snowman: the horse that inspired a nation
elizabeth letts

Aired October 26, 2018

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Elizabeth Letts is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of several novels and two phenomenal horse books:  The Eighty-Dollar Champion and The Perfect Horse.

The Eighty-Dollar Champion chronicles the inspiring, true story of destitute immigrant Harry deLeyer and Snowman, a slaughter-bound plow horse he rescued. Together, Harry and Snowman won post World War II America’s heart by climbing in two short years to the very top of the elite world of show jumping. This beloved pair later appeared on TV shows and traveled the world together, giving exhibitions and meeting their devoted fans.

Elizabeth’s book, The Perfect Horse, shares the gripping World War II behind-enemy-lines, true story of a small troop of battle-weary American soldiers saving priceless Lipizzan stallions from imminent death.

As a lifelong equestrian, Pony Club graduate, and phenomenally gifted writer, Elizabeth is the ideal person to tell these two amazing stories. So compelling are they – and so beautifully written – that these books are a treat for horse lovers and non-horse lovers alike.

Elizabeth majored in history at Yale, where she studied creative writing with Pulitzer Prize-winner John Hersey. Her writing has been recognized for numerous awards, including a John H. Daniels fellowship, The Charlotte Zolotow Award (honor book) and the Middle East Book Award.