Latest from Horse & Hound in Jilly-cooper

‘New romances and shocking secrets’ to be revealed as Rivals season three confirmed

Becky Murray — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:06:00 +0000

The much-loved residents of Rutshire will be back for more drama as award-winning television series Rivals is confirmed for season three.

As fans await the second part of season two to air in November, Disney+ has confirmed a third season of the series, based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire chronicles, has been approved.

A Disney+ spokesperson said the announcement of Rivals season three follows “rave reviews” of season two – which became the biggest EMEA original premiere for Disney+ in the UK and Ireland.

“The series has continued to captivate audiences with its sharp wit, high-stakes drama and richly drawn characters,” said the spokesperson.

“As the dust settles post the scandalous revelations in season two, we see the stakes become higher and the alliances more fragile, with nothing staying buried for long.

“New romances blossom, old flames rekindle and shocking secrets will be spilled in this third series, which takes everyone’s favourite rivalries to the next level. In a world of power, passion and betrayal, everyone has something to lose.”

Dominic Treadwell-Collins, chief creative officer of Rivals producer Happy Prince, added: “We’ve been delighted and overwhelmed by the audience’s response to season two of Rivals – testament to the hard work from everyone working on Rivals both on and off screen.”

Dame Jilly died in October 2025 and Happy Prince creative director Alex Lamb said “our one sadness is that Jilly didn’t get to witness the love for season two”.

“But she’s still very much with us in spirit and would be so delighted that season three has been green-lit,” he said.

“We’re so thrilled to continue to work with Disney as we dive deeper into the Rutshire chronicles and expand the Cooperverse even further.”

A release date for Rivals season three is still to be confirmed. The first part of season two concluded on 5 June and left viewers in suspense following events during a dramatic storm. Part two of season two will return with six more episodes in November.

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Watch the new trailer for part two of Rivals season two as release date confirmed

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How to watch Jilly Cooper’s Rivals season 2 on TV from locations around the world

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How to watch Jilly Cooper’s Rivals season 2 on TV from locations around the world

georgia.guerin@futurenet.com (Georgia Guerin) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:54:48 +0000

We waited patiently for Rivals season 2 to air and now we’ve hit the mid-season break. So when do we get more of our favourite horsey TV series?

The trailer for part 2 of Rivals season 2 has now been released following the mid-season finale, giving us a sneak peek of what’s to come in the next instalment Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles – and we can’t wait!

When is Rivals season 2 release date?

The first drop was released on Hulu/Disney+ on Friday, 15 May 2026. This was only part one – part two is yet to be released.

When are the next episodes available?

Six more episodes are due to drop in November. Disney+ have not yet announced a specific date.

What time will Rivals season 2 be released?

Timings haven’t been confirmed yet – and neither do we have the specific date, but when we do – we can expect them to follow these standard Hulu/Disney+ time drops:

UK – 7am BST
US – 12am PT / 3am ET
Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
Australia – 6pm AEST
New Zealand – 8pm NZDT

Rivals season 2 episodes

Episode 1: Tony returns, scarred and dangerous, as rivalries reignite. But who will pay the price for war? (Released 15 May 2026)
Episode 2: The General Election looming, pressure builds for Rupert, and Sarah is at a crossroads with Tony. (Released 15 May 2026)
Episode 3: As the election day fallout upends Rupert, Declan and Venturer have a difficult decision to make. (Released 15 May 2026)
Episode 4: Maud returns to Rutshire as lovers are led astray and ambition turns seductive. (Released 22 May 2026)
Episode 5: Rupert lands a TV comeback as Declan spirals in Ireland and Tony doubles down on his power games. (Released 29 May 2026)
Episode 6: A storm descends on Rutshire as a sordid secret is exposed and the night takes a dark turn. (Released 5 June 2026, mid-season finale)
Episodes 7–12: Due to be released, starting in November

Rivals season 2 cast

David Tennant (Tony Baddingham)
Oliver Chris (James Vereker)
Katherine Parkinson (Lizzie Vereker)
Alex Hassell (Rupert Campbell-Black)
Victoria Smurfit (Maud O’Hara)
Luke Pasqualiano (Basil Baddingham)
Danny Dyer (Freddie Jones)
Lisa McGrillis (Valerie Jones)
Aidan Turner (Declan O’Hara)
Nafessa Williams (Cameron Cook)
Claire Rushbrook (Lady Monica Baddingham)

How to watch Rivals season 2 in the UK

In the UK, you can watch Rivals on Disney+.

It costs £5.99 per month to sign up to Disney+ – with no hidden costs and the ability to cancel anytime.

How to watch Rivals season 2 in the US

In the US, you can watch Rivals on Hulu.

It costs $11.99 per month to sign up to Hulu (with ads), but they also offer a 30-day free trial as well.

How to watch Rivals season 2 in Australia

In the UK, you can watch Rivals on Disney+.

It costs $9.99 per month to sign up to Disney+ (with ads) – with no hidden costs and the ability to cancel anytime.

How to watch Rivals season 2 from anywhere

If you’re away from home, you can use NordVPN to secure your stream from anywhere in the world.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get an exclusive 75% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

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How to use a VPN

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. NordVPN is the one we recommend.

2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access. For instance, if you’re away from the UK and want to view a British service, you’d select UK from the list.

3. Then head over to your service provider on your browser or device and enjoy watching Rivals

Watch the new trailer for part two of Rivals season two as release date confirmed

Becky Murray — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:59:48 +0000

Rivals fans have four months to wait to find out what happens next following the dramatic mid-season finale – as a release date for the second part of season two is announced.

Disney+ has confirmed that the critically acclaimed television adaption of the late Dame Jilly Cooper’s much-loved book will return with six more episodes of the TV series in November.

“Following a shocking turn of events in the sixth episode, the residents of Rutshire are rocked by tragedy, scandal and betrayal as the battle between Venturer and Corinium reaches breaking point,” said a Disney+ spokesperson.

A new trailer has given a glimpse of what fans can expect when watching Rivals season 2 part two.

“As Tony Baddingham and Declan O’Hara’s contest for the Cotswolds crown hits a fever pitch, Rupert Campbell-Black is forced to confront his own personal demons,” said the spokesperson.

“Across hedonistic parties, Bonfire Night chaos, the Hampshire Hunt ball and a turbulent Christmas, affairs unravel, alliances fracture and rivalries intensify. Caught in the middle of the frenzied franchise battle, Taggie O’Hara must find the courage to follow her heart while everyone else faces the consequences of ambition, power and secrets that they can no longer hide.”

New characters will also be introduced, including Lady Monica Baddingham’s younger sister Araminta Pemberton (Rachael Stirling), headmaster David Hawkley (Rupert Evans) and Argentinian polo player Alejando Mendoza (Santiago Carbera).

The first series of Rivals was released in October 2024 and at the time Dame Jilly, who died aged 88 in October 2025, said: “Nearly 40 years after my novel Rivals was published, I’ve adored seeing the world fall in love with my beloved characters – Rutshire’s finest”.

Following its success Rivals was commissioned for its second season in late 2024. Disney+ executive director of scripted originals Lee Mason said it had been “phenomenal” to see the reaction to the series.

“We’re thrilled that existing fans of the novels, alongside those new to the Cooperverse, have taken the series to their hearts,” he said.

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Pass the remote! Rivals season two release date confirmed alongside sneak peek of upcoming action

Lucy Elder — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:47:58 +0000

Badminton, Royal Windsor and Rivals season two – May is gearing up to be a big month for the horse world.

H&H reported in December 2024 that the TV adaptation of the late Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire bonkbuster had been renewed for another season.

Disney+ confirmed the release date for the second season of Rivals this week (5 February), alongside sharing a new trailer.

“‘Rivals’ will return for its second season on 15 May with even more drama, wit and desire,” said a Disney+ spokesperson.

“The second season continues the adaptation of the late and much-missed Dame Jilly Cooper’s beloved novel Rivals, introducing the glamorous world of polo and surprising new twists, alongside heightened boardroom drama and deeper romantic entanglements.”

Watch the trailer for Rivals season two below

Jilly fans will have even more TV to devour this season – Disney+ has also revealed that the Hulu Original series will have 12 episodes in total, which will be split into two six-episode batches. The first “drop” of the second series will land on 15 May with a three-episode premier, and the second batch will air later in the year.

The book – and its prequel, Riders – is the place to start for anyone looking to brush up on their Rutshire knowledge ahead of the second season. The full Rivals season one is also available on Disney+, too.

A bevy of new stars joins the returning Rivals cast, including Hayley Attwell as Rupert Campbell-Black’s ex-wife Helen Gordon, and Rupert Everett as her husband Malise.

“The battle for the Central South West television franchise reaches a fever pitch as the war between Corinium and Venturer enters a dangerous new phase. More ruthless than ever, Tony Baddingham is determined to dismantle his rivals piece by piece, weaponising scandal and manipulating those closest to him to maintain his grip on power,” added the Disney+ spokesperson.

“Amidst the hedonistic glamour of 80s excess, the personal lives of our Rutshire heroes spiral into chaos. Marriages fracture under the weight of ambition, illicit affairs threaten to shatter families, and long-buried secrets ignite with explosive consequences. As rivalries push everyone to the brink, loyalties are tested and hearts are broken in the pursuit of victory. But what is the true cost of war?”

Grab the remote, pass vol-au-vents, top up your glasses – what a treat to look forward to!

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Celebrating the work of Dame Jilly Cooper with our favourite novels by the author

georgia.guerin@futurenet.com (Georgia Guerin) — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:29:31 +0000

Dame Jilly Cooper is famous in the equestrian world for creating the Rutshire Chronicles series but she wrote a total of 44 books in her lifetime, selling more than 11 million copies around the world. On hearing the sad news that Dame Jilly passed away yesterday (5 October), the team at Horse & Hound took some time to reminisce about our favourite Jilly Cooper books.

