Harry DeLeyer kept Snowman through his retirement in 1962 until the animal was euthanized in the fall of 1974 due to complications from kidney failure at the age of 26. When they reluctantly made the decision he had to be put to sleep, Harry didn't think he bear to be there. But when Snowman refused to leave the barn with anyone else, Harry was called on to walk him out to say goodbye.
Snowman and Harry deLeyer became popular with the media. First, they appeared in articles in the New York Times. Then they moved to television, appearing on the game show, "To Tell the Truth" and "The Tonight Show" where host Johnny Carson sat backwards on Snowman's back. Snowman also had his own fan club. Life Magazine did two profiles on him. There were three best-selling books about him, including the 2011 NY Times Best-Seller, The Eighty-Dollar Champion.
Snowman, the horse, began winning prestigious classes only two years after Harry DeLeyer bought off the slaughter truck, and his career lasted five years. He was photographed performing unusual feats such as jumping over other horses, and his calm disposition made him a favorite. He once won a leadline class and an open jumper championship on the same day.
In 2005, Snowman was made into a Breyer horse model on the Gem Twist mold, which is no longer manufactured. In 2013, Snowman was again introduced in the Breyer line on the Idocus mold. The 2013 model box reads "Snowman - Show Jumping Hall of Famer."
In 1992, Snowman was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. For Harry himself, he represented the United States at the World Championships in Sweden in 1983 and was recognized by the United States Equestrian Foundation with a Pegasus Medal of Honor in 2002. Snowman even appeared on the "To Tell the Truth" game show in the 1960s, as well as "Who do you Trust" with Johnny Carson. Johnny Carson even climbed into Snowman's saddle on his program. He retired from competition in 1962 and lived out his golden years on deLeyer's Long Island farm until he died in 1974.