Legacy by one, specific definition is a gift of property. After the passing of French Flash Hawk aka “Bozo”, it is uncontested that he has his own estate in barrel racing history. This week’s episode on Racer’s Edge sparked the memory of how he was also a testament to what eventually became our Legacy System.

In 1996 the first Legacy splint boot was developed by us as a startup company, Classic Equine. Robby Wilson who worked on the first Legacy prototype and still does product research and development for Classic Equine today, wanted to develop a boot unlike anything on the market. Kristie Peterson and Bozo were an obvious choice to help test the first samples along with team ropers and several professionals from the cutting pen. Prior to Bozo wearing Legacy boots, ropers had been competing in the boot, and all loved it. None of the rope horses or cutting horses tested the boot’s limits like Bozo did. Kristie liked the boots, but sent the boots back in less than a month already torn up! Bozo had burnt holes in the hind boots because he got in the ground so hard. Robby and the development team knew that the boot needed to be revamped if it couldn’t withstand the rigors of the current World Champion. So it was back to the drawing board for the Classic Equine Legacy.

The next phases of research and development challenged what could be added to the back of the hind boots in order to make them tougher and durable enough to withstand the rodeo road. A contact was made to Dupont™ about their Kevlar® used in bullet proof vests for research on how it could be applied to the design. Positive feedback came from this relationship and Robby’s theory was applied to the exterior of the Legacy’s patented fetlock cradle system. It worked and from then on, the Legacy was deemed “tough enough for Bozo.”

Robby stated that, “Bozo was just cool- he was a great horse to test products and Kristie always had great feedback, and was very receptive. It is through our professionals  and their great horses that we are able to make our products meet the highest of expectations.”

The Classic Equine Legacy System was made to work with the horse’s own natural support structures. The goal was to make a boot that supported the horse’s natural ability to stop, turn, and accelerate. The Legacy System reinforces these motions and provides protection to the critical structures of the leg by cradling the fetlock and providing suspensory support without inhibiting movement. Today, we appreciate the beginning of the Legacy’s legacy and how far it has come. Classic Equine is privileged by the amazing horses that have worn it for their careers, and to the current and future super stars competing in it today.

 

Contact:
Hannah Haugen
hhaugen@equibrand.com