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The Eighty-Dollar Champion: A Man, a Horse, and an Unstoppable Dream
Adapted from the #1 New York Times bestselling adult novel, this inspiring true story of a man and horse duo who rose to the top of the competitive equestrian world is one of unstoppable hope, inconceivable dreams, and the chance to have it all, perfect for animal lovers and history buffs alike.
On a bleak winter afternoon, Harry de Leyer first saw the horse he would name Snowman between the slats of a rickety truck bound for the slaughterhouse. Noting a spark in the horse's eye, the Dutch immigrant bought the beaten-up animal for only eighty dollars and took him to the family's modest farm on Long Island.
Though Snowman thrived in his new home, Harry needed money. Reluctantly, he sold Snowman to another farm a few miles down the road. But the shaggy horse had other ideas.
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. Snowman then began his extraordinary path to stardom as Harry trained him to show jump, taking Snowman all the way to the very top of the sport.
This dramatic and inspiring rise to stardom of an unlikely duo is based on the insight and recollections of the Flying Dutchman himself. Snowman and Harry's 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.
On a bleak winter afternoon, Harry de Leyer first saw the horse he would name Snowman between the slats of a rickety truck bound for the slaughterhouse. Noting a spark in the horse's eye, the Dutch immigrant bought the beaten-up animal for only eighty dollars and took him to the family's modest farm on Long Island.
Though Snowman thrived in his new home, Harry needed money. Reluctantly, he sold Snowman to another farm a few miles down the road. But the shaggy horse had other ideas.
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. Snowman then began his extraordinary path to stardom as Harry trained him to show jump, taking Snowman all the way to the very top of the sport.
This dramatic and inspiring rise to stardom of an unlikely duo is based on the insight and recollections of the Flying Dutchman himself. Snowman and Harry's 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.
- GenresAnimalsHorsesNonfiction
272 pages, Unknown Binding
First published November 10, 2020
12 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Letts
14 books1,108 followersElizabeth Letts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of six novels and three works of narrative nonfiction.,including The Ride of Her Life and Finding Dorothy. Her new novel, Fallen for France, is out August 26, 2026.
Her books have been translated into multiple languages and been frequent selections for One Book, One Community programs at libraries and organizations across the country.
Her work has been honored with the PEN Award, the Middle East Book Prize, and the Africana Book Award, among others. She is a graduate of Yale College as well as the Yale School of Nursing, and divides her time between Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Northern Michigan.
Her books have been translated into multiple languages and been frequent selections for One Book, One Community programs at libraries and organizations across the country.
Her work has been honored with the PEN Award, the Middle East Book Prize, and the Africana Book Award, among others. She is a graduate of Yale College as well as the Yale School of Nursing, and divides her time between Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Northern Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 11, 2020
Have you met Snowman, the Cinderella Horse? If you missed this title by Elizabeth Letts in Adult Nonfiction the first time around, here is another chance to get to know this beloved figure in the equestrian world. Henry de Leyer was a post WWII immigrant to the US and survivor of the German occupation of Holland. He and his wife Joanna became Snowman's owners for the sum of $80, rescuing him from the dog food factory. Their children gave the new horse his name and the bond between horse and family was forged. I am a soft touch for a good horse story and was so charmed by the original, Adult release of this story that I jumped (pun intended) at the chance to preview the Children's version. Includes photos of Snowman and family as well as interviews with Henry de Leyer and Elizabeth Letts. Don't miss out on this marvelous piece of American history.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2020
There is nothing I like better than an uplifting underdog story and this underhorse story was a pleasure to read - especially as it is a TRUE story! In this time of soaring egos, a disdain for others and a scorn for real integrity, this is a lovely tale of the quiet, humble and hard-working immigrant whose act of kindness rewarded him and his family - AND the horse he rescued. This is a true Cinderella tale
Harry De Leyer and his wife Johanna came to the US from Holland following WWII with almost nothing in their pockets. His hard work and ability brought him to a job as a riding teacher at an exclusive girls school on Long Island. Needing a gentle lesson horse, Harry set out one winter day to attend a horse sale but arrived too late, just as the "kill buyer" was loading the rejects. One of the horses, a big undernourished grey, caught Harry's eye and on an instinct, he paid all he had, $80.00 for the horse. It was 1956 and Harry had no idea the bargain he had just made.
Snowman, under Harry's care, prospered and became just the lesson horse he needed - gentle, patient and loving. The girls at the school loved him as did Harry and his whole family. But no one suspected the amazing ability Snowman's gentle nature hid. That spring, reluctantly, Harry sold Snowman to a neighbor needing a gentle horse for his young son. Snowman had other ideas. Again and again, he jumped increasingly high and challenging fences to return home to Harry. Snowman knew where he belonged and it was with the De Leyers! It was then that Harry began to discover just how skilled a jumper Snowman was and to train and enter him in horse jumping shows around the state.
