Friday, June 29, 2012

The Eighty Dollar Champion

The Eighty Dollar Champion
by Elizabeth Letts [798.25 Let

The true story of Snowman, a former plowhorse, and Harry de Leyer, Dutch immigrant and trainer at a private girls' school. Harry buys Snowman for $80 off a knacker's truck and later discovers the horse's spectacular jumping skills. Set in the 1950s and 60s, this story brings to life the moneyed show jump world with its built-in prejudices, as Harry and Snowman compete against the upper-crust and their elite thoroughbreds with fancy equipment and blankets. Snowman ultimately appeared in most of the major magazines and newspapers, and was a model horse for Breyer. Horsey people will love this book - one can almost smell the leather, saddle soap, and horse sweat -- but "regular" folk will enjoy this quiet story as well. Told chronologically but includes flashbacks where appropriate as one learns about Harry and his wife during WWII and how they made it to America. Nine discs, the 10th is comprised of photos. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand.] -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in book-on-cd and downloadable E-book formats.]

[ official Elizabeth Letts/Eighty Dollar Champion web site ]


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