Harry de Leyer, St. James resident and equestrian legend alongside Snowman, to be laid to rest

De Leyer, the oldest of 12 children, came to the U.S. and eventually ended up on Long Island. He taught riding lessons at the Knox School for more than two decades and owned a horse farm in St. James.

News 12 Staff

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Jul 5, 2021, 9:30 PM

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Updated 1,022 days ago

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A Dutch immigrant and former St. James resident who lived a true rags to riches story as an expert equestrian will be laid to rest Tuesday.

Harry de Leyer died at 93 two weeks ago. In his time, he became an equestrian legend and a true showman.

De Leyer, the oldest of 12 children, came to the U.S. and eventually ended up on Long Island. He taught riding lessons at the Knox School for more than two decades and owned a horse farm in St. James.

He bought his horse, Snowman, at an auction in Pennsylvania, saving him from slaughter.

"He said that he saw a kindness in his eye and just something about that horse," says Andre De Leyer, his son.

De Leyer and Snowman became inseparable in competition and in life. And the success rolled in.

Snowman was also a favorite of de Leyer's eight kids -- with Andre calling him a "one in a million horse."

Snowman is buried on what was the family's farm. Even though there is a new owner now, the grave remains.

Andre says his dad never really retired. In fact, he reinvented his competitive self later in life. He then became known as "the Galloping Grandfather."