Snowman had been a plow horse and even in his coddled days with Harry, he never looked like the highly bred, highly strung horses at the top of the equestrian meets. At the beginning, most people laughed at Harry and Snowman as they began competition. Steady and unflappable, Snowman began to win every competition, cheerfully jumping easily over every obstacle before him. Eventually he went on to win two Triple Crowns in a row - something that had never been done before.
Harry and Snowman became celebrities and throughout it all, remained humble and little changed by fame. Snowman continued to be a lesson horse and Harry to resist all offers to buy him.
This is a very successful abridgment of Letts' adult book and it was a perfect joy to read. You don't have to be a horseman or to have had experience with the sport of jumping. Letts gives us a wonderful peek at that world, with just enough of the experience and tension of the various competitions to raise suspense and heighten the pace. But she also makes readers feel as if they know Harry and Snowman and they become vivid and hear- felt characters we deeply care for. And in this dark time, it is a welcome reminder that humility and hard work have rewards, that kindness makes a difference and that the underestimated can achieve it all. I teared up several times especially with the book's conclusion.
"Never give up, even when the obstacles seem sky-high. There is something extraordinary in all of us."
Back matter includes an interview with Harry De Leyer and a conversation with the author as well as extensive source notes. Give this to kids wanting an uplifting story, an engaging nonfiction or a very unusual horse story.
Harry De Leyer and his wife Johanna came to the US from Holland following WWII with almost nothing in their pockets. His hard work and ability brought him to a job as a riding teacher at an exclusive girls school on Long Island. Needing a gentle lesson horse, Harry set out one winter day to attend a horse sale but arrived too late, just as the "kill buyer" was loading the rejects. One of the horses, a big undernourished grey, caught Harry's eye and on an instinct, he paid all he had, $80.00 for the horse. It was 1956 and Harry had no idea the bargain he had just made.
Snowman, under Harry's care, prospered and became just the lesson horse he needed - gentle, patient and loving. The girls at the school loved him as did Harry and his whole family. But no one suspected the amazing ability Snowman's gentle nature hid. That spring, reluctantly, Harry sold Snowman to a neighbor needing a gentle horse for his young son. Snowman had other ideas. Again and again, he jumped increasingly high and challenging fences to return home to Harry. Snowman knew where he belonged and it was with the De Leyers! It was then that Harry began to discover just how skilled a jumper Snowman was and to train and enter him in horse jumping shows around the state.
Snowman had been a plow horse and even in his coddled days with Harry, he never looked like the highly bred, highly strung horses at the top of the equestrian meets. At the beginning, most people laughed at Harry and Snowman as they began competition. Steady and unflappable, Snowman began to win every competition, cheerfully jumping easily over every obstacle before him. Eventually he went on to win two Triple Crowns in a row - something that had never been done before.
Harry and Snowman became celebrities and throughout it all, remained humble and little changed by fame. Snowman continued to be a lesson horse and Harry to resist all offers to buy him.
This is a very successful abridgment of Letts' adult book and it was a perfect joy to read. You don't have to be a horseman or to have had experience with the sport of jumping. Letts gives us a wonderful peek at that world, with just enough of the experience and tension of the various competitions to raise suspense and heighten the pace. But she also makes readers feel as if they know Harry and Snowman and they become vivid and hear- felt characters we deeply care for. And in this dark time, it is a welcome reminder that humility and hard work have rewards, that kindness makes a difference and that the underestimated can achieve it all. I teared up several times especially with the book's conclusion.
"Never give up, even when the obstacles seem sky-high. There is something extraordinary in all of us."
Back matter includes an interview with Harry De Leyer and a conversation with the author as well as extensive source notes. Give this to kids wanting an uplifting story, an engaging nonfiction or a very unusual horse story.
March 24, 2023
It was good! I felt like it was done in a blink of an eye! It didn’t need to be long, it was the perfect length! Please read this if you like horses and history!
March 11, 2025
Did this as a read-aloud with my middle school aged kids and we loved it. It’s not just a horse story, it’s basically a history book wrapped in the story of this amazing horse and rider duo who captured the hearts of Americans in the 50s and 60s. The time period was one full of change in industry, recreation, transportation, farming, television, immigrants… it was neat to see the world and national events happening to the lense of how they impacted such a specific “world” - the one of show jumping horses and riders and owners who were “everyday joes”. There were a few parts of the book that the kids found a little dry but I think the author did a good job of interspersing the magical story of Snowman with the historical context.
