The Eighty-Dollar Champion

Snowman, the Horse That Inspired a Nation

By: Elizabeth Letts

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Number one New York Times best seller

November 1958: the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Into the rarefied atmosphere of wealth and tradition comes the most unlikely of horses - a drab white former plow horse named Snowman - and his rider, Harry de Leyer. They were the longest of all longshots - and their win was the stuff of legend.

Harry de Leyer first saw the horse he would name Snowman on a bleak winter afternoon between the slats of a rickety truck bound for the slaughterhouse. He recognized the spark in the eye of the beaten-up horse and bought him for 80 dollars. On Harry’s modest farm on Long Island, the horse thrived. But the recent Dutch immigrant and his growing family needed money, and Harry was always on the lookout for the perfect thoroughbred to train for the show-jumping circuit - so he reluctantly sold Snowman to a farm a few miles down the road.

But Snowman had other ideas about what Harry needed. When he turned up back at Harry’s barn, dragging an old tire and a broken fence board, Harry knew that he had misjudged the horse. And so he set about teaching this shaggy, easygoing horse how to fly. One show at a time, against extraordinary odds and some of the most expensive thoroughbreds alive, the pair climbed to the very top of the sport of show jumping.

Here is the dramatic and inspiring rise to stardom of an unlikely duo, based on the insight and recollections of “the Flying Dutchman” himself. Their story captured the heart of Cold War-era America - a story of unstoppable hope, inconceivable dreams, and the chance to have it all. Elizabeth Letts’s message is simple: Never give up, even when the obstacles seem sky-high. There is something extraordinary in all of us.

©2011 Elizabeth Letts (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“This is a wonderful book - joyous, heartfelt, and an eloquent reminder that hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Most of all, it’s a moving testament to the incredible things that can grow from the bond between animals and humans. If you love a great animal tale, you’ll love this book!” (Gwen Cooper, author of Homer’s Odyssey)

“The moving story of an indomitable immigrant farmer, his equally spirited horse, and their against-the-odds journey all the way to the winner’s circle, The Eighty-Dollar Champion fascinates from the first page to the last. Elizabeth Letts has uncovered a forgotten slice of American history and brought it to magical life.” (Karen Abbott, author of American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee)

“There is something magical about stories in which humans and animals team up to combine their courage, intelligence, determination, physical prowess, and instincts to scale the heights, touch our hearts deeply, and inspire us in the most profound ways. Those are the best stories there are, I think, and The Eighty-Dollar Champion joins their ranks. There is a lot of wonderful emotion in this book, and it left me awestruck once more at the wondrous things animals and people can do when they join together to make some great and beautiful noise in the world.” (Jon Katz, author of Meet the Dogs of Bedlam Farm)

Another great narrator

I’m not a horse person and yet the details in this book were fascinating to me. For the reader who finds them too detailed, increase the reading speed to get through to the story which is truly inspirational. As a warning, toward the end of the book there is a tragedy that may be too much for a young child.
Snowman lives to a ripe old age, beloved by the De Layer family.
The story is well told. Letts is a masterful biographer, her research turned into wonderful novels - except better because they’re true.


On another note, I’m a reader who loves to learn more about the background details of a true story. Doing a bit of research led me to some disconcerting info.
The end of horse slaughterhouses in America is not a triumph. The excess horses that cannot find homes still go to slaughterhouses. They are shipped, in horrifying conditions , to other countries where horse carcasses are still a commercial enterprise. Those horses spend their last days in terror. In an good hearted attempt to reduce cruelty to horses, the result has been to have actually increased it. Very sad.

One of best true stories I ever listened to.

I will probably re-listen to this book again and again!!!! Thanks for flying Snowman!

wonderful horse horse story!

I loved this story of Harry and his beloved Snowman. Definitely a throw back to horse stories I reads a child- but this one is true :) yes- the writing is a bit repetitive- maybe for effect for the non equestrians who may be reading? but- overall a very good book- and the end and afterward were especially touching. 👌

Inspiration at it's Best!

To the author, Thank you for putting this story, these historical moments, in writing!!
Everyone, horseman or not, should read this book.

Animals deserve to be cared for

Outstanding! Beautiful story yet showing both sides of the horse show world. For most a horse is only good as long as they are winning

Such an Inspiration ❤️

The partnership & bond btwn human & horse can't be broken. Certain horses have a way of holding their person's heart. The bond btwn Harry & Snowy reminds me of my ❤️ horse. I spent 31yrs w him & I still miss him everyday.

Excellent!

Best horse story I’ve read/heard. Very well written, interesting, positive, encouraging, absolutely wonderful. The writer is obviously very knowledgeable about the many subjects discussed, especially the equine field and show jumping. The story line draws you in, and even with dramatic turns, maintains a peaceful content. Family centered. My 9 year old daughter loves the story, and the horse.

Beautiful story and excellent narration

This was a beautiful story that kept you rooting for Harry and the Snowman throughout. The narration was also wonderful and kept you enthralled.

Excellent story of a remarkable horse and the man who saved him

This is a story for horse crazy teenage girls, foxhunters, show jumpers, backyard horse owners, people who grew up in the 50’s and 60’s, and anyone who has ever rooted for the underdog in a sports story. It is well-researched and the horse details are spot on. To paraphrase the author, there’s nothing worse than a horse story when it’s obvious the writer knew nothing about horses. This woman knows horses, shows, foxhunting and teenage girls. The narrator does a good job also. All in all, this is a satisfying, feel good story that is well worth a credit.

Excellent light reading.

The book is inspiring. 90% of it sticks to the main story. But there were a few boring non essential segues. I asked myself if it was done only to elongate the length of the book. But I just increase the speed of the audible reader and was able to get through those faster. I am so glad that I stuck with the book. It ends on a very good note with filling in many of the blanks. Well done. I recommend it for light reading. It doesn’t require a lot of concentration. It is light entertainment. It was perfect for what I needed at this time