As an equestrian, it’s frustrating when books and TV don’t get the minor details correct when it comes to horses and horse sport, but with Jilly’s novels this is never the case. She once told H&H this was because “I don’t have a very good imagination, I like to have been there” and that she “used to go all over the country and abroad with the incredibly glamorous Harvey Smith, David Broome and the Whitakers for my research”.

Whether based in equestrian sport or elsewhere, the Rutshire Chronicles certainly live up to their “bonkbuster” reputation, and you can’t help but warm to Jilly’s wonderful characters as they deal with matters of class, sex, marriage, rivalry, grief and fertility along the way. As her agent and friend Felicity Blunt said: “Jilly wrote with acuity and insight about all things. Her plots were both intricate and gutsy, spiked with sharp observations and wicked humour.”

They’re certainly a must-read for anyone looking for entertaining horsey fiction with added spice – and are as enjoyable now as when we first read them.

H&H’s pick of the best Jilly Cooper books

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

1. Riders

This is Jilly’s first book and was published in 1969. Riders is our first introduction to the famous Rupert Campbell-Black, and the first of the Rutshire Chronicles series – and by many accounts the steamiest. This one is a standout favourite among the team.

“It’s the original and best,” says magazine and eventing editor Pippa Roome. “It’s such a huge and sprawling book covering a long time period, with a huge amount of detail around the human and equine characters. It’s a rich immersion in the showjumping world, from county shows through to the World Championships and the Olympics.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

2. Polo

This is the third in the series (published in 1991), but is still a great place to start if you haven’t read any. Rather than showjumping, this book is set around the sport of kings in the 1980s – and very accurately so. Some readers may find teen character Perdita MacLeod rather infuriating, but it’s well worth sticking with Polo as it all comes right in the end.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

3. Score!

The sixth in the series has all the usual bits of a Jilly Cooper novel, but with the added twist of a murder mystery. Score! features Sir Robert Rannaldini, who is the most successful but detested conductor in the world. He has two ambitions: to seduce his ravishing 19-year-old stepdaughter Tabitha Campbell-Black and to put his mark on musical history.

“Jilly’s early romances are such feel-good chick lit and I love the ‘whodunnit’ Score! – it was brilliant and really keeps you guessing!” says news editor Eleanor Jones.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

4. Rivals

The second Rutshire Chronicle is the perfect entry to a world of Jilly Cooper – especially if you don’t consider yourself much of a reader as this was turned into a series for Disney+ last year. As always, however, you do get so much more if you read the book! Failing that, there’s also a new audio book read by actress Georgia Tennant (wife of David Tennant, who plays Lord Tony Baddingham).

The book is set in the cut-throat world of 1980s British television; Rupert Campbell-Black returns in Rivals freshly divorced, having given up on showjumping (although there is still plenty of horses and riding involved) and he is now the Conservative Party’s minister for sport. Want to give it a go? Here’s how to watch Rivals.

Rutshire Chronicles order

Of course, if you want to read the Rutshire Chronicles in order, here’s where to start:

Riders (1985)
Rivals (1988)
Polo (1991)
The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (1993)
Appassionata (1996)
Score! (1999)
Pandora (2002)
Wicked! (2006)
Jump! (2010)
Mount! (2016)
Tackle! (2023)

A ‘shining light’ has gone out: farewell to national treasure Dame Jilly Cooper, aged 88

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:38:16 +0000

Tributes have flooded in to national treasure Dame Jilly Cooper, who has died at the age of 88.

Felix and Emily, children of the beloved author, said their mother, who died after a fall yesterday morning (5 October), was “the shining light in all of our lives”.

“Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds,” they said. “Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock.

“We are so proud of everything she achieved in her life and can’t begin to imagine life without her infectious smile and laughter all around us.”

Lifelong horse lover Jilly is best known for her Rutshire Chronicles series, starring the dashing Rupert Campbell-Black, but she wrote 44 books in total, selling over 11 million copies around the world.

“The privilege of my career has been working with a woman who has defined culture, writing and conversation since she was first published over 50 years ago,” said her agent and friend Felicity Blunt.

“Jilly will undoubtedly be best remembered for her chart-topping series the Rutshire Chronicles and its havoc-making and handsome show-jumping hero Rupert Campbell-Black.

“You wouldn’t expect books categorised as bonkbusters to have so emphatically stood the test of time but Jilly wrote with acuity and insight about all things – class, sex, marriage, rivalry, grief and fertility. Her plots were both intricate and gutsy, spiked with sharp observations and wicked humour.”

Jilly Cooper, centre with Belinda Mayne, left, and Caroline Waldron, who featured in a 1993 television adaptation of Riders. (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Ms Blunt added that Jilly was executive producer for the screen adaptation of her novel Rivals for Disney+, which aired last year.

“Her suggestions for story and dialogue inevitably layered and enhanced scripts and her presence on set was a joy for cast and crew alike,” she said. “Emotionally intelligent, fantastically generous, sharply observant and utter fun, Jilly Cooper will be deeply missed by all at Curtis Brown and on the set of Rivals.

“I have lost a friend, an ally, a confidante and a mentor. But I know she will live for ever in the words she put on the page and on the screen.”

Jilly started her career as a journalist, then moved to PR, then book publishing. She married publisher Leo Cooper in 1961 and they had their two children, moving to the Cotswolds in 1982. Her first book was published in 1969 and her first long novel, Riders, in 1985. The last Rutshire Chronicle, Tackle!, was published in 2023.

In an interview last year, Jilly told H&H she showjumped as a child but an injury put paid to riding.

“I just love horses,” she said. “They are so beautiful. I go and talk to them on my walks and stroke them. I loved showjumping as a child… eventing didn’t really exist in those days, showjumping was the big one so that’s what we all did – it was terribly exciting.

“One day when I was about 14, I was showing off. My friend Jane had a pony called Jeldi, who she couldn’t get over the parallel bars at a Pony Club meet. We were just fooling around, but I said, ‘Oh get off, I’ll get Jeldi to do it,’ rode up and of course Jeldi stopped and I went into the parallel bars.

“I trapped the nerve in my arm and it was paralysed for ages. I was in hospital for a long time and it was lovely missing so much school, but I couldn’t ride again. So I wrote Riders instead, which probably did me better in later life.”

Jilly was appointed OBE in 2004 for services to literature. She was awarded honorary doctorates by the universities of Gloucestershire and Anglia Ruskin and appointed CBE in 2018 for services to literature and charity. She became a dame last year, which she said was “terribly exciting” and “lovely”.

Jilly’s publisher Bill Scott-Kerr said working with her for 30 years had been “one of the great privileges and joys of my publishing life”.

“As a journalist she went where others feared to tread and as a novelist she did likewise,” he said. “It is no exaggeration to say that Riders, her first Rutshire chronicle, changed the course of popular fiction for ever.

“Ribald, rollicking and the very definition of good fun, it, and the 10 Rutshire novels which followed it, were to inspire a generation of women, writers and otherwise, to tell it how it was, whilst giving us a cast of characters who would define a generation and beyond.”

Jilly is survived by her children and five grandchildren.

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When H&H met the fun, flirty and simply fabulous Dame Jilly Cooper: ‘I just love horses – I go and talk to them on my walks’

Martha Terry — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:32:49 +0000

Following the sad news of Dame Jilly Cooper’s passing, age 88, here is an exclusive interview with the bestselling author from October 2024, when she told H&H’s Martha Terry about her own showjumping exploits, who were the real-life inspirations for her famous characters, and the day she lost the Riders manuscript on a bus

“Isn’t he the handsomest man in England?” Dame Jilly Cooper cocks her head to one side and asks me playfully. She’s sitting on a sofa in a London hotel next to actor Alex Hassell, who plays her caddish hero Rupert Campbell-Black in the new TV adaptation of her 1988 bestseller, Rivals.

While I splutter some sort of affirmative response, she purrs on, blue eyes twinkling. “Rupert is the handsomest man in England, though rather beastly, and look at this darling child! He is gorgeous isn’t he?”

It’s hard not to feel I’ve been transplanted into playing Hugh Grant in Notting Hill here. In a hotel room with a superstar (or two) and trying to talk about horses in a film that doesn’t really have an equestrian theme – except that I really do work for Horse & Hound.

Soothingly, Jilly validates my presence, pulling out a piece of paper from a canvas bag, branded National Racehorse Week, which she’d attended the previous week.

“I wanted to bring you this,” she says and hands me a photocopy of the first page of the first novel in the Rutshire Chronicles, Riders, pointing to the text where “tattered piles of Horse & Hound” lie on Jake Lovell’s floor.

Because Jilly absolutely adores horses. Starting out with showjumping in Riders in 1985, Jilly has returned to horse sport again and again throughout her oeuvre, from Polo (1991) to the National Hunt world in Jump! (2010) and Flat racing in Mount! (2016).

“You know, I don’t have a very good imagination, I like to have been there,” she smiles. “And I just love horses. They are so beautiful. I go and talk to them on my walks and stroke them.”

Early riding ambitions cut short

Growing up in the era of Pat Smythe and Anneli Drummond-Hay, Jilly was herself a keen showjumper as a girl, but serious injury put paid to her achieving the dizzy heights of her protagonists.

“Do you showjump? Do you play polo?” she asks, peppering questions at me as she does throughout the interview. “I loved showjumping as a child. I’m 87 and eventing didn’t really exist in those days, showjumping was the big one so that’s what we all did – it was terribly exciting. It was a thrill with lots of rosettes flapping around my pony. I had a heavenly pony called Willow, who was always absolutely covered in rosettes.

