The Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman – The Horse the Inspired a Nation Audio Book Review
The Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman – The Horse the Inspired a Nation – An Audio Book Review
- Author: Elizabeth Letts
- Narrated by: Bronson Pinchott
- Length: 10 hours and 38 minutes
- Unabridged
- Genre: Memoir/Sports
Download or CD available to BUY at Amazon.
The Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman – The Horse the Inspired a Nation Audio Book Summary:
During the 1958 National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden, an unlikely and mostly ignored white horse called Snowman entered the competition. A former plow horse, with his rider, Harry de Leyer both were seen as underdogs and a long shot to win the game. They proved everybody wrong and their victory was what made them into legends.
Harry de Leyer and Snowman first met during a harsh winter day. A white horse, on its way to the slaughter house, and de Leyer saw something in the tired and beaten horse’s eyes that no one else can see. He purchased the horse which he affectionately called Snowman for $80 dollars and took him to his farm in Long Island. As de Leyer’s farm struggles to stay afloat during hard times, de Leyer was forced to sell Snowman to another farm but a couple of days later Snowman returned to his master dragging a tire and a piece of a fence. de Leyer then saw this as an opportunity of Snowman’s talent and started to train this white horse how to jump higher than any horse in the countryside. With each competition they win and every obstacle they hurdled above, their reputation grew. Up against thoroughbred horses that would have been a mismatch for the old plow horse, de Leyer and Snowman proved themselves again and again.
This is a true story about underdogs and how natural talent and skill can sometimes be defeated by hard work and guts. And what may seem as an impossible task is possible if you believe in yourself and throw caution to the wind and give it your all.
One reason to listen:
The Eighty Dollar Champion is one of the most uplifting stories of all time. It shows that you do not need everyone to believe in you. As de Leyer and Snowman showed the world, all they needed was to believe in each other.
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Reactions:
“Even if you know nothing about horse jumping you will enjoy this book. Elizabeth Letts pays a lot of attention to details and lets the reader feel they are part of the story. She gives the background and nuance so we can appreciate the struggles and triumphs of a champion. I would have like to know this horse, what a wonderful story.” – Eddie
“This is a story for all animal lovers and all Americans. It is the story of the underdog – the American ‘rags to riches’ dream, all told in an eloquent, inspiring tone. The narrator wasn’t the greatest, but he improved throughout the story and there was nothing irritating about his style. Unlike other reviewers, I loved the American history lesson that went along with horse story. It added depth and meaning to the story.” – Corrine
“I grew up riding horses and show jumping. The author did a wonderful job of capturing all things true of the sport, while also telling a heartwarming, nonfiction story of a horse and rider who beat the odds. The story is so amazing it is almost unbelievable! I also appreciated the extra historical information interspersed throughout the book that was secondary to the main story. The narrator did a fantastic job. I highly recommend this refreshing listen to those that love animals and the underdog.” – Mary
“I don’t know that everyone will love this book, but if you have ever loved horses or horse books (Black Stallion), or if you have ever loved other animal-story books, then I think you will probably like this one. It is a great entry into the genre.” – Shy Susan
“At times it got a little long, too much details on bits and such that most horse people already know but it still kept my interest all the way through and it was a long book.” – Cathy
Score on Audible: 4.4 out of 5
Score on Amazon: 4.5 out of 5
Download or CD available to BUY at Amazon.
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