Read
February 2, 2026Harry de Leyer taught horseback riding at a fancy-schmancy girls school on Long Island. It was 1956. Harry wanted a nice, calm horse for the girls to ride, but he didn’t have much money. He went to a horse auction in Pennsylvania, but he was late. When he got there they were closing up, and loading the unsold horses onto the truck that would take them to the slaughterhouse.
Harry said, “Wait,” and looked into the gentle eyes of a hard-used grey gelding with his skin rubbed raw from the plow harness. Harry took him home. He cleaned up nice. That was Snowman. All the kids loved him. He was sweet, but kind of boring.
When the school year was over, Harry sold Snowman to a local farmer. A few days later Snowman was back at Harry’s house. Harry told the farmer, “You must have left the gate open.” But he hadn’t. Snowman had jumped the fence. Harry said, “Try keeping him in a smaller paddock so he can’t get a running start.” But he got out again, and again.
Turns out the horse could jump. Who knew? Harry had tried to teach Snowman to jump by training him with poles low to the ground, but Snowman just ignored them and knocked them around. But put Snowman in front of a fence, and over he went.
So Harry took Snowman on the competitive jumping circuit, and he won! He competed against thoroughbreds worth thousands of dollars. Those horses had sleek, elegant physiques. Snowman was kind of dumpy looking. The thoroughbreds were high strung and antsy. Snowman was placid and easy.
This was a totally heartwarming book. Harry and his wife Joanna were immigrants from Holland. They had suffered through WWII, and were building themselves a new life in a new country with hard work. They had what turned out to be a whole bunch of children, all of whom helped care for Snowman and the other horses.
Harry was a down to earth man who did all the hands on care for his horse himself at competitions, while the owners and riders of the elite horses paid grooms to do the dirty work. Snowman was part of a loving family, and came to be beloved by the horse-loving public as well.
Note: I accidentally picked up the version of this book “adapted for young readers.” Had I known, I probably would have read the grownup version, as I am a grownup. But the book seemed quite thorough, not oversimplified, and I can’t imagine what they might have left out.
Harry said, “Wait,” and looked into the gentle eyes of a hard-used grey gelding with his skin rubbed raw from the plow harness. Harry took him home. He cleaned up nice. That was Snowman. All the kids loved him. He was sweet, but kind of boring.
When the school year was over, Harry sold Snowman to a local farmer. A few days later Snowman was back at Harry’s house. Harry told the farmer, “You must have left the gate open.” But he hadn’t. Snowman had jumped the fence. Harry said, “Try keeping him in a smaller paddock so he can’t get a running start.” But he got out again, and again.
Turns out the horse could jump. Who knew? Harry had tried to teach Snowman to jump by training him with poles low to the ground, but Snowman just ignored them and knocked them around. But put Snowman in front of a fence, and over he went.
So Harry took Snowman on the competitive jumping circuit, and he won! He competed against thoroughbreds worth thousands of dollars. Those horses had sleek, elegant physiques. Snowman was kind of dumpy looking. The thoroughbreds were high strung and antsy. Snowman was placid and easy.
This was a totally heartwarming book. Harry and his wife Joanna were immigrants from Holland. They had suffered through WWII, and were building themselves a new life in a new country with hard work. They had what turned out to be a whole bunch of children, all of whom helped care for Snowman and the other horses.
Harry was a down to earth man who did all the hands on care for his horse himself at competitions, while the owners and riders of the elite horses paid grooms to do the dirty work. Snowman was part of a loving family, and came to be beloved by the horse-loving public as well.
Note: I accidentally picked up the version of this book “adapted for young readers.” Had I known, I probably would have read the grownup version, as I am a grownup. But the book seemed quite thorough, not oversimplified, and I can’t imagine what they might have left out.
October 16, 2020
The Eighty-Dollar Champion is the heartwarming story of Harry de Leyer and his horse, Snowman. Snowman came into Harry's life on a cold winter afternoon. Harry, a Dutch immigrant, was a riding instructor at the Knox School on Long Island, NY. He needed a special horse to teach his students how to ride. The weather was miserable the day of the auction, and by the time he arrived, the sale was over. The remaining horses were being loaded onto a truck for the trip to the slaughterhouse. Harry de Leyer looked over the horses and saw the mount he needed. The horse was in poor physical condition, but he was gentle and intelligent. Harry took the money from his wallet and purchased Snowman on the spot.
