Book: The Eighty Dollar Champion - Snowman, The Horse That Inspired A Nation

In 1956 a gray horse, later named Snowman, was purchased off the back end of a truck bound for the slaughterhouse.

The book, "The Eighty Dollar Champion" (sub-titled "Snowman, The Horse That Inspired A Nation") chronicles Snowman's story. After the flea-bitten gray was acquired for eighty dollars and saved from slaughter, he was given a new chance at life as a lesson horse at an all-girls school.

However, when a deeply hidden, exceptional talent for jumping was discovered in the gentle-hearted horse he ultimately carried himself and the dreams of his new owner, Dutch immigrant Harry de Leyer, to the pinnacles of American show-jumping success.

Below: The book: "The Eight Dollar Champion" by Elizabeth Letts.

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About "The Eighty Dollar Champion"

Harry de Leyer was an immigrant from Holland whose show jumping dreams had been dashed by the Nazi occupation of his homeland during World War II. Snowman was a down-and-out workhorse on his way, quite literally, to the slaughterhouse.

As individuals, the Dutch immigrant and former workhorse were incredibly unlikely to make a dent in the world of American show jumping. Together, they were the longest of long shots.

Yet, after that fateful purchase on a snowy winter day when Harry became Snowman's new owner, they reached the pinnacle of American show jumping success. Harry de Leyer became lovingly famous as the Flying Dutchman. Snowman, the former workhorse purchased with collar marks rubbed into his hair from working in harness, became endeared to America as his quiet, gentle-hearted wings.

Here at CowboyWay.com we really enjoyed reading this book. You can read our review of it here: Review: The Eighty Dollar Champion - Snowman, The Horse That Inspired A Nation <<< This link will open in a new window.