Harry and Snowman (G)
Director: Ron Davis (Pageant)
Starring: Harry DeLeyer, Harriet DeLeyer, Andre DeLeyer, Marty DeLeyer.
Rating: ***1/2
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWA lifetime of high jumps and smooth landings
A sincerely delightful documentary about the special, life-defining friendship that was shared between an unfashionably-bred farm horse and the man who saved him from a one-way trip to the glue factory.
In the late 1950s, amateur rider Harry DeLeyer paid $80 for a scrawny white workhorse named Snowman.
Inside the space of two years, the pair became the most formidable force (and world-famous attraction) that the sport of prestige showjumping has ever seen.
Both subjects under a misty-lensed microscope here are colourful, one-of-a-kind characters you will never forget meeting.
Harry and his wife had eight children, and a highly unusual way of seeing life. At least in terms of how life was supposed to conducted in mid-20th century America.
As for Snowman, he just loved being around people, whether performing for a crowd at the height of his powers, or offering a small child a ride on his back.
Though there is not a lot of footage in existence of Harry and Snowman slaying packed arenas in their high-flying prime, you can tell by the looks on the faces of the many eyewitnesses talking here that the duo were an exhilarating sight.
Especially when you factor in that Snowman was an elderly 14 years of age before he ever lifted a hoof over a jump in any kind of competition!
Lovely stuff.
Harry & Snowman is now showing at selected cinemas nationally. For a full list of locations, go to j.mp/harrysnow