“One day when I was about 14, I was showing off. My friend Jane had a pony called Jeldi, who she couldn’t get over the parallel bars at a Pony Club meet. We were just fooling around, but I said, ‘Oh get off, I’ll get Jeldi to do it,’ and of course Jeldi stopped and I went into the parallel bars.

“I trapped the nerve in my arm and it was paralysed for ages,” she says, pulling up the cashmere sleeve on her right arm to reveal a long scar. “I was in hospital for a long time and it was lovely missing so much school, but I couldn’t ride again. So I wrote Riders instead, which probably did me better in later life.

“I used to go all over the country and abroad with the incredibly glamorous Harvey Smith, David Broome and the Whitakers for my research. But I probably wouldn’t set Rupert Campbell-Black in the showjumping world of today; it’s different now.”

Riders itself almost never came to be.

“I lost the book on a bus!” she chuckles. “Such an embarrassing story! I’d written 120,000 words and took it out to lunch in Soho with a friend. We got p*ssed and I remember afterwards going to Selfridges and trying on a lot of scent, then got on the number 22 bus back to Putney and forgot it. So I had to start all over again, which was a horror but I think the characterisation was better second time round.”

Jilly Cooper’s most famous character

Rupert Campbell-Black is arguably Jilly’s most famous character – and I suspect the one with whom she herself is in love. In Rivals, the former top showjumper has a new career as a Tory MP and sports minister under Margaret Thatcher. But he remains the same dashing womaniser, with roguish charm and dubious morals. She freely names the real-life men she used as inspiration.

“Andrew Parker Bowles helped me a lot – he’s a very good rider; a jockey and polo player, so he was definitely one of the Rupert muses,” she says fondly. “And then when we moved to the countryside, I met all these grand men. There was gorgeous Mickey Suffolk, the Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire. He used to ring up and say, ‘Hello Jilly, how are you? It’s Rupert here,’” Jilly mimics in a deep, pompous voice. “He loved being Rupert, loved it.

“And then there was [fashion designer] Rupert Lycett-Green, who was married to Candida Betjeman, and who is absolutely lovely, too. So they were all sort of muses, but not in their behaviour, they never did anything naughty.”

The “real” Rupert has been portrayed by only one actor prior to Alex Hassell, namely Marcus Gilbert, who played the Olympic showjumper version in a 1993 adaptation of Riders. It’s fair to say he didn’t quite cut Jilly’s mustard.

“It’s an awful story, which I shouldn’t tell,” says Jilly – but she does anyway. “They started filming Riders in Hyde Park with little showjumps. On the first day, the director said, ‘Come along Jilly and meet Rupert,’ and this gorgeous blond man came storming towards me.

“I said, ‘Oh, are you my Rupert? How gorgeous you are!’ He said, ‘How very gracious of you,’ and I thought, ‘No! No! “Very gracious” is not right.’ He was a sweet man, but ‘very gracious’ was a terrible expression for a Rupert. But I do feel mean repeating that story.”

Actors Alex Hassell and Luke Pasqualino playing Rupert Campbell-Black and Bas Baddingham in the Disney+ adaptation of Rivals. The horses are Lockie and Donk, provided by Atkinson Action Horses. NB: H&H recommends wearing a suitable safety helmet when in the saddle. (Image credit: Robert Viglasky)

The new Rupert is much more Jilly’s vibe, though Alex plays down the emphasis on his character’s good looks.

“In our script, he’s referred to as the most eligible bachelor, which is slightly less pressure for me than being the most handsome man in England,” he laughs. “I can handle that. It’s a pleasure to play such a brilliant, complex and multifaceted character. And the fact that Jilly has been so supportive of all the casting has been really helpful.”

Fans of the Rutshire Chronicles may be surprised that Alex is dark and swarthy – more Jake Lovell’s complexion than Rupert’s, but Jilly glints: “I had Rupert down as blond and blue-eyed, but then this beauty turns up.”

She takes Alex’s hand and turns it palm upwards for me to examine: “Look at his lines – a very good life line and a very good sex line. So that’s what he’s got: sex appeal.”

Alex adds: “I think they felt I could portray some essential Rupertness that was more important than blond hair and blue eyes.”

What was harder for him to portray is Rupert’s skill as a rider. Alex had only ridden once before, “American cowboy style”, for another TV show. He had a crash course with Mark Atkinson, riding his stunt horses, and a double stood in for the jumping and hunting parts.

“Rupert absolutely loves his animals, his six dogs and his horse Rocky, so I had to understand how to express that, and I found it wonderful,” he says. “Those relationships are so important to Rupert and therefore to me.”

Jilly Cooper’s love of dogs

The talk of dogs sends Jilly off on a canine tangent – “Do you have a dog?” she asks both of us. “I don’t at the moment, but as soon as all this publicity is over, I’m going to get a retired greyhound. Rupert loves his black Labrador, but they are such pigs – to keep a Labrador thin is impossible. But I love the bit in the TV show when the dogs fall all over him. When I wrote the book, I didn’t realise how lonely Rupert was…”

Jilly’s books have sold more than 11 million copies in the UK alone. She’s written a TV sitcom herself, It’s Awfully Bad for Your Eyes, Darling, with Joanna Lumley as the star. But while she is an executive producer on the Rivals series, it was a light-touch involvement.

“We didn’t collaborate, though I read the script and visited the set,” she says. “Sometimes I put my foot down a bit – only with the class things really.”

Jilly Cooper flanked by the Rivals cast: “beautiful men – the whole thing was magic”. (Image credit: Sanne Gault)

Jilly, known for hosting wild parties over the years at her Cotswold home, threw one recently for the Rivals cast – and while it might not have been as riotous as in the past, “love” was the overarching theme.

“All the millions of people on that set all seemed to be having a lovely time, and the lovely thing was that these beautiful men – Alex, Aidan Turner and David Tennant – all loved each other. Normally when you do a film like this, they are terribly jealous of each other, but there was no rivalry.

“The whole thing is magic! I am very, very over-excited. I try not to be, one mustn’t get too excited. I just go round touching wood the whole time. I used to touch men, now I touch wood,” she giggles.

A British national treasure

Flirty and full of mischief, Jilly Cooper can get away with these risqué comments because she’s a kind, fun and witty octogenarian, who is woven into Britain’s fabric as a national treasure. We horse people count her as one of our own, as it all began in our familiar world of hay barns and tack rooms (though less muck and mud; more glamour and, ahem, escapism).

And there’s scope for more; Jilly is pondering writing another book. I hopefully suggest she sets it in the eventing world, but another whim comes into her head. Alex mentions he trained as a dancer.

“Ballet,” she says conclusively, patting Alex on the knee. “You have very good legs, you can do Swan Lake.”

Whether Jilly’s next doorstopper is set on stage, in space or underwater, as Hugh Grant once said, “The readers of Horse & Hound will be absolutely delighted.”

This interview was first published in 17 October 2024 issue of Horse & Hound magazine, ahead of the premiere of Rivals on 18 October, which was exclusively available on Disney+

‘More romance, betrayal and shoulder pads!’: season two of Rivals confirmed

Lucy Elder — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:26:48 +0000

Fans of the hit adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper’s iconic novel Rivals will be delighted to hear the series has been confirmed for a second season.

The first series of Rivals, which was released this autumn, finished on a cliff-hanger. Its creators, Disney+ and Happy Prince, have now revealed that Rupert Campbell-Black and his Rutshire neighbours will be back on TV.

“Nearly 40 years after my novel Rivals was published, I’ve adored seeing the world fall in love with my beloved characters – Rutshire’s finest,” said Dame Jilly, executive producer and Rivals author.

“It has been a fairytale come true working with Happy Prince and Disney+ on the first season.

“I cannot wait for the return of my superhero Rupert Campbell-Black and the rest of the characters in season two!”

The story is set against a “backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England in the ruthless world of independent television”.

Lee Mason, executive director of scripted originals, EMEA Disney+, said that “it has been phenomenal” to see the reaction to the series.

“We’re thrilled that existing fans of the novels, alongside those new to the Cooperverse, have taken the series to their hearts,” he said.

“I can’t wait to get back to Rutshire and see what exciting drama the Happy Prince team have in store for season two – bring on more romance, betrayal, and shoulder pads!’”

No release date for season two of Rivals has yet been shared, but it will be back on Disney+ in the UK and internationally, and on Hulu in the US. All episodes of season one remain available to stream on Disney+, and we’ve put together more information about how to watch Rivals from locations around the world.

In a joint statement, Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Alexander Lamb, chief creative officer and creative director of Happy Prince respectively, said: “It’s been magical to receive the love back from viewers that we put into Rivals.

“The Rivals team set out to create people’s favourite television show, something enduring that our audience would take to their hearts and watch and rewatch. We’re delighted that we’re returning to Rutshire with Jilly and Disney+. It’s a special place to be.”

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A crash course in passing as an Olympic showjumper: how Rupert Campbell-Black’s actor learnt to ride for the TV series of Rivals

Martha Terry — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 07:30:13 +0000

Picking up new skills, whether it’s a specific dialect or a certain craft, is part of the job description for an actor. Learning how to ride – from scratch – was the task set for Alex Hassell (His Dark Materials and The Boys), who plays Rupert Campbell-Black in the Disney + TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Rivals. Not only did Alex need to become adept at basic paces, but to be able to pass himself off as an Olympic gold medal-winning showjumper. He’d only ridden once before, “American cowboy style”, for another TV show.

“Where I was growing up, everything was about musicals, so I did singing and dancing lessons, ballet and tap,” says Alex, 44. “I ride a fair amount in this show and I absolutely loved it. You don’t get long to learn, and it was fairly alien to me, but I had very brilliant trainers who gave me a crash course in how to hold myself in a convincing way. It’s also about how you stroke them, feel confident around them.

“Rupert absolutely loves his dogs and his horse, Rocky, so I had to learn to feel how to express that as those relationships are so important to him.”

