Having seen various versions of this story, including the 1999 movie with Christina Ricci and Johnny Depp, I thought I knew pretty much what to expect from Irving's story. I mean, of course there would have been some fudging of the details, but the basic plot would surely remain the same. 
 Nope. 
 In fact, the headless horseman barely gets a mention. Most of the story follows Ichabod Crane, a schoolmaster from Connecticut with a rapacious appetite for food, as he tries to court a young heiress. Of course, he is primarily attracted to this beautiful and wealthy heiress because her lands include all sorts of food - pigs for meat, apples for pies and ciders, etc. 
 Only at the beginning, when the setting is described, and at the very end, is the headless horseman even mentioned. 
 It's a funny story, with a lot of humorous imagery that would make it a great children's tale. It also isn't scary in the least.