Why am I passionate about this?

I have always loved horses and riding. My dream was to become a showjumper but, unfortunately, my opportunities in London were limited and although I rode a lot in Australia, my jumping was limited to the odd log in the bush. I’m an avid reader and particularly enjoy horse books written for adults, which is why I wrote a book for horse lovers. I have recommended books that gave me pleasure and which I am sure other horse lovers will enjoy.


I wrote

Winston - A Horse's Tale

By Rita Lee Chapman ,

Book cover of Winston - A Horse's Tale

What is my book about?

One for horse lovers from teenagers upwards!  Winston is a good-looking palomino horse whose life involves several different owners and…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Jump for Joy

Rita Lee Chapman Why I love this book

Jump for Joy was written by my favourite showjumper when I was growing up in London, Pat Smythe. One of the first two women to compete in the Olympics, Pat was a household name in England in the 1950s and 1960s and was awarded an OBE. Jump for Joy is one of several books she authored, and tells stories about some of her most famous horses, including Prince Hal and Tosca. I was thrilled to own this book in my teenage years. 

By Pat Smythe ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Jump for Joy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of High, Wide and Handsome: A Pictorial History of Australian Show-Ring Jumping 1900-1950

Rita Lee Chapman Why I love this book

High, Wide, and Handsome is a non-fiction, pictorial history of Australian Showjumping from 1900-1950. These black and white photos depict the very different riding styles of showjumpers during these earlier years. Riding in long stirrups and even side-saddle, these fearless riders tackled enormous jumps on their courageous horses, up to nearly eight feet in height. Other photos show them jumping three or four abreast, the Section Fours, the riders sometimes going so far as to colour-co-ordinate their horses.

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Book cover of All They Need to Know

All They Need to Know by Eileen Goudge,

A runaway finds sisterhood, love, and danger in a mountain town.

On the run from her abusive husband, Kyra Smith hits the road. Destination unknown. With a dog she rescued in tow, she lands in the peaceful California mountain town of Gold Creek and is immediately befriended by an openhearted…

Book cover of Horses of the Fire

Rita Lee Chapman Why I love this book

Teenagers will love The Outback Riders series by Leanne Owens. An Australian author, Leanne is an English/History teacher who also writes freelance for horse magazines. Her experience with horses growing up in the outback is combined with stories about teenagers in her very popular Outback Riders series. She has also written the Dimity Horse Mysteries for readers who like mysteries, crime, romance, and horses. 

By Leanne Owens ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Horses of the Fire as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The outback is burning and the Sunhaven teens risk everything to try and stop the arsonist. Between the fires, the mysterious white dog that appears out of nowhere, Amy's childhood friend who resembles the rock star adored by Lani, and organising a two hundred kilometre Longreach to Winton fund-raising ride, their holidays are jam-packed with excitement and discovery.

The teens of Sunhaven in outback Queensland are a year older and are home for the school holidays to face a wild ride of adventures. The outback has been burning and they are determined to find the arsonist, but the mystery becomes…


Book cover of Free Rein: The Autobiography of an Olympic Heroine

Rita Lee Chapman Why I love this book

Free Rein is the autobiography of two-time Australian Olympic champion, Gill Rolton, who famously remounted at the Atlanta Olympics with a broken collarbone to finish the team event. Gillian was a late starter to eventing at the age of twenty-one but went on to compete for thirty years. This autobiography reveals the injuries to herself and her horses which meant missing the LA and Seoul Olympics, the success she achieved with her wonderful horse, Peppermint Grove and her inclusion in the Australia Sporting Hall of Fame.

By Gillian Rolton ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Free Rein as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?


the autobiography of two-time Olympic gold medallist equestrian Gillian Rolton. Gill Rolton is one of Australiaᱠmost accomplished riders. Her riding career has spanned over 30 years and includes Olympic Games, World Championships and internationals. Even more impressive when you find out Gill started eventing and showjumping at the relatively late age of 21. Free Rein follows Gill from her days as a horse-mad, music-loving Adelaide surfie chick to her inclusion in the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame. She reveals how injury to horse and rider meant she missed out on the LA Olympics and also on Seoul. After the incredible…


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Book cover of Scapegoat: A Flight Crew's Journey from Heroes to Villains to Redemption

Scapegoat: A Flight Crew's Journey from Heroes to Villains to Redemption by Emilio Corsetti III,

This edition includes a new afterword offering fresh perspectives for today's reader.

On April 4, 1979, a Boeing 727 with 82 passengers and a crew of 7 rolled over and plummeted from an altitude of 39,000 feet to within seconds of crashing were it not for the crew's actions to…

Book cover of Come to Grief

Rita Lee Chapman Why I love this book

Dick Francis combines the wonderful world of horses with crime mystery. Dick Francis wrote many books and later combined with his son, Felix, who continued the dynasty after his father’s death. This is exciting and factual fiction. In Come to Grief, Sid Halley, an ex-champion jockey turned investigator, uncovers an obnoxious crime committed by a close friend, whom he had held in high regard. 

By Dick Francis ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Come to Grief as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This is Francis writing at his very best' Evening Standard

Sid Halley, the ex-champion jockey turned investigator who appears in Odds Against and Whip Hand, is back. In Come to Grief he faces new dangers, new deeply demanding decisions.

Sid has uncovered an obnoxious crime committed by a friend whom he - and everyone else - has held in deep affection. On the morning set for the opening of the friend's trial, at which sid is due to be called as a witness, other people's miseries explode and send him spinning into days of hard rational detection and heart-searching torment.…


Explore my book 😀

Winston - A Horse's Tale

By Rita Lee Chapman ,

Book cover of Winston - A Horse's Tale

What is my book about?

One for horse lovers from teenagers upwards!  Winston is a good-looking palomino horse whose life involves several different owners and many adventures. As you read his story, told by Winston himself, you will appreciate horse ownership from the horse’s point of view. Born on a country property in Australia, Winston tells of his breaking-in and education and the different people he encounters – good, bad, and ignorant. As well as his own story, Winston includes the experiences of other horses he meets along life’s way.  

It is an eventful life – the story of one Australian horse out of thousands, but one that you will remember.

Book cover of Jump for Joy
Book cover of High, Wide and Handsome: A Pictorial History of Australian Show-Ring Jumping 1900-1950
Book cover of Horses of the Fire

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