Alex wasn’t put to the ultimate test of jumping fences, but he learnt to canter – and did many of the stunts that would often be handed over to a double.

“I didn’t fall off!” Alex says. “I’m nearly galloping. I don’t think they’d quite let me gallop in case something goes wrong. But on the whole it’s me riding the horse – there are a couple of jumps they do in the hunting scenes, which isn’t me.”

The “amazing trainer” was Mark Atkinson, whose family business has been providing horses for TV and film for 25 years.

“Alex was keen and enjoyed it, so he was an absolute pleasure to teach,” says Mark. “I was hoping he’d have a light seat, and he was so easy because he’s very quiet and kind to the horse. He was always interested in how the horse was feeling that day.

“For the first few lessons you’re just teaching them to ride, so that they feel safe. Safety is everything in this world. And then it’s like you have to smudge the painting a bit, to make him look as if he’s been riding all his life, picked up a few bad habits. So any bad habits are my fault, because I’ve told him not put his heels down, not to look forced.

“And it’s also teaching them to be around horses – how to gather up the reins, getting on and landing nicely in the saddle – but Alex is very fit and he’s not a heavy guy.”

Which horse did Rupert Campbell-Black ride in Rivals?

The directors of Rivals gave Mark freedom in choosing which horse would best suit Rupert Campbell-Black as his beloved Rocky.

“I read Riders on holiday when my wife passed it on to me, and I thought it was absolutely brilliant!” says Mark. “So I had a good idea of who Rupert was and the type of horse he should ride. He’s not going to be on a big gypsy cob…”

He selected “Lockie”, a flea-bitten grey Irish Draught who stands at 17.1hh. He was previously a showjumper and did a bit of hunting before Mark took him on five years ago.

“Rupert Campbell-Black” with “Rocky” (Image credit: Robert Viglasky)

“Lockie belonged to a friend of mine and I’d seen him out hacking and always said ‘if you ever want to sell him, can we have him?’” Mark says. “The first day I rode him, it was hot, so I took off my shirt and waved it around his head and eye, to see how he was, and he was brilliant.

“He’s perfect for this job because his flatwork is really good and he can pop a fence if we need him to, although for Rivals, he had a double called Stig ridden by Alex’s double Dan Adams. The hero horses don’t usually jump or do any fast work.

“The horses need to be comfortable to ride, because if you’re learning and have to look as if you’re having a great time, you don’t want a horse that hits the ground with his shoulder. Lockie is like a big armchair.”

Lockie, who cut his teeth in the background on shows like Poldark before progressing to be a “hero’s horse” is also a pro with lights, cameras and tracking vehicles, although he doesn’t like being the only horse on set.

“We have to make sure there’s another horse in sight, though it can be quite far away,” says Mark. “Another thing we had to do is match him up well with another horse, because if you have two friends riding along together, the horses need to get along too.”

Rupert Campbell-Black rides out with Bas Baddingham, played by Luke Pasqualino, and Mark chose a stunning dun Polish horse as his mount.

“The two horses really like each other,” says Mark. “Donk, the dun, is like a big dog! He actually did his own jumping as his double wasn’t right that day – and he did it very well. I’ve got a soft spot for him, but I have a soft spot for all my horses. We are famous for never selling them. They retire on our farm – we’re lucky; we have the land.”

And another Rupert Campbell-Black thing…

When Mark was young, his passion was showjumping and Harvey Smith his idol – whose autograph he remembers collecting on a scrap of chewed up paper as a six-year-old.

“Years later, I was showjumping a young horse and for some reason we had to ride up to the commentary box and say who you were and the name of your horse,” Mark says. “It must have been the time Riders came out, and it was hugely successful – I must have just come back from my holiday. So rode up to the box and said, ‘I’m Rupert Campbell-Black, riding Revenge’. They absolutely didn’t know, so duly introduced me as Rupert Campbell-Black on Revenge. A lot of ladies were laughing!”

A few decades later, and Mark is helping another bloke to be a perfectly credible Rupert.

Rivals premieres 18th October exclusively on Disney+

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How to watch Jilly Cooper’s Rivals on TV from locations around the world

Franchesca Slack — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 07:30:18 +0000

The highly anticipated adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s best-selling novel, Rivals, will soon be available to enjoy as a TV drama thanks to Disney+. The eight-part “bonk-buster” will be available from Friday 18 October on Disney+ and Hulu.

If you’re on holiday over the release but can’t wait to watch, or even abroad in a place where the saucy scenes might get censored, then you can watch the horsey TV series, as if you were at home, from anywhere in the world with a VPN. Not sure how to use a VPN? Then we are here to help.

Quick links

Watch in the UK
Watch in the US
Watch in Australia

The series is based heavily on one of Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles Rivals and follows the competition and rivalry between two ambitious and charismatic men, “dashing ex-Olympian, Tory MP and incorrigible rake” Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant). The steamy classic is set in 1986 where deals are brokered in boardrooms, as well as bedrooms – and nobody can be sure who will come out on top.

Rivals features a star-studded cast that also includes Emily Atack, Danny Dyer, Aidan Turner, Katherine Parkinson, Luke Pasqualino and Claire Rushbrook.

Dame Jilly Cooper, who also acts as an executive producer on the Disney+ series, says she couldn’t have dreamed of a better cast.

“I’m utterly enchanted to be able to announce our all-star line-up for Rivals, says Jilly. “I cannot wait to be on set and see them bring the characters I love so much to life!”

Here’s a taste of what’s to come in Rivals.

How to watch Rivals in the UK

In the UK, you can watch Rivals on Disney+.

The show will debut on Friday 18 October.

It costs £4.99 per month to sign up to Disney+ – with no hidden costs and the ability to cancel anytime.

How to watch Rivals in the US

In the US, you can watch Rivals on Hulu.

The show will debut on Friday 18 October.

It costs $7.99 per month to sign up to Hulu or $9.99 for Hulu and Disney+ together – with no hidden costs and the ability to cancel anytime.

How to watch Rivals in Australia

In the UK, you can watch Rivals on Disney+.

The show will debut on Friday 18 October.

It costs $13.99 per month to sign up to Disney+ – with no hidden costs and the ability to cancel anytime.

How to use a VPN

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. NordVPN is the one we recommend.

2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access. For instance, if you’re away from the UK and want to view a British service, you’d select UK from the list.

3. Then head over to your service provider on your browser or device and enjoy watching Rivals

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Rupert Campbell-Black, wild parties and glorious moustaches: first peek at new Jilly Cooper TV adaptation

Lucy Elder — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 12:56:37 +0000

Dame Jilly Cooper fans are in for a treat as the first trailer of the hotly anticipated adaptation of Rutshire “bonkbuster” Rivals has been revealed.

The teaser offers a sneak peek into the glamorous, cut-throat world of 1980s television – complete with an early glimpse of Alex Hassell as “dashing ex-Olympian, Tory MP and incorrigible rake” Rupert Campbell-Black.

“This is going to be marvellous,” says David Tennant’s Lord Tony Baddingham in the opening sequence.

We hope so. The volume of both 1980s hair and moustaches in this 42-second clip certainly promises as much.

Watch the trailer below

The press release bills the eight-part blockbuster series as “packed full of romantic entanglements, dastardly deals, sex and wit”.

The release date for the Disney+ adaptation has not yet been released. All we know so far is that it is set to debut on Hulu in the US and on Disney+ in other countries this year.

Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black. (Image credit: Robert Viglasky/Disney+)

So what else can be gleaned from a rigorous analysis of the trailer while we wait? There are horses. Polka dots, parties, a smattering of tweed, a cameo appearance by the iconic red stilettos from the book’s original cover, fabulous houses, plus Rupert on what looks to be a private jet – and later getting slapped in the face at one of the said parties.

That’s not all – a second wave of still images has also been released, including Luke Pasqualino (Freddie from Skins) as Bas Baddingham on a horse (and where is your hat, Mr Baddingham?!).

Luke Pasqualino as Bas Baddingham. (Image credit: Robert Viglasky)

The stellar cast was first announced in 2023, with Poldark actor Aidan Turner, Inbetweeners star Emily Atak and EastEnders icon Danny Dyer among the top British talent confirmed.

Dame Jilly, who is also an executive producer of the series, said at the time that she was “utterly enchanted” to announce the “all-star line-up”.

“[It features] some of the best acting talent that the British Isles has to offer, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better ensemble cast,” she said.

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(Image credit: Disney+)

Hunt for Rupert Campbell-Black concludes! Cast confirmed for Jilly Cooper’s Rivals

(Image credit: Disney+)

‘Let the hunt for Rupert Campbell-Black commence!’ Disney+ to bring iconic Jilly Cooper novel to life

(Image credit: Disney+)

Jilly Cooper among equestrians named in The King’s new year honours

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Jilly Cooper among equestrians named in The King’s new year honours

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 11:13:43 +0000

Jilly Cooper said she was “incredibly bowled over” to be honoured with a damehood for services to literature and charity.

The author was one of the equestrians named in The King’s first New Year Honours List, which also recognises coaches and figures from the horseracing industry.

Jilly Cooper’s citation covers her career from a reporter on the Middlesex Independent in 1955 to a Sunday Times columnist and bestselling author of 47 books, including the hugely popular Rutshire chronicles and Animals in War, an account of the roles animals have played in human battles. She was one of the founding patrons of the animals in war memorial in Hyde Park and patron of many animal welfare charities.

Peter Jensen, lately chair of trustees of the Home of Horseracing Trust, and chair of the British Sporting Arts Trust, was appointed OBE for charitable service, and Julian Richmond-Watson, lately chair of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, was appointed OBE for services to the British horseracing industry. Richard Linley, lately senior inspector of courses for the British Horseracing Authority, was appointed MBE for services to horseracing. King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery commanding officer John Baileff was also appointed MBE.

