Harry & Snowman – movie review

A story of spirit and determination, but above all passion, Harry & Snowman chronicles the life of Dutch-born American Harry deLeyer and the horse he rescued from certain death. Snowman was a white plough horse literally bought off the back of a truck where it was bound for a glue factory. DeLeyer was the purchaser and he paid the not so princely sum of US$80. In less than two years, deLeyer – who had previously been a much-loved riding instructor at an upper crust girls’ school – and Snowman went on to win the triple crown of show jumping, astonishing a nation.

This is one of those horse stories that truly reaches out to tug at the heartstrings. In the USA, there was the career of Seabiscuit in the 1930s, but it was Harry and Snowman that captured the imagination and hearts of a nation during the 1950s and 1960s.

Much of the yarn is told by an erudite man in his mid 80s, namely deLeyer himself, along with members of his family and other horsemen. The documentary features previously unreleased archival footage and more than 1,200 never before seen pictures, including lost Life magazine photo shoots. We follow deLeyer through daily life on his farm and on the horse show circuit, and are transported to the triumphant moments in the lives of the horse and his owner/rider.

Three books have been written about Snowman and Harry and their remarkable relationship, namely Snowman (1960), The Story of Snowman the Cinderella Horse (1962) and the The Eighty Dollar Champion (2011, Random House). MGM is currently in development of a feature film about the dynamic duo.

As a filmmaker, Ron Davis is inspired by stories in which the underdog succeeds against the odds. Such was the theme in his first two feature documentaries, Pageant and Miss You Can Do It. Now here is another.

Harry deLeyer grew up working on his family farm in Holland. After World War II, he and his wife immigrated to the United States, where he was offered a job as a riding instructor at the exclusive Knox School in Long Island, New York. DeLeyer’s career was undoubtedly given a massive boost by the arrival of Snowman and he went on to become one of the most successful riders and trainers in America. He represented America at the World Championships in Sweden in 1983 and was recognised by the United States Equestrian Foundation with a Pegasus Medal of Honor in 2002 for his lifetime contribution to the sport. Now 86, the “Galloping Grandfather,” as he is known, still rides and trains, based out of his farm in Virginia.

The impression I gained was that deLeyer is quite the showman, an extrovert who doesn’t mind the limelight. He had high expectations for his children (all of them can be seen enjoying Snowman’s company when they were youngsters), not all of whom provide commentary for the doco.

I would have liked to have heard more from those who didn’t speak because for deLeyer work and career development were the driving forces and that meant sacrifices for the family, including his wife. Clearly there were elements that were largely avoided – although hinted at – in order to paint a favourable impression. While perfectly understandable, I am one of those that appreciates warts and all portrayals, rather than sugar coated material. Nevertheless, Harry & Snowman certainly leaves a lasting impression about one lucky man (perhaps you can say he made his own luck) and his champion horse.

Incidentally, Snowman retired from competition in 1962 to deLeyer’s farm in Long Island where he lived until he died in 1974. He was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 1992. Rated G, Harry & Snowman scores a 7½ out of 10.

Director: Ron Davis
Release Date: 19 May 2016 (limited)
Rating: G

Alex First