The Eighty-Dollar Champion

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The dramatic and inspiring story of a man and his horse, an unlikely duo whose rise to stardom in the sport of show jumping captivated the nation  

Harry de Leyer first saw the horse he would name Snowman on a truck bound for the slaughterhouse. The recent Dutch immigrant recognized the spark in the eye of the beaten-up nag and bought him for eighty dollars. On Harry’s modest farm on Long Island, he ultimately taught Snowman how to fly. Here is the dramatic and inspiring rise to stardom of an unlikely duo. 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. Their story captured the heart of Cold War–era America—a story of unstoppable hope, inconceivable dreams, and the chance to have it all. They were the longest of all longshots—and their win was the stuff of legend.

Advance praise for The Eighty-Dollar Champion

"Thisis a wonderful book-joyous, heartfelt, and an eloquent reminder that hope can befound 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 lovethis book!"-Gwen Cooper, author of Homer's Odyssey

"Themoving 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 pageto the last. Elizabeth Letts has uncovered a forgotten slice of American history and broughtit to magical life."-Karen Abbott, author ofAmerican Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee

"Thereis 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

"Areal live fairy tale about an unlikely rider and an even unlikelier horse who soared over obstacles to capture the hearts of a nation. An eloquent story about near misses and impossible odds and what can happenwith a little luck and a lot of determination. I fell in love with Snowman and Harry, and so will you."-SusanRichards, author of Chosen by a Horse

"Theperfect book at the perfect time. Snowman will lift you up and over."-Rita Mae Brown, author of the "Sister" Jane Foxhunting Mysteries series

"Afun and wonderfully detailed story about a most remarkable bond betweena man and hishorse. You will fall in love with the eighty-dollar champion."-W. Bruce Cameron, author of A Dog's Purpose

"Notonly a heartwarming tale of the bond between human and horse, but also afascinating look at the the Eisenhower years, when faulty memory tells us that America was placid and conformist." -Mary Doria Russell, author of Doc