Pony Club trainer Jennifer Bryer was appointed MBE for services to horse riding, as was British Horse Society (BHS) regional access and bridleway officer for Wales Dorothy Hyett, for services to horse riders and horse welfare. Harriet Laurie, founder of TheHorseCourse, was appointed MBE for services to disadvantaged people in Dorset.

The British Empire Medal (BEM) went to Alison Buchanan, BHS Changing Lives Through Horses coach and yard manager at BHS-approved Bovington Equestrian, and a trustee of the #WillDoes charity, for services to young people. Malson Phillips, chair of the South Wales Shire Horse Society, was also given the BEM, for services to conservation.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak said: “The New Year Honours List recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion.

“To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all.”

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(Image credit: John Millar/Country Life/IPC+Syndication)

Hunt for Rupert Campbell-Black concludes! Cast confirmed for Jilly Cooper’s Rivals

(Image credit: John Millar/Country Life/IPC+Syndication)

5 (slightly naughty) reasons we’re overexcited about Jilly Cooper’s new book

What is it about Jilly’s sex ‘n’ horses formula that makes it so successful? Let’s take a look...

There are some horsey books so gripping, you'll be tempted to cancel all other weekend plans you had to carry

(Image credit: John Millar/Country Life/IPC+Syndication)

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Hunt for Rupert Campbell-Black concludes! Cast confirmed for Jilly Cooper’s Rivals

Lucy Elder — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 17:49:01 +0000

A star cast has been revealed today for the hotly anticipated Disney+ TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Rivals with news that filming has started in the UK.

Doctor Who’s David Tennant, Poldark actor Aidan Turner, Inbetweeners star Emily Atak and EastEnders icon Danny Dyer are among the top British talent confirmed for the eight-part series.

The search for the “dangerously charismatic” Rupert Campbell-Black is complete, with Alex Hassell, whose credits include The Tragedy of Macbeth and The Boys, taking on the role of the “dashing ex-Olympian, Tory MP and incorrigible rake”. David Tennant will play Rupert’s “single-mindedly ambitious and egotistical Rutshire neighbour Lord Tony Baddingham, controller of Corinium Television”.

Jilly, who is also an executive producer of the series, said she is “utterly enchanted” to announce the “all-star line-up” for Rivals.

“Featuring some of the best acting talent that the British Isles has to offer, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better ensemble cast. I cannot wait to be on set and see them bring the characters I love so much to life,” said Jilly.

“The minute we met with Alex we knew he’d perfectly embody my all-time hero, the iconic, racy, ruthless, and devastatingly handsome Rupert Campbell-Black. Viewers are in for a treat!”

Jilly Cooper (centre), pictured with Alex Hassell, Dany Dyer, David Tennant and Aidan Turner. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Aidan Turner plays TV presenter Declan O’Hara, with Victoria Smurfit, of Bloodlands fame, playing his “bohemian, fickle” wife Maud O’Hara. Bella Maclean, who has had roles in Spring Awakening and Sex Education, plays their “tender-hearted yet strong-willed” elder daughter Taggie, with their younger daughter Caitlin portrayed by Catriona Chandler.

Nafessa Williams, whose credits include Black Lighting and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, plays Cameron Cook, a ferociously talented American TV executive who is brought to Corinium by Tony to produce Declan’s new prime-time talk show. Katherine Parkinson (Humans) stars as Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist “consistently overlooked by her preening and self-centred TV presenter husband”, James Vereker, played by Oliver Chris (The Crown).

Danny Dyer stars as the “honourable, loyal and lovable” self-made electronics millionaire Freddie Jones, whose wife Valerie is played by Lisa McGrillis (Maternal).

Claire Rushbrook (Sherwood) plays Lady Monica Baddingham, Luke Pasqualino (Skins) the charming Basil “Bas” Baddingham, Tony’s younger brother and the owner of Cotchester’s Bar Sinister.

Emily Atack takes the role of Sarah Stratton, the new wife to MP Paul Stratton, played by Rufus Jones (W1A).

A release date has not yet been announced.

‘Let the hunt for Rupert Campbell-Black commence!’ Disney+ to bring iconic Jilly Cooper novel to life

Lucy Elder — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 07:38:46 +0000

The hunt for Rupert Campbell-Black is on as Disney+ reveals it will be bringing the iconic Jilly Cooper novel Rivals to life in a new eight-part series.

Rivals is the second in Jilly’s hugely popular Rutshire Chronicles series, featuring many of the same much loved – and affectionately loathed – characters readers first met in Riders.

Rupert Campbell-Black, retired from his Olympic showjumping career and now Tory minister for sport, is back as the story dives into the cut-throat world of independent television in the 1980s, “where the shoulder pads are big and ambitions even bigger”.

“As tensions rise and rivalries deepen, there are spilled secrets, forged alliances, and snatched liaisons that draw wives, lovers, colleagues, friends and families into their battle,” bills the Disney+ announcement.

Jilly, who is an executive producer on the new series, said she is “so, so excited”.

“Throughout my childhood, my favourite word was ‘Disney’, and by a miraculous coincidence, greater-than-ever Disney are joining forces with an utterly brilliant drama company, Happy Prince, to turn my novel into a TV series,” she said.

“I know they will bring the boardroom battles and love triangles of my characters to life – particularly those of my devastatingly handsome hero. I cannot wait to see who will be stepping into his shoes…let the hunt for our Rupert Campbell-Black commence!”

The series will be written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins with Olivier Award-winner Laura Wade, whose credits include The Riot Club.

“I have been wooing Jilly Cooper since I first started working in television,” said Mr Treadwell-Collins.

“Jilly’s iconic novels’ razor-sharp observations on class, sex, love and what it means to be British resonate even more today than when Jilly wrote them in the 1980s.

BAFTA-nominated Elliot Hegarty, whose credits include Ted Lasso, Cheaters and Trying, is named as lead director, and Eliza Mellor, whose CV features The Midwich Cuckoos, Behind Her Eyes and Poldark, serves as series producer.

The executive producers are Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Alexander Lamb for Happy Prince, which is part of ITV Studios, Felicity Blunt, Laura Wade, Jilly Cooper and director of scripted content for Disney+ EMEA, Lee Mason.

Mr Mason said that the combination of Jilly Cooper and Disney+ is “delightfully unexpected”.

“We were thrilled when Dominic brought us these iconic books, and we leapt at the chance to bring them to life. We can’t wait to welcome Rupert Campbell-Black and the residents of Rutshire to the platform,” he said.

Jilly Cooper to judge former racehorses with ‘personality’ for special new award

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 11:02:07 +0000

Jilly Cooper is to judge a new title at this year’s Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) awards, the “personality of the year”.

The author will choose three finalists in the new category, formed in honour of owner and breeder Paul Mellon to mark the awards’ 20^th anniversary.

The award will go to a former racehorse with “great strength of character and personality in making the transition to a new life after racing”.

An RoR spokesman said: “RoR was privileged to receive a bequest of $3.5m from the estate of Paul Mellon, the owner of Mill Reef (the 1971 Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner) and countless other good racehorses. His legacy has been vital to establishing and funding RoR to promote the welfare of horses who have retired from racing.”

Nominations are open online until 28 November and Clare Blading will reveal the winners at the prestigious RoR Elite Awards evening at the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket on Saturday, 18 January.

RoR CEO Di Arbuthnot said: “We want to find a horse who has a personality that has displayed outstanding versatility, kindness and character, and that will represent the special bond, passion and great achievements of some of the thousands of former racehorses lovingly rehomed and retrained each year.

“We hear some great success stories from riders and we hope this award will get people talking passionately about the rewards of owning a former racehorse.”

Showcase

The news of the award comes as RoR is gearing up for its second annual showcase event, at Hartpury University on 23 November, at which top chaser Cue Card will be a special guest.

Following the success of the first showcase at Aintree last year, the day will be an “inspirational training and educational event designed by RoR to highlight the talent and transition of thoroughbred racehorses to their second careers”.

Visitors can watch clinics and demos, in dressage, eventing, endurance, natural horsemanship and western riding. Experts will share their knowledge discussing the racehorse as an athlete and its transition to a new career, using real racehorses.

Continues below…

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Watch Cue Card work at home during his retraining for the show ring

The National Hunt hero is enjoying his post-racing career

(Image credit: Future)

There will also be a guest appearance by Cue Card, who retired from racing last year and made his showing debut this year with Katie Jerram-Hunnable.

Ms Arbuthnot said: “Last year’s event received fantastic feedback and we are delighted that the 2019 RoR Showcase will be held at Hartpury in Gloucestershire to offer riders in and around the midlands and southern regions the chance to come together and learn about owning and retraining former racehorses. The day will be a showcase for the work of the charity all under one roof with a host of experts and industry professionals from the racing and equine worlds.”

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Michael Morpurgo credits war horse ‘Joey’ for knighthood

Lucy Elder — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 17:25:37 +0000

Michael Morpurgo has paid tribute to the horse behind his knighthood.

Mr Morpurgo received the title in the 2018 New Year Honours list — and has thanked Joey, the star of his celebrated book War Horse, for the accolade.

Since its publication in 1982, War Horse has been adapted into a much-loved stage show and film.

“There was never a knight that has owed so much to his horse as this one,” said Mr Morpurgo.

The author was awarded the knighthood for his services to literature and charity, and also thanked his mother “who first gave me a love of stories by reading to me in bed ad night”, his wife Clare and Ted Hughes.

He said the honour gives him a platform to advance one of his main passions: “The opportunity to talk about children’s literature and how really important that is to our young people growing up today.”

He is a children’s laureate, an honour given in recognition of his lifetime’s contribution to children’s literature, president of the Book Trust and co-founder of the charity Farms for City Children with his wife.

