BJ Memorial Award - Horse With The Most Heart

BJ MEMORIAL AWARD - HORSE WITH THE MOST HEART

Marci Laye is a seven time Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier, barrel horse trainer, clinician, and owns the great Canadian Stallion, LDS Unleashed with her husband Billy who is a decorated Canadian Champion Bareback rider.

Below is the story of Marci Laye’s great horse, BJ, written by Marci Laye.

“For those who don’t know about this award, let me give you a little background.

In 1977 I bought a horse out of the Calgary Herald wanted ads, because I wanted a buckskin quarter horse. I had saved my money, $750.00 and my sister’s boyfriend, George, said he would go partners with me and if he liked the horse, he’d pay for the other half. So this city kid, from the northeast side of Calgary, and George made what felt like a long trip to Okotoks to meet BJ. Well BJ wasn’t a buckskin, but a dunn. He wasn’t pretty, in fact in looked like he belonged in Kesler’s bucking string. An unruly mane full of dread locks, long feathers on stout legs, with big unkempt feet. I think George wanted to turn around right then and there, but I wanted to get on him. He had a terrible mouth, and when I asked him to back up, he went straight in the air and walked a few steps in that position. George wanted nothing to do with him! But me, I still wanted him. It took some pleading, and much to George’s better judgment, I talked him into the purchase.

Then next few years were not pretty. BJ was a renegade! I started by going to a couple of clinics on him. Joy Duce got on him at her clinic and when she went to get after him, he reared straight in the air! I’ll never forget someone yelling, “Don’t miss him out Joy!” Oh boy! What had I got myself into! Next I went to Isabella Millers clinic. It was there that I learned things that I still use to this day. It wasn’t easy, but day in and day out I worked on BJ. I lived in Albert Park in Calgary and boarded BJ about ½ hour away, at Joan Lyle’s folks place. Calf roper, Wayne Boisjoli kept his rope horse there. They lived not far off of what’s now the Deer Foot Trail. Lots of evenings would find Wayne and me taking the long ride out to Chestermere. Wayne’s little horse was like a rocking chair, where BJ was a jack hammer, but I perservered. I then started going to gymkhanas on him. What a disaster! He’d run into the fence on the first barrel, then if I did get him around I’d better hope the gateman had latched the gate, because we would cream into it. Poles… now there was another story! Hardly ever got a run in were they weren’t all on the ground. People said he was dangerous and I needed to get rid of him. But I was on my own financially. My mom and dad were divorced, and my mom did everything she could to help me, but we were not in the position to sell him and buy another. So I was stuck in a scenario of do the work and make it work. Wow! How lucky was I……seriously. The life lesson this horse taught me were truly invaluable and have stuck with me.

In 1979, I finally made a break through with him. We won the East Gate Saddle club senior barrels year end Championship. All the hard work was starting to pay off.

1980 I met Barb McRae and we hit the rodeo trail, going to FCA and pro rodeos. Back then we were the CGRA and an invited event to the CPRA. BJ and I ended up Season Leaders in the FCA and went on to win the finals as well. We made our first CFR, and at the age of 19 I was heading to my first of many CFR’s with BJ. BJ in his career won so many pro rodeos. He was the first every Copenhagan/Dodge truck Champion. He set a season leader earnings record in 1981. He had one of the highest batting averages out of all contestants going into the CFR a couple of times. He won money on both sides of the line. He was Horse of the Year twice in Canada. His list of accomplishments were long.

So what made this renegade turn into one of the greatest horse in Canadian barrel racing? It was heart. When I bought BJ, I was his 6th owner. He had been tossed around, miss understood, miss treated and never given a chance to show how great he was. (More life lessons) He was confused, distrustful and defiant. But like I said, I was stuck with him, lucky for him, my dream was big and I wasn’t in a position to give up. But once BJ started trusting me, he got to shine and show his true talent. He was gritty, tough, and had zero quit in him. He thrived on big crowds. Ground was never an issue for him. He’d run on three legs if I’d asked him. He became my life. He made my dreams come true. And for that, I will be forever thankful. My theory is “heart is something you can’t see, train or buy”. You never really see it ‘til the heat of the moment comes or until you really have your feet put into the fire. That’s when champions show their heart.

Life changes and sometimes we have to move forward. In 1987 I sold BJ to Holly Foster. I had a horse named Slick coming up and felt it was time to focus on him. I only sold BJ to Holly with the condition, he was not to be resold and was to come back to me for retirement. Sadly that day never came. On September 26 1988, I received a letter from Holly, saying my beloved BJ had to be euthanized do to complications from sand colic. My heart broke. This beauty friend who had carried me to 6 CFR’s and countless wins and memories was gone. Holly's letter:

“It takes a while to get over the worst part, but knowing BJ is a one-in-a-million kind of horse with so much heart and personality will bring back loads of memories. I’m thankful I had him for the time I did. I truly loved him and it’s obvious that you did too. I guess there are just some things beyond our control” Truly, Holly Foster.

”With so much heart”. Those words about said it all. BJ was twice named “Horse of The Year”. Having your peers honour your horse, is very gratifying. So in 1988 Billy and I started the”BJ Memorial, Horse with The Most Heart” award. It’s been 34 years now and some of the greatest horses in profession rodeo in Canada names grace the award.”

1988-1990 Doc owned by Ruth McDougall

1991-1992 Tia owned by Rayel Little

1993 and 1997 Awesome owned by Leslie Schlosser

1994 Tundra owned by Raylee Walters

1995 Racey owned by Joan Usher

1996 MnM owned by Dawn Link

1998 and 2000 Buck owned by Deb Renger

1999 Gizmo owned by Monica Wilson

2001 Chick owned by Jill Besplug

2002 Mr T owned by Carol Wilson

2003 Skeeter owned by Brook Ramsey

2004 DA owned by Dena Millard

2005-2006 Guy owned by Jolene Seitz

2007 CJ owned by Sierra Booth

2008 and 2011 Foxy owned by Traci McDonald

2009 Reiner owned by Deb Renger

2010 Doc owned by Rana Koopmans

2012 Mooney owned by Cranna Roberts

2013 Roody owned Britany Diaz

2014 Frenchie owned by Katie Garthwaite

2015 Wicked owned by Nancy Csabay

2016 Racey owned by Kirsty White

2017-2018 Ripp owned by Carman Pozzobon

2019 Blondy owned by Justin Elliott

2021 Blondy owned by Justin Elliott

2022 Hot Donna owned by Shelby Spielman

2023 Cowboy owned by Lynette Brodoway