It wasn't long before Harry realized that Snowman might be more than he seemed. Money was always tight, so he decided to sell Snowman to a nearby farm. Within a few days, Snowman was back, dragging a piece of fence along with him. He had escaped from his enclosure. After other similar incidents, Harry de Leyer realized that he had a jumper and he bought Snowman back from the farmer.
Harry de Leyer and his family grew to love Snowman, who showed a special talent for show jumping. This book describes their journey into the fascinating world of professional horse competitions, but it truly shines in its depiction of the loving relationship between man and horse. This book will appeal to a wide range of students with many interests and would be an excellent read-aloud, as there is no objectionable content in the story. The Eighty-Dollar Champion is a winner and is a recommended purchase for public and school libraries.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
It wasn't long before Harry realized that Snowman might be more than he seemed. Money was always tight, so he decided to sell Snowman to a nearby farm. Within a few days, Snowman was back, dragging a piece of fence along with him. He had escaped from his enclosure. After other similar incidents, Harry de Leyer realized that he had a jumper and he bought Snowman back from the farmer.
Harry de Leyer and his family grew to love Snowman, who showed a special talent for show jumping. This book describes their journey into the fascinating world of professional horse competitions, but it truly shines in its depiction of the loving relationship between man and horse. This book will appeal to a wide range of students with many interests and would be an excellent read-aloud, as there is no objectionable content in the story. The Eighty-Dollar Champion is a winner and is a recommended purchase for public and school libraries.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 19, 2026
If you love horses, this is your book. Or if you remember a time in your life when you wanted a horse so bad but knew you probably would never get one, this is a great book for you. The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman, The Horse That Inspired a Nation by Elizabeth Letts is a non-fiction book that falls under the genres of biography, memoir, and sports history. It is a heartwarming narrative leading the reader to learn and experience the true story of Harry de Leyer and his rescued horse, Snowman. Between horse and rider they both rise to fame in show jumping. I love a story about the underdog. Who doesn't! This book takes you on that journey. How Harry and the horse meet each other is a good story on it's own. A plow horse rescued is from a slaughterhouse at the end of a horse auction. There is nothing left but the horses that will be slaughtered to become dog food. It is the true story of Snowman, an old plow horse bought for $80 by a Dutch immigrant named Harry deLeyer. It was every penny he had in his pocket and the horse was already loaded on the knacker's wagon. The pair went on to become an unlikely show jumping championship team in the late 1950s. A sign of hope for many American's during the cold war. It is about their relationship, their will to not give up, and their love and devotion to each other. It is an amazing story and a good read. Even if you don't read the book, you should google the horse and see the pictures and the man whose story is one worth knowing
April 8, 2021
This book is a wonderful true story of giving a rejected horse and rider a chance to soar and to never give up on your dreams. I recommend highly for horse enthusiasts. A feel good, uplifting book about the power of hard work, perseverance, and grit for the underdog in an elite ruled world of show jumping. Fly into this great read!
August 28, 2025
loved this one - fell in love/was rooting for harry, snowy, and their family the whole way through <3 the historical aspect was also very interesting - considering how horse riding originally considered for men and the freedom it afforded the girls at the school, lack of helmets, different structures of competitions, just how harry and his family lived at this time…
July 4, 2020
An uplifting book about a horse destined for the glue factory, that gets bought at the last minute for $80, and goes on to become a jumping champion. A book that is sure to be enjoyed by your upper elementary horse loving readers.
#TheEightyDollarChampion #NetGalley #ARC
#TheEightyDollarChampion #NetGalley #ARC
May 10, 2021
Excellent book for middle school horse lovers! Actually, anyone would love this Cinderella story. It reminds me of Boys in the Boat, but with a horse. I would like to get a class set for the school.
August 3, 2021
This was a really sweet and inspirational read. Snowman is and always will be one of my most favorited horses, especially in Stadium Jumping. Harry Delayer is also a very personable and kind soul throughout this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who rides or just loves horses.
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June 20, 2021DNF at 12%. Too anthropomorphic.
February 13, 2023
This book came highly recommended by a member of my book club and it was a very sweet read. I did not know in advance that it is a YA book but it is really suitable for all ages.
October 16, 2023
The story is great, but you also get a lot of information. About horseriding culture and a bunch of horseshowhistory. Also the book repeats itself often, wich could be quite annoying.
May 6, 2024
Wonderful boonk!
August 17, 2024
Such a good feel-good story. As a horse lover, I really loved this book.
May 2, 2023
This was the most boring book I have ever read in my life and in my life I have read many, many books. I only read this book because it was a Reading Olympics book but otherwise I never, ever would have even picked it up. Whoever thought that this book would be appealing to teens needs to get a reality check because reading this book made my brain numb. I strongly recommend that no one read this book!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews