June 6, 2013 – Snowman’s amazing story began in 1956 when riding instructor Harry de Leyer spotted him on the back of a slaughterhouse-bound truck after he had arrived too late for the auction. De Leyer bought the large, half-starved grey gelding for $80 to use as a riding school horse. At his new home, the gelding quickly proved his worth and won over the hearts of de Leyer’s children, who, after a bath revealed his snowy-white coat, gave him the name “Snowman.”
De Leyer sold Snowman, but Snowman kept returning to de Leyer’s Hollandia Farm by jumping his way across the fences in the adjoining fields! It was then that de Leyer recognized his talent for jumping and started training him as a show horse.
Snowman once again showed his worth by consistently winning at the biggest shows in the country, placing over some of the best horses of the time. Willing to jump anything from a 7’2” obstacle to another horse, he executed each jump with style and care. The 16hh gelding had such a gentle nature that he could win in the jumpers, then win a leadline class the very same day.
This rags-to-riches show jumping sensation captured the hearts of the American people as well as many awards. He was named the American Horse Show Association’s (now United States Equestrian Federation) Horse of the Year and the Professional Horseman’s Association’s Champion in 1958 and 1959, as well as winning the Open Jumper Championship at the 1958 National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. Snowman went on to become a television celebrity and was the subject of several books. Fifteen years after he passed away in 1977, he was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame.
Now, due to popular demand, Breyer is excited to announce that Snowman will be reintroduced as a Traditional model available for sale at Breyer retailers in September.
What keeps Breyer foremost in its collectors’ hearts is Breyer’s real connection to the world of horses. Not only is each hand-painted model an original, but only Breyer creates models based on real horse heroes and hosts events like BreyerFest, its 24th annual family festival (July 19-21, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Kentucky), which brings together 10,000 fans from around the world for an entire weekend dedicated to horses and Breyer models!
Breyer Animal Creations is a division of Reeves International (www.reevesintl.com), a family-owned, New Jersey-based toy manufacturer and distributor. The iconic Breyer brand was founded in 1950, and it is the undisputed leader in creating the world’s most authentic and realistic model horses for play and collecting. Visit us at www.breyerhorses.com or call 800-413-3348 to learn more about the model horse hobby and Breyer Animal Creations.