His other titles include The Butterfly Lion, Out Of The Ashes and An Eagle In The Snow.

“They [children] learn so much — not just spelling and punctuation, all that’s very important — but what you learn from a book is understanding and empathy,” added Mr Morpurgo.

“You learn to understand about other people, people of different colour, of different religion, of a different age – and reading can do that.

“So it’s wonderful to be in a position to maybe do that more powerfully.”

Jilly Cooper, author of the best-selling Rutshire chronicles — which include Riders, Rivals and Polo — has been appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to literature and charity.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

When asked in a BBC interview what three things she would like to be able to “command”, Jilly replied: “to stop people being cruel”.

“To stop people being cruel to animals — desperately about animals — and also to children and to people,” said Mrs Cooper.

She said if she had the power, she would raise fines for those guilty of animal cruelty, adding that she would also like to see a successful Brexit.

Article continues below…

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(Image credit: RACINGFOTOS.COM)

Jilly Cooper and War Horse author to receive New Year honours

Three Riding for the Disabled Association volunteers are among the other members of the equestrian world to be recognised in

There are some horsey books so gripping, you'll be tempted to cancel all other weekend plans you had to carry

Other stars from the equestrian world included in the 2018 list include four-time champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson, who was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.

Mr Henderson, who trains racehorses for The Queen, said he is “extremely proud, honoured, surprised and privileged” to be recognised.

“It’s a complete honour to train for Her Majesty and a very special bonus,” he added.

Master farrier Doug Bradbury, FWCF of Clay Cross, Chesterfield, in Derbyshire, was appointed MBE for his services to the farrier profession and the community in the East Midlands.

Mr Bradbury is the head of three generations of Derbyshire farriers, including his son, Neal, and grandson, Thomas.

He transformed the old forge offices in Clay Cross, Derbys, into the UK Horseshoeing Museum and lectures across the country.

Mr Bradbury received the Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers in 1986 and is one of only 74 farriers in the UK to earn the title of “master farrier” from the Worshipful Company.

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Jilly Cooper and War Horse author to receive New Year honours

Lucy Elder — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 06:57:23 +0000

War Horse author Michael Morpurgo and queen of the “bonkbuster” Jilly Cooper are among the stars of the equestrian world to receive accolades in the New Year Honours list.

Michael receives a knighthood for services to literature and charity, while Jilly is appointed CBE for the same reasons.

War Horse has sold more than a million copies since it was first published in 1982 and has been adapted into a hugely popular stage show and an Oscar-nominated film.

Michael is also president of the Book Trust and co-founded the charity Farms for City Children with his wife, Clare, which gives children from urban areas a chance to live and work on a real farm for a week.

Jilly, whose famous works include Riders, Polo and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, is currently working on her latest novel — which is set in the football world.

Four-time champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson is made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order and former jockey Paul Taiano is appointed OBE for services to drama training and horse racing welfare.

Master farrier Doug Bradbury, FWCF of Clay Cross, Chesterfield, in Derbyshire, has received an MBE for his services to the farrier profession and the community in the East Midlands.

Four Riding for the Disabled Association volunteers receive awards in the list — Anne Blair is appointed OBE for services to children and people with disabilities; Susan Law is appointed OBE for services to Riding for the Disabled; Jean Clarkson is receives a BEM for services to Riding for the Disabled in Dumfries and Galloway and Sister Mary-Joy Langdon receives a BEM for services to disabled and disadvantaged children.

Article continues below…

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(Image credit: RACINGFOTOS.COM)

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War Horse Joey sells for £35,000

The life-size horse puppet, used in the award-winning National Theatre production, was sold at a charity auction

In total 1,123 people have received awards and 70% of these are people who have undertaken “outstanding work” in their communities, either in a voluntary or paid capacity. Women make up 49% of the total list.

“The honours system continues to recognise those doing extraordinary things to support their community and reinforce civic life across the UK,” read a statement from the Cabinet Office.

“It is built on/relies on nominations put forward by members of the public and we urge everybody to nominate the person in their lives that they think deserves an honour.

“We continue to see inspirational action by people up and down the country.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

5 (slightly naughty) reasons we’re overexcited about Jilly Cooper’s new book

Amanda Vlietstra — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 07:25:48 +0000

If, like us, you’ve grown up with Jilly Cooper’s books then you too are probably wildly excited about the release of her latest book, Mount, set in the world of Flat racing.

Her first novel about the glamorous (and amorous) horsey Rutshire set, Riders, was published in 1985 and was instant hit. More than 30 years and several Rutshire novels later, she’s still hitting the number one spot with every novel she pens. So, what is it about Jilly’s sex ‘n’ horses formula that makes it so successful? Let’s take a look…

1. The nookie

Unlike 50 Shades Of Grey, which somehow managed to turn S&M into a terminally boring multiple-page contract between two insipid dullards, sex in Jilly’s novels is always a glorious romp. From bonks in barns to fumbles in Ferraris, the books are full of lusty suitors and amorous strumpets hopping in and out of bed with each other with gay abandon.

It’s no wonder the fictional country where all this is set is called Rutshire! You may experience a jealous pang or two as your read your way through all the rumpy, and wonder why you’ve never bumped into anyone remotely resembling the devastating Rupert Campbell-Black at your local Young Farmers’ ball. But console yourself with the thought that if there were that many gorgeous, hedonistic, champagne-swigging Lotharios in real life, nobody would ever get any work done!

2. The horses

It’s really hard to find good fiction where horses actually feature as more than a device for the heroine to pose on, or an excuse for her to look sexy in white jods. While the horses in Jilly’s books do that too, they’re also characters in their own right.

There’s Rupert Campbell-Black’s prize-winning stallion Penscombe Pride, who roams his garden and sticks his head in through the window; the shy, grey polo pony Tero who tries her heart out for her owner, Perdita McCleod; and Mrs Wilkinson, the abused filly who’s left for dead and goes on to become a top racehorse, to name but a few! Jilly might not be a rider herself, but she certainly ‘gets’ horses, and the affectionate and entertaining way she describes them will chime a chord with equestrians everywhere. Jilly’s characters share her passion — most of them are way nicer to their horses than they are to the unfortunates who fall in love with them…

3. The characters

They may nearly all be rich, incredibly beautiful and ridiculously talented, but Jilly’s characters are always flawed, likeable and very human. From Perdita, the spoilt schoolgirl in Polo who’s trying to hide her hurt at her stepdad’s lack of interest in her by being a bitch to her mum, to Etta, the sweet widow in Jump! who’s being exploited as a free babysitter by her own grown-up children — we can relate to their problems.

4. The wit

The novels sparkle with humour and Jilly can rarely resist a pun. Many of the best lines go to the arch-seducer himself, Rupert Campbell Black. “Hunting’s like adultery,” he purrs to one conquest. “Endless hanging about, interspersed with frenzied moments of excitement, very expensive and morally indefensible.”

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5. Rupert Campbell-Black

Ahhh, Rupert, the stuff of school girls’ dreams. Allegedly a composite of Camilla Parker Bowles’ ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles, the Earl of Suffolk, ’60s fashion designer Rupert Lycett Green, and the Duke of Beaufort, Jilly’s charismatic anti-hero is the unofficial king of the Rutshire set. An aristocratic Olympic showjumper with “a Greek nose, high cheekbones and long, denim-blue eyes,” nobody can rock a pair of tight breeches like Rupert — and he knows it, rutting his way through the first couple of books like one of his own prize stallions. He starts off as a complete cad, casually breaking hearts and tossing them aside like used tissues, but as Jilly’s books go along, he falls in love and mellows a bit — without losing his sharp wit and love of a pithy one-liner.

Don’t miss our interview with Jilly Cooper in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (8 September 2016)

Admiring men, Henry Cecil and buckets of Pimms: Jilly Cooper reveals her inspirations for latest saucy novel

Hannah Lemieux — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 05:58:47 +0000

Charismatic author Jilly Cooper has revealed her visits to the headquarters of horse racing in Newmarket provided her with the inspiration she needed for her latest book Mount!

The author made a number of trips to both trainers’ yards and studs to research her most recent saucy novel — which follows her famous penned books, Jump! and Riders among others.

“I was lucky to meet so many wonderful people in Newmarket who were unstinting in their help with my book. These included trainer Robert Cowell, who invited me to stay at his lovely yard at Six Mile Bottom,” said Jilly, who is a keen racing follower and supporter of the Retraining of Racehorses charity.

“Another highlight was meeting the wonderfully funny Sir Mark Prescott, who took me on a magical trip around his yard and horses, followed by buckets of the most delicious Pimms.

“Earlier in my research, I visited the yard of the most enchanting man, the late Sir Henry Cecil, who introduced me to the mighty Frankel while he was winning every race. I was helped too by former top jockey Richard Hills, now racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan,” added Jilly.

The 79-year-old former journalist took time to visit Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse, which features in the new book during a “titanic battle” to win the 2000 Guineas.

She was treated to a stallion parade at Dalham Hall Stud, where 2015 Derby victor Golden Horn now stands, which she described as one of her “happiest days”.

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Jilly also admits to “admiring some of the handsomest men on the planet” while visiting the sales ring at Tattersalls.

The famous author will be returning to Newmarket on Saturday 17 September to celebrate the release of Mount! — book signings will take place at the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art (11.30am-12.30pm) and the Rowley Mile racecourse (3.30-4.30pm).

Don’t miss our interview with Jilly Cooper in 8 September issue of Horse & Hound — on sale now.

‘Bonkbuster’ queen Jilly Cooper to swap horses for football

Madeleine Silver — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 06:08:59 +0000

THE queen of the “bonkbuster” Jilly Cooper is to swap horses for football in her next literary feat, Tackle.

