Christine Whelan FEO, July 7, 2022, VOL. 3 ISSUE 23
Montasola Farms, settled in the middle of 100 acres in Stevensville, surrounded by bush and conservation land, is getting revved up to host the RAM Rodeo Tour for a wild & western four-day weekend!
As seen at the Calgary Stampede, the Niagara-Stevensville RAM Rodeo will showcase some of Canada’s top cowboys and cowgirls, competing in standard rodeo events like barrel racing, bronc riding, pole bending and the world’s most dangerous sport, bull riding.
Ben Vander Meer, Owner and Operator of Montasola Farms, is looking forward to getting this party started.
After just spending a weekend out of town attending another rodeo, Ben took some time to chat with me on the phone about the upcoming event and the farm itself. Right away, I got a sense of his general outlook, in our initial small talk, about life on the farm. And about life. He says there is always something going on there to keep it wild. “Life’s way too short.”
He expanded, “I just bought a mechanical bull. We’re having a blast with it. There was a 71-year-old at the rodeo this weekend who just got diagnosed with throat cancer. He said he drove five hours to get there because it was on his bucket list to ride a bull.
“So, yes, life is too short. Check off your boxes while you can.”
When asked about how he got to be in the industry, Vander Meer shared, “I am not one to work for somebody else. I was brought up on a chicken farm, so farming is what I do.”
He lived in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Wellandport farming areas before moving to the Fort Erie area.
In addition, “I’ve been coaching all kinds of sports in this town for the last 20 years now so most people around here if they have kids in sports, they know me. I like coaching and teaching.”
Transferring those skills and interests to the farm, “I like getting these kids up on a horse, to show them something different, something new, allow them the opportunity of the experience. This is why I keep my prices the way they are, so hopefully, the experience is available to all kids.
Ben believes spending time on the farm has a powerfully positive impact on people of all ages. “It’s about the experience. It’s about giving it a try. They may like it. They may not. But it’s about giving them that opportunity.”
Witnessing those opportunities is Ben’s experience.
The Farm
“There are so many kids who come to ride who are on a spectrum. And there are adults who come out who have social challenges. They get out there and they can bond with the horses. Sometimes it doesn’t mean they are riding. Sometimes just walking with the horses has an impact. It’s amazing to see their character change just with that half hour to an hour with a horse. It’s unbelievable.
“There are times where the kids don’t talk to anyone else, they don’t talk to me, but then they get on that horse, and things change. Their parents say, ‘My child doesn’t want to do anything but get out on a horse.’
“They’ll never be a team sports person. They may never be comfortable in a group or crowd but if they can come out here and spend some time with a horse, that is their thing. It’s very freeing for them. It opens an area of themselves that they may not even realize would be able to free them. It’s kind of cool to see.”
The Rodeo
At a time when it’s become more of a priority to find events and activities with the capabilities to awaken a person out of a pandemic funk, this rodeo has the potential to fit that bill. “It’s something a lot of people don’t usually get to see,” Vandeer Meer remarked in that context and admits, that it’s one way to live life to the fullest.
The four-day event starts on Friday. “On July 29th, we have some barrel racing and pole bending competitions and a rodeo kickoff party. My mechanical bull will be out. We’ll have a dance and a live band, Brandon Silver and Silverado.
“Saturday and Sunday night, we have Ty Baynton, a country music artist, singing. It’s an action-packed weekend, from start to finish.”
Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31
12:00PM Gates, vendors, drinking chute open
2:00PM Kids’ Rodeo with Canadian Cowgirls
3:00PM Ram Rodeo Performance
7:00PM Country Concert Performance by Ty Baynton
10:00PM Grounds and drinking chute close
Monday, August 1
12:00PM Gates, vendors, drinking chute open
2:00PM Kids’ Rodeo with Canadian Cowgirls
3:00PM Ram Rodeo Performance
7:00PM Country Concert Performance by Ty Baynton
10:00PM Grounds and drinking chute close
“There will be vendors.” Ben is open to more vendors and has vendors’ packages available. He is also looking for more sponsors.
“Community sponsorship is a good way to get businesses out there. We can put banners in the ring. Every bull that comes out, every horse that comes out, even every pole-bending and barrel horse that comes out to run and compete, the announcer will pick a sponsor and say, ‘Ok, this is your cowgirl’ or ‘this is your cowboy coming out’ and say the name of the business.”
The Animals
We talked seriously about the lives of the animals involved. “For these rodeo athletes, these animals are their lives. They need these animals to be in top shape, in top condition, and mentally perfect. Top to bottom, they are treated like gold. I have a lot of people in this rodeo family that will put their money into their animals before it goes on the dinner table.”
Ben understands a little insight can go a long way. “When we have our rodeo, the announcer is actually the owner of the RAM rodeo. He’s very good at showing how and why these animals buck. It’s not because we wrapped a rope around their testicles and yanked it tight like some think. It’s actually just a soft strap that we put under their bellies. As soon as that comes off, they stop kicking. All they are trying to do is kick the strap off. They’re bred to buck.
“The announcer explains how the athletes enjoy their animals, about the love they have for their animals. He’s really good at taking the time to explain this all to the audience so that people understand the full picture. He’s been doing this for about 25 years.”
During the presentation, “He has one of our bullfighters come up and hold up the flank strap that we put around their hind quarters to get them to buck and it’s just a lambskin piece of fabric.”
There is great care, according to Vander Meer, in making sure all goes well with both the athlete and animal. “At the moment the gate is about to open, we make sure both are in the right position before we even let them out of the chute.” Then he added, “There is something about being down in those chutes with a 2,000-pound animal, let me tell ya.”
To add some perspective, Ben shared, “At the beginning of the day, we actually have all the bucking horses and the bulls out in the arena together grazing. And for those who show up early to the rodeo, they’ll see this. We’ll be walking around in there with them, making sure they’re fed and watered. There’s something about seeing that 2,000-pound bucking bull or horse in the arena, relaxed and just hanging out in their natural state.
“It’s not until we get them out there and put that strap on them. They know their job. When they get in the chute, it’s time to go.” It’s a combination of instinct and training.
We likened this, in conversation, to seeing a play or movie shooting and being able to go backstage. The actors in character are very different than when they are themselves, out of character.
This will be the Stevensville farm’s second year to host the Ram rodeo. The rodeo itself has been running for 24 years.
“We had 3,000 people here last year, and that was just a Saturday and Sunday night. This year, we have Friday to Monday performances.”
They are getting ready for this year’s anticipated doubled numbers. “I’ll bring in the bleachers and we’ve got the port-a-potties, cleaned and ready to go.”
Ticket Information
Advanced Tickets
Adult: $25.00 / Youth (6-12 years): $10.00
Child (5 & under): Free with the purchase of an adult ticket
Ticket Prices at the Gate
Adult: $30.00 / Youth (6-12 years): $15.00
Child (5 & under): $5.00
You can find further details about the Niagara-Stevensville RAM Rodeo and Montasola Farms on Facebook and check out the website, montasolafarms.com
To contact Ben Vander Meer directly, phone (905) 651-6816
Photo provided by Ben Vander Meer
