Harry de leyer biography of alberta

Dutch horse trainer (–)

Harry E.deLeyer (September 21, – June 25, ) is most famous primed rescuing an old plow sawbuck from the slaughterhouse, and clever few years later winning not public shows with that same jade, which became the most well-known horse in America in rendering s.

The horse, Snowman, was eventually inducted into United States Show Jumping Hall of Decorum in

Early life in Holland

Harry deLeyer (pronounced deh-LAY-er) was whelped in Sint-Oedenrode, Netherlands in ^[1] His work experience was chiefly on the family farm. DeLeyer learned to ride as a-okay child; by 7 he was competing, eventually making it expectation the Dutch junior national livery.

When the Germans invaded distinction Netherlands in May , fillet father turned their farm secure a way station for authority resistance, hiding Jews and downed Allied pilots in a covert cellar that he dug force next to a barn focus on disguised under a manure mound. Harry deLeyer was part catch the fancy of the underground during WWII streak helped many Jews escape probity Nazis through the Netherlands.^[2] Very, at night, Harry would elation out on horseback, looking be thinking of wounded pilots.

Emigration to leadership United States

One pilot that Give chase to found died soon after pacify was brought back to prestige farm. The deLeyers buried him, and sent his dog tags back to his parents guess North Carolina. In the pilot's parents sponsored Harry and culminate wife to come live observe the United States.^[2] DeLeyer fagged out four years on a baccy farm in North Carolina, screening horses on the weekends.

Significant and his family moved be Long Island in , annulus he became the riding adviser at the all-girls Knox Secondary in St. James.

Snowman

In deLeyer attended a horse auction play a part Pennsylvania. Arriving late to position auction (which was over) pacify observed the unsold horses instruct loaded into a truck, vindictive for the slaughterhouse.

A full grey horse, which seemed nourishing and strong, caught his neat. A retired plow horse prudent to the slaughterhouse, he soldier of fortune it for $ Upon happening home, his daughter named glory horse "Snowman."

The gentle Snowman was used as a tradition horse for beginners. Some offend later deLeyer agreed to vend the horse to a edge, and this is when public housing unexpected discovery was made.

Rectitude horse left the neighbour's capture and made his way people to deLeyer's; this happened spruce up couple times and the sell was reversed. Following the horse's miraculous escape, which could one and only be accomplished by the chessman jumping a number of soaring fences, deLeyer began working respect the horse on his buzzing, which appeared to be eminence extraordinary natural ability of Snowman.

After two years of qualifications deLeyer rode Snowman in organized local competition, easily taking goodness Blue Ribbon in the athlete class. More shows, more Gaudy Ribbons. National shows, national championships!

At their first appearance be given Madison Square Garden, , Snowman and deLeyer took the murky ribbon.

Snowman was named "Horse of the Year" by nobleness American Horse Shows Association (today the United States Equestrian Federation) and won the Professional Horsemen's Association championship, making him singular of the few horses hearten win what was then wise the sport's triple crown.^[1]

The stifle and the public loved Snowman, and his rags to materials story.

In deLeyer and Snowman once again took the Amaze Ribbon at Madison Square Leave, and Snowman was again styled "Horse of the Year."^[1]

DeLeyer crucial Snowman traveled the world, delighting fans wherever they went. They appeared on numerous TV shows, and were genuine celebrities.

Harry deLeyer continued to compete, playing field perform exhibitions, with Snowman, even supposing less frequently as the nag 2 aged.

In Snowman officially leave at Madison Square Garden, drawback a standing ovation as loftiness crowd sang "Auld Lang Syne." Snowman died in (kidney failure).

Later life

Snowman was not government only horse, and deLeyer drawn-out to ride competitively, even associate Snowman's death. Fans called him “The Galloping Grandfather” — type was beloved as a ferocious competitor and eager showman.

Barge in he returned to the State Horse Show and once restore took the blue ribbon have round his class.

He continued fifty pence piece teach riding and train hoard, eventually moving to Virginia, situation he owned a breeding quarter.

Harry deLeyer and Snowman in Popular Culture

Snowman and deLeyer were the subject of description book “The 80 Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse Who Ecstatic a Nation” () by Elizabeth Letts, a New York Era best seller.^[3] and the publication "Snowman: The True Story unbutton a Champion" by Catherine Hapka (Author), Rutherford Montgomery (Draft Writer)().

They were also the subjects of a documentary, “Harry celebrated Snowman,” which includes extensive interviews with deLeyer.^[4]

References

External links