The author of the best-selling novels Riders and Polo, and more recently Jump! and Mount! — the latter is released next month (8 September) — has embarked on her latest installment of the Rutshire chronicles, this time focusing on a football team.

“It’s quite an adventure,” said the 79-year-old, who is more used to researching the champagne-filled worlds of racing and polo.

“I have a wonderful local team, Forest Green Rovers, (based in the town of Nailsworth, Gloucestershire) who I’ve made great friends with.

“They have a hostel near here where all the players live and I’m going to try and invade it to speak to them. It may not be possible, but I hope it is,” she added.

“But what is impossible is that there are so many players in a team. Polo was bearable because there were only four, but football is going to be very difficult.”

Despite Mrs Cooper admitting that “since drifting towards football, I’m not keeping up with racing quite enough”, equestrian fans need not lose interest.

Long-standing hero and heart-throb Rupert Campbell-Black, a former Olympic showjumper and now a trainer, will be back — this time getting involved with a football team.

And Safety Car, one of his favourite horses in training who plays football in Mount!, will continue to play in Tackle — as well as going to matches.

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Mrs Cooper’s first big novel Riders, based on the world of showjumping, was published in 1985 and went straight to number one in the bestsellers list. She has sold 12 million copies of her books to date and her last novel, Jump!, sold 125,000 in hardback.

Don’t miss our interview with Jilly Cooper, about her new release Mount!, in the 8 September issue of Horse & Hound magazine

Looking for a summer read? 5 racy reads for horse lovers

Amanda Vlietstra — Sun, 08 May 2016 16:29:21 +0000

Can’t wait for Jilly Cooper’s new book Mount! to hit the shelves? Us neither. Jilly is, of course, the queen of the horsey bonkbuster, but if you’ve read your way through her back catalogue and need another fix, then why not try one of these?

Horse Play by Jo Carnegie

The fifth in Jo Carnegie’s series about life in the Cotswolds village of Churchminster, this is her horsiest novel yet. Twenty-four-year-old jockey Kizzy Milton gets the ride on Nobby – AKA Goldenballs – and dreams of taking him to Cheltenham. But the path to racing glory never runs smooth, with accidents and handsome Olympic dressage riders named Javier coming along to stuff things up for her. In the meantime, the other inhabitants of Churchminster are keeping busy with dramas of their own – and frequently getting naked in the process…

Racy rating: There’s plenty of raunchy content, and it’s of the pants-ripping variety. Jilly would approve.

Horse rating: On the whole, the nags play second fiddle to the humans…

Horse Play by A.D. Ryan

If you’re a fan of 50 Shades Of Grey, but you just feel it was a bit too intellectual and could have done with a horse or two, then this is for you. Madison Landry heads to the family ranch to recover from a broken heart, and begins an affair with hunky cowboy Jensen Davies. But soon she realises she’s falling for him too…

Racy rating: The Amazon blurb says: “Contains coarse language, mature subject matter, and explicit sex scenes. Recommended reading age: 18+.” You’ve been warned. Don’t leave this lying around when your granny comes to visit.

Horse rating: There’s a lovely tasteful picture of a rearing horse on the cover, in front of two naked people. ‘Nuff said.

Stable Mates by Rachel May

Twenty-five-year-old Jess Adams works two jobs to keep her beloved gelding Oliver at swanky Wychwood livery yard, run by the rich, selfish and unscrupulous Shirley Cunningham-Brookbanks. When Jess spots Shirley abusing her bay competition horse Loxley, Jess ends up getting the ride — but for how long? And which of the eligible (and not so eligible) men in the book will win her heart?

Racy rating: Most of the bonking goes on behind the scenes. Boo!

Horse rating: An amusing — and surprisingly realistic — depiction of the types of people you find in a livery yard, from the perfectionist who never lets her horse out of the stable in case he gets kicked/dirty, to the one who’s bought a horse by accident and never turns up to look after him.

Country Affairs by Zara Stoneley

Author Zara Stoneley says her Tippermere series of books (of which this is the second) combine her loves — “horses, dogs, hot men and strong women (and not forgetting champagne and fast cars!)” Horse-loving Lottie Brinkley has hoofed it out of Spain, returning to the Cheshire countryside she grew up in. Looking for flirtatious fun, she finds she has not one, not two, but three men after her — gorgeous eventer Rory Steel, hunky farrier Mick O’Neal and mysterious stranger Tom Strachan. Which to choose? (Or just have ‘em all? Why not!)Racy rating: Stoneley started her career writing erotic fiction, so steer clear of this if you sometimes find Downton Abbey a bit racy. Eventing could definitely do with a few more Rory Steels!Horse rating: Stoneley clearly knows one end of a martingale from another.

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Well Groomed by Fiona Walker

Tash French escapes from a fizzling relationship by heading off to France to visit her eccentric family in her mother’s Loire manor, only to find herself the slightly reluctant owner of a bolshy event horse called Snob. As she tries to get to grips with him, she starts getting a lot of attention from Irish actor Niall and sexy eventer Hugo — but is Hugo after the horse, or her?

Racy rating: It’s more Carry On than 50 Shades — like Jilly Cooper, Fiona Walker can never resist a pun — but there’s nothing wrong with that!

Horse rating: You do have to suspend some – well, a lot – of disbelief to buy into the idea that Tash goes from being a total novice to riding round what sounds like at least a one-star eventing course within the space of one short summer, but hey, it’s fiction, and it’s funny.

Love , by Jilly Cooper? Release date for new equestrian romp revealed

Lucy Elder — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 11:55:15 +0000

Fans of Jilly Cooper will have a new novel to devour this autumn — and it has an equestrian theme.

The Riders author’s latest book Mount! will be released by Bantam Press on 8 September.

Set in the Flat racing world, the novel features the return of the legendary Rupert Campbell-Black.

“Rupert’s ambition is to be champion trainer of the year and for his favourite stallion, Love Rat, to be named leading sire,” read a statement from the publisher.

“But sabotage, skulduggery and bad behaviour — of every conceivable variety — mean that Rupert’s ambitious plans are thwarted at every turn.”

The story takes the reader from Rupert’s Rutshire stables to race meetings in Hong Kong, Melbourne and Dubai.

The cast features both old and new human and equine characters.

“Rupert is raging round the world taking Love Rat’s progeny to compete in the richest races and it’s beginning to endanger his marriage,” said the publisher.

“Lots of human nookie goes on in the book, but I was almost more fascinated by the equine nookie.

“One stallion only fancies greys so a white sheet has to be put over any dark mares.”

The original title for the new release was Leading Sire, but publishers thought this would be an unfamiliar term for many of Jilly’s readers, so the author was persuaded to go with Mount! instead.

The final cover is yet to be revealed.

The Gloucestershire-based author has sold more than 12 million copies of her books.

She is famed for her Rutshire Chronicles series, which include Polo and the international bestseller Riders.

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The latter was re-released last year to mark the book’s 30th anniversary — but featured a toned down cover in a controversial redesign, which showed the male hand resting on the rider’s hip rather than her bottom (news, 11 June 2015).

This was changed back following an outcry (news, 29 October 2015).

Jilly’s last novel Jump! followed the story of Etta Bancroft, who nurses a mutilated filly back to health and into training. It was published in 2010.

5 great horsey novels (that will have you cancelling all your social engagements)

Amanda Vlietstra — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 17:35:55 +0000

There are some horsey books so gripping, you'll be tempted to cancel all other weekend plans you had to carry on reading

There are lots of fantastic horsey books for kids — the Ruby Ferguson Jill series, Black Beauty, The Horse And His Boy by CS Lewis — to name but a few. But what about us grown-ups? Are there any good horsey reads out there for a slightly older audience? Why, yes there are. Check these out for starters…

1. Riders by Jilly Cooper

After being bullied at school by the rich and handsome but cruel Rupert Campbell-Black, horse-whispering gypsy hero Jake Lovell is determined to thrash his bitter rival where it really counts — in the showjumping ring. Who will eventually come out on top in the final showdown at the Los Angeles Olympics? Written in the 1970s, Jilly pretty much invented the bonkbuster with this novel, her first about the rutting and riding Rutshire set, and doesn’t beat about the, erm, bush about it. Sex – check. Glamorous people behaving badly – check. Humour – check. Horses – check. What’s not to love? And the book has recently hit the headlines for its new, toned down front cover (see above, right)…

2. French Relations/Well Groomed by Fiona Walker

A cut above your average chicklit writer, Fiona Walker writes romances, but she does it so entertainingly. French Relations and its sequel Well Groomed follow the — admittedly somewhat unlikely — fortunes of Tash, a tall, clumsy 26-year old photographer with an unsuitable boyfriend who goes to visit her folks in France, only to find her mum has bought her a world-class event horse. Well, it could happen to anyone. Can Tash rise to the challenge of riding this horse to eventing victory, while bagging herself a totally hot new man in the process? No spoilers now!

3. The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans

The debut novel from this English author, The Horse Whisperer went on to become an international best-seller, spawning a film starring Robert Redford and Scarlett Johanssen. Teenage Grace is severely injured in a riding accident that also leaves her horse Pilgrim so traumatised that it seems putting him down may be the kindest option. Her mother, Annie, ropes in a Montana horse whisperer, Tom, to help them, and as Pilgrim begins to recover, so does her daughter — but it comes at a price. Make sure you’ve got a box of tissues to hand as this is a real weepie.

Continued below…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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From loose horses, Johnny Depp's saddle slipping and a serious booting, films and TV shows have provided us with som

4. Dead Cert by Dick Francis

An ex-jockey himself, all the late Dick Francis’s thrillers are set in the glamorous but often murky world of racing. Amateur jockey Alan York’s best friend Bill’s horse is a ‘dead cert’ to win but falls in the race, killing Bill. Discovering a coil of wire at the finish, Alan suspects sabotage. But who would kill Bill — and why? Once described as ‘chicklit for men,’ Francis had a gift for crafting a great page-turner, helped by his in-depth knowledge of the racing industry. One for the Christmas stocking.

