Standardbred Stars - Veruca Salt

Laura Harbour and her mare Veruca Salt, have been together since 1997 and since that time the horse-crazy teenager and the little filly have come a long, long way.

Veruca Salt is more casually known as “LEGS” which is a tribute to the mare’s sire, Nuclear Legacy. Laura began training LEGS and before long, the pair was off on their journey into the world of hSorse showing. Laura incorporated everything from jumping to reining into her training regime. The early attempts were not what Laura had dreamed of, they finished last in every class they entered. But Laura believed in her mare, and followed her dream, of one day earning a National Title. She took her horse with her to college, where they became members of the University of Kentucky’s Equestrian Team. Slowly, success in the show ring actually began to happen. Those first successes were on the local hunter-jumper circuit, and then in 1998 the pair earned Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals in the Beginner Hunter and Field Hunter Division of the Bluegrass State Games, a Kentucky version of the Olympics. The cross training paid off with back to back Year End High Point Awards in Hunter and Western Divisions at the 1999 and 2000 Manley Farms Competition. 2001 brought gold medals in Senior Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat and Over Fences and Senior Field Hunter at the Blue Grass Games. During the years between 2004 & 2009 at the Festival of the Horse Show in Georgetown, Ky., the pair earned a total of 18 First Place Ribbons; six of those placing were in the Open Western Horsemanship and Open Western Pleasure Classes. The Festival of the Horse Show also named them the 2005 Champion and 2008 Reserve Champion in Open Western Pleasure Division.

In 2007 Laura and “LEGS” journeyed to New Jersey for the National Standardbred Show… “LEGS” earned the National Title that Laura had been dreaming of for over ten years. In fact, they won every class they entered, and were awarded the Overall High Point Senior Horse. Together, they have proven many times, that there are no limits to the Standardbred’s abilities!

Sadly, Legs was diagnosed with navicular disease in 2008. With more than 150 blue ribbons to her credit, Legs has unwaveringly taken on Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, and Quarter Horses in their own arenas and emerged victorious. She has earned her pension in green pastures many times over. The 2010 World Equestrian Games will likely be Legs’ retirement party.