riders" was written in the 80's - it's the type of melodramatic, trashy novel that was very popular during that decade. But don't let that put you off. Behind the clichés is a book with an amazing plot and likeable characters. The book focuses on three men, all connected through the exciting sport of show jumping, and the women who love (or hate) them. Rupert Campbell Black is rich, mean, and ruthless. He treats his horses badly and his women worse. His wife, Helen, is a young, respectable American, who finds herself unable to deal with Rupert's sex drive and infidelity. Rupert's best friend, Billy, is the nice guy of the show-jumping world. He loves his horses, and treats them like friends. Most people seem to feel that he doesn't have the drive to win that can propel him to true greatness. Jake, an orphan gypsy, is Rupert's polar opposite, or at least he seems to be. He treats his horses like people, and loves them more than anything, even his poor wife, Tory, who he only married for her money. The paths of these men cross again and again as they compete against each other, sometimes with disastrous results. The book has its share of tragedy, although the incredible triumphs make up for any sadness the characters have to deal with. It covers an incredibly long period of time, which means you get to see characters grow up and change, something that makes the reader very attached to them. Some of the writing, especially in regards to sex, is very crude. Readers used to the more flowery writing of today may not like it very much. But the wonderful plot made up for any flaws in the writing. This is the first book of Jilly Cooper's wonderful series, and an excellent introduction to her writing.

I actually found Jilly Cooper by reading books by Fiona Walker(who is brilliant by the way). Jilly's books are a little hard to come by, but boy am I glad I searched...soooo worth it. Riders was a great read...don't let the length of the book intimidate you...you'll fly through it...You are with the characters through so much and for such a span of years..that by the end...you really feel as if you know them. I definitely recommend this book..also, go out and get Fiona Walker's books as well!! French Relations and Well Groomed( In that order) are my favorites of the bunch.

I read everything I can get my hands on - from classics, to fantasy, romance, technical publications, and best sellers. This is my favorite book of all time. I find Jilly Cooper's writing style fast, sexy, and enthralling. I read this book for the first time over 10 years ago and have just re-read it. It's mesmerizing. Rupert, Jake, Fen, Billy and company will keep you glued to the pages. Add to that horses and show-jumping, this book just couldn't get any better.

My Mom bought me this book on a trip to England back in the mid-1980's when it was published. All she knew was that it was "horsey", and I was a horse-crazy teen. I have thanked her ever since for bringing Jilly Cooper into my life! Perhaps because it was the first, "Riders" is still my favorite, although I love her subsequent tales as well -- even the non-"horsey" ones. The characters are so well-developed, that there are so many people to love and hate -- and hate to love! Rupert should not be a sympathetic character, yet who doesn't root for him in the final Olympic test of his heart and strength? Jake is moody, broody, and takes Tory for granted -- yet OF COURSE you want things to wind up well for him. And even though Fen takes a detour into bratty self-obsession, you have to hope that she and Dino will get it together in the end. I go back and re-read this book every year or two, and EVERY TIME I hate to put it down, and I'm depressed when I reach the end. I hope Jilly Cooper continues writing about the antics of these fabulous characters. I'd hate to think "Score" was her last tale about this group! There are so many stories left to tell. Read this book!

"Riders" was the first Jilly Cooper I read and after that I was hooked. You become caught up in the lives of the characters, who come to life through Jilly's sparkling writing. After reading this book I became fascinated with upper-class English life, and I found the show-jumping theme really interesting even though I am not a horsey person. The best thing is that all the main characters appear again in at least some of the five sequels, with "Rivals" having a great love story involving Rupert Campbell-Black. Jilly Cooper is the best in her genre, and "Riders" is one of her best.