5. Flambards by KM Peyton

Sent to live with her hunting-obsessed uncle and male cousins after the death of her parents, heiress Christina Flambard quickly becomes obsessed with hunting herself — riding side-saddle, as this book was set at the turn of the 20th century. One of her cousins is brutish and handsome; the other gentle and scared of horses after a hunting accident. With the First World War threatening any chance of lasting happiness, which cousin will Christina fall for? Glossing over the fact that falling in love with your cousins is a bit odd, this is the first in a series of classic books about love, loss and horses that can’t fail to strike a chord with anyone with a passing interest in any of those things.

Horse from Jilly Cooper novel immortalised in a painting

Amy Mathieson — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:21:41 +0000

A character from a Jilly Cooper story has been immortalised in a painting. But it’s not a heroine or dashing rogue, it’s a horse — Mrs Wilkinson, the star of Jilly’s most recent novel, Jump!

The painting by Michelle McCullogh depicts the diminutive grey who, after a traumatic start to life, goes on to win the Grand National.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Jilly was so thrilled when she saw the work on display in London last month that she bought it for herself.

Michelle first met the author when Jilly admired her painting Remembering His Last Race.

“Jilly wrote to me out of the blue to say how much she loved this painting and how much it reminded her of the book she was writing at the time,” said Michelle.

“She kindly sent me a copy of Jump! and it was the best thing I have ever read.

“I was so absorbed every time I picked it up and I had such a clear image of the star of the story, Mrs Wilkinson — a small grey filly with one eye.

“As I came near to finishing the book I knew Mrs Wilkinson had to be featured in my exhibition.”

“It is wonderful,” Jilly told H&H. “I’m thrilled with it; she’s really captured Mrs Wilkinson.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (31 January 2013)

Jilly Cooper researching new novel about Flat racing

Amy Mathieson — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:11:29 +0000

Jilly Cooper has had a “heavenly” time this summer researching her new novel – set in the world of Flat racing.

And small wonder. “I’ve been to the Guineas, the Derby, to Ascot and I’m off to Goodwood this week. I’ve met Sir Henry Cecil and even Frankel,” Jilly told H&H.

“I don’t think the latter liked me very much, though, as he tried to nip me.”

Jilly’s favourite rascal-in-jods Rupert Campbell-Black once again stars in the new book – working title Leading Sire – with his stallion Love Rat and the horse’s offspring Master Quickly.

Jilly’s last novel Jump! focused on the National Hunt world, but the author admits she’s now “fallen in love” with the Flat.

“I never understood why people liked sprints, but now I do,” she said. “I’m fascinated by the breeding side and the sense of dynasty.

“And, of course, the men are so charming and dress so beautifully.”

Jilly has taken a share in an unraced two-year-old filly called Jillywinks, trained by Scott Dixon as part of a ladies-only syndicate.

“She is a beautiful filly. I watched her on the gallops and she moves effortlessly.”

A publication date for the novel has not been set.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (3 August 2012)

Vote for equine heart-throbs in the RoR Heart Awards

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:31:19 +0000

Is your ex-racehorse the equine version of Rupert Campbell-Black?

His creator Jilly Cooper, famed for writing about racy men, will be judging a different type of heart-throb this summer — horses entered in the Retraining of Racehorses’ (RoR) inaugural Heart Awards.

The four awards include biggest heart-throb (for the best-looking horse), heart-stopper (for the one who’s overcome the most adversity), healthy heart (the best all-rounder) and biggest heart (best temperament).

“These awards are a great opportunity to hear some real life heart-warming stories, and to reward the passion and commitment that owners have,” said Jilly.

The RoR’s Di Arbuthnot added: “The awards are a fun way to recognise the special bond and achievements of some of the thousands of ex-racehorses rehomed and retrained each year.”

Owners interested in entering their ex-racer should visit the RoR website, upload their photos and explain why their horse should win.

A shortlist will be compiled and members of the public will have the chance to vote online for their favourites.

For more information, visit www.ror.org.uk.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (26 May, 2011)

Hunts tend plants for bumper plant sale

Horse & Hound — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:09:38 +0000

Eight local hunts have provided the 25,000 plants that will be sold at Eyford House Plant Sale to raise money for the Countryside Alliance and ABF The Soldiers Charity.

And novelist Jilly Cooper will guest of honour at the event in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire on 22 May.

All the plants on sale have been tended by member of the Cotswold, North Cotswold, Heythrop, Old Berks, Beaufort, Warwickshire, Berkeley and VWH hunts.

Charlotte Heber Percy, whose family lives at Eyford House, said: “The plant sale is something we are all passionate about: everyone on the committee supports country sports and the rural way of life. We also support our brave armed forces, so this plant sale is the ideal way for us to boost both causes while providing a fun day out.”

Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, chief executive of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity hopes the event will be a success.

“We rely on people digging deep and we hope they will here on 22 May so we are able continue our work and live up to our motto, For Soldiers for Life.”

H&H racing editor meets Jilly Cooper at Cheltenham Festival

Catherine Austen — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:25:56 +0000

Forget the racing. Something much more exciting happened to me today — I met Jilly Cooper. From the time my mother caught me reading Riders under the bedclothes aged 12 to the fact that, before last year, everything I knew about polo came from Polo, she’s been my heroine. She’s researching her next book, set in the racing world, and when she heard I was the racing editor at H&H, she said: “We must meet…” How cool?

Like me, she had backed Voy Por Ustedes to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase, but neither of us — or the other 55,000 people here at Cheltenham — could believe how amazingly easy Master Minded found it, hardly breaking sweat on his way to victory. He’s not really five until next month — it will be very interesting to see if he can keep this up and become the Golden Miller of our time. Let’s hope so.

Even though it’s raining quite hard, my feet are soaked and my fur hat looks as though the terrier’s been at it, this is an incredible day. Inglis Drever must have a claim to be the best-loved jumps horse in training, and the cheer he got as he came into the winner’s enclosure after his third World Hurdle win was truly affectionate.

Thinking of cheering, despite all the champions, no one gets a bigger roar than McCoy, whatever he wins. The crowd love him, despite his skeletal grimace when it’s going wrong. In fact, they love him for it — the pain he feels from not winning just proves how much he cares. They trust him — he’s always throwing every cell into it, and know how much he hates to let them down.

It’s 5pm, it’s getting dark, and the bumper, the last race of the day, is still 50min away. How are we going to tell who wins? Perhaps the jocks should wear those miners’ lamps on their helmets.

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‘New romances and shocking secrets’ to be revealed as Rivals season three confirmed

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Jilly Cooper among equestrians named in The King’s new year honours

Prime minister Rishi Sunak said: “The New Year Honours List recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion.

“To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all.”

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Hunt for Rupert Campbell-Black concludes! Cast confirmed for Jilly Cooper’s Rivals

Danny Dyer stars as the “honourable, loyal and lovable” self-made electronics millionaire Freddie Jones, whose wife Valerie is played by Lisa McGrillis (Maternal).

Claire Rushbrook (Sherwood) plays Lady Monica Baddingham, Luke Pasqualino (Skins) the charming Basil “Bas” Baddingham, Tony’s younger brother and the owner of Cotchester’s Bar Sinister.

Emily Atack takes the role of Sarah Stratton, the new wife to MP Paul Stratton, played by Rufus Jones (W1A).

A release date has not yet been announced.

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‘Let the hunt for Rupert Campbell-Black commence!’ Disney+ to bring iconic Jilly Cooper novel to life

Rupert Campbell-Black, retired from his Olympic showjumping career and now Tory minister for sport, is back as the story dives into the cut-throat world of independent television in the 1980s, “where the shoulder pads are big and ambitions even bigger”.

“As tensions rise and rivalries deepen, there are spilled secrets, forged alliances, and snatched liaisons that draw wives, lovers, colleagues, friends and families into their battle,” bills the Disney+ announcement.

Jilly, who is an executive producer on the new series, said she is “so, so excited”.

“Throughout my childhood, my favourite word was ‘Disney’, and by a miraculous coincidence, greater-than-ever Disney are joining forces with an utterly brilliant drama company, Happy Prince, to turn my novel into a TV series,” she said.

“I know they will bring the boardroom battles and love triangles of my characters to life – particularly those of my devastatingly handsome hero. I cannot wait to see who will be stepping into his shoes…let the hunt for our Rupert Campbell-Black commence!”

The series will be written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins with Olivier Award-winner Laura Wade, whose credits include The Riot Club.

“I have been wooing Jilly Cooper since I first started working in television,” said Mr Treadwell-Collins.

“Jilly’s iconic novels’ razor-sharp observations on class, sex, love and what it means to be British resonate even more today than when Jilly wrote them in the 1980s.

“I’m so excited to bring Rivals to the screen, entertain fans of the beloved Cooperverse and introduce a whole new generation to the sweeping love stories, social satire and biting wit of Rutshire.”

BAFTA-nominated Elliot Hegarty, whose credits include Ted Lasso, Cheaters and Trying, is named as lead director, and Eliza Mellor, whose CV features The Midwich Cuckoos, Behind Her Eyes and Poldark, serves as series producer.

The executive producers are Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Alexander Lamb for Happy Prince, which is part of ITV Studios, Felicity Blunt, Laura Wade, Jilly Cooper and director of scripted content for Disney+ EMEA, Lee Mason.

Mr Mason said that the combination of Jilly Cooper and Disney+ is “delightfully unexpected”.

“We were thrilled when Dominic brought us these iconic books, and we leapt at the chance to bring them to life. We can’t wait to welcome Rupert Campbell-Black and the residents of Rutshire to the platform,” he said.