Riders (novel)

Riders is a novel by the British author Jilly Cooper, published in 1985. It is the first book in the Rutshire Chronicles series, a sequence of romantic and equestrian-themed novels set in the fictional English county of Rutshire.

The novel is a sprawling saga focusing on the glamorous and competitive world of show jumping, with a particular emphasis on the rivalries and relationships between several key characters. Central to the narrative are Rupert Campbell-Black, a charismatic but ruthless aristocrat and show jumper, and Jake Lovelace, a more grounded and compassionate rider who serves as Rupert's principal rival both in the arena and in matters of the heart.

Riders is known for its explicit sexual content, larger-than-life characters, and exploration of themes such as ambition, class, love, betrayal, and the often-cutthroat nature of high society. The novel was a commercial success and established Jilly Cooper as a best-selling author of romance and popular fiction. The subsequent books in the Rutshire Chronicles continue to follow the lives and loves of the characters introduced in Riders, often with new individuals and storylines interwoven into the existing tapestry. The book has been adapted for television.