Beware of the Headless Horseman

 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is one of the original classic American Halloween stories. I love Halloween, and Washington Irving’s 1820 short story about the love-struck Ichabod Crane being chased out of Sleepy Hollow by a headless Hessian encapsulates the season for me. 

 

I wanted to create the moment of the story where the Headless Horseman, unable to cross Sleepy Hollow bridge, succeeds in chasing poor Ichabod and his horse Gunpowder out of town. 

 

My inspiration came when we visited the real town of Sleepy Hollow in New York last year. After that visit, I made a large diorama which I have taken to many LEGO fan events over the past year. The feedback was very positive, so I decided to save the important elements of the build and make a scaled-down version that I would love to see as a set. 

 

My design process involves showing the three important parts of the story I am trying to tell; The Horseman, The Bridge, and Ichabod. I wanted those elements to be able to be viewed individually, mixed or matched, and all together to tell the story. 

 

The black horse is rearing up, silhouetted by a large harvest moon. His tattered cape flows in the wind and he holds a large Jack-o-Lantern, soon to be thrown at Ichabod. I wanted his part of the story to have a large spooky unworldly tree to show that his side is both dark and menacing.

 

I wanted a traditional New England style covered bridge. Though not true to the original short story, it is true to many other adaptations of the legend.  I built a flowing stream under the bridge to add the idea of movement to the design. 

 

He is terrified! As he races away in his terror the dust coming up from Gunpowder's hooves suggests the element of speed. His side of the bridge encompasses more colour to highlight the contrasting atmosphere of the Horseman’s side.  In keeping with the season, I chose a fall-coloured tree and pumpkin patch, along with a Scarecrow doing a poor job of keeping the birds away. 

 

I believe my idea would make a great LEGO set because it speaks to the spookiness of Halloween without being too scary, allowing families and fans of all ages to enjoy creating it. The way the modules can combine to tell a story which can be modified during and after building gives the owner the freedom of choice.  Finally, I feel it would make a great addition to the collection for any fan of the Fall Season, Sleepy Hallow, or a good spooky story! 

-SL