Thursday, December 1, 2011

The Eighty-Dollar Champion by Elizabeth Letts

Harry is a young man from Holland who has immigrated to the US for a better life.  He and his wife began with nothing but high hopes.  He was late to the horse auction, but he wanted to have an animal to take home to show for his time and effort.  That's why he bought a horse bound for the slaughter house...

Random House and Net Galley allowed me the opportunity to download this ebook and review it (thank you).  It has been published so visit your local bookstore for a copy.  The subtitle of this book is:  Snowman, the Horse That Inspired a Nation.

Harry's children said the horse looked like a snowman as he stood in the dark and was examined by the family members.  So Snowman he was named.  He'd been used a plow horse and needed some tender loving care, but he still had a spark in his eye and ears that pricked and twitched.  Harry thought he'd work well as a "learner" horse for the young ladies at the school to practice riding on.

Snowman did well at that and Harry grew fond of him, but at the end of the season he decided to sell him and look for another horse for the next school season.  He wanted to get a show horse he could compete on.

Imagine his surprise when Snowman refuses to stay sold.  It seems that while Snowman would not jump over a small barrier, he has no problem jumping over a four foot high fence.  Even if he has a tire tied to rope to keep him down.

This is just the beginning of the story...

Harry and his horse caught the public's attention, especially since journalism and media were just beginning to grow themselves.  They made a great "underhorse" story.  And soon the crowds were roaring for them.

This is a fascinating read and you can't help but cheer for Harry and Snowman yourself.  I'm not a big horse person myself, but I really enjoyed this story.

Happy reading.

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