Advent Calendar – The next famous horse we bring to the curtain for you is the jumper Snowman. The “Cinderella story” of the mold has already inspired many people in the 50s, during his lifetime. Several books have been written about his life and a documentary film was made in 2015.
Those: Facebook/ Harry and snowman
The story of Snowman together began in 1956 when riding instructor and stable owner Harry de Leyer was looking for cheap horses for his riding school at an auction in Pennsylvania (USA). A white horse destined for slaughter caught his eye due to its easy-going and even-tempered disposition. The riding instructor was able to purchase the horse, born in 1948, for just $80. Because of the color of his white coat, Harry’s children named the new horse “Snowman”.
In 1957 the gray then changed hands to a neighbor who was looking for a relaxed and calm horse for his son. But Snowman always managed to escape by jumping over the fence posts and galloping back to the de Leyers’ farm. Harry bought the horse back from his neighbor and started training it as a jumper.
Harry & Snowman were able to celebrate their first big successes in 1958 and 1959. In the same two years the gray was awarded “Horse of the Year” by the American Horse Shows Association. The horse quickly became a true hero of the public thanks to his “Cinderella story”. The two were able to assert themselves several times against expensive show-jumpers, received invitations to TV shows and had their own fan club.
Those: Facebook/ Harry and snowman
He declined all offers to sell Harry received for Snowman, even though he was offered up to €35,000 for the gray horse. In 1962 it became clear that his age and previous history (due to abrasions in the shoulder area it is assumed that Snowman was previously used as a draft and pack horse) increasingly concerned the exceptional horse and thus the 80 dollars” bids a sports farewell. He received the bread of grace on Harry de Leyer’s farm and died of kidney failure in 1974 at the age of about 26.
In 1992, Snowman was inducted into the United States Show Jumping Hall of Fame, where famous US jumpers, such as Olympic champions Conrad Homfeld and well-known horses, such as the Trakehner Abdullah stallion, are honoured.
Books and movies
Two books about Snowman were published as early as the 1950s. In 2011, the book The Eighty Dollar Champion was published. Snowman, the horse that inspired a nation, written by Elizabeth Letts. In 2015, a documentary entitled “Harry & Snowman” followed which, partly with original pictures and videos, tells the story of the duo.
Those: Youtube/ FilmRise Releasing
This text was written by EQUESTRIAN WORLDWIDE – EQWO.net. Copying of text and graphic material is not permitted.
