‘Rain or shine’: Sixth Stevensville rodeo rides at Montasola Farms
August 5, 2026 at 3:19 AM
The Stevensville Ram Rodeo wrapped up its sixth year Monday at Montasola Farms, a day after a severe storm left competitors riding through a waterlogged arena.
Rain or shine, the tour competes through any weather short of lightning, so Sunday’s downpour thinned the stands at the Stevensville Road farm but the rodeo never stopped, according to organizer Ben Vandermeer.
“It was a little bit wet, a little bit soggy, but we got through it,” Vandermeer, who owns Montasola Farms, told Fort Erie Radio on Monday. “Rain or shine, the rodeo keeps going.”
Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie RadioEnvironment Canada placed Fort Erie under a tornado warning Sunday afternoon as a severe thunderstorm moved through the region.
“We got a ton of rain, so we were basically running in a pool,” Jennifer Gordon, an announcer with the Ram Rodeo Tour, told Fort Erie Radio.
The tour stages 18 rodeos across southern Ontario each summer. Almost 3,000 people attended under clear skies on Saturday.
Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie RadioCompetitors pay their own entry fees, which go into the prize pool, and only the top six finishers in each event earn a paycheque.
“The competitors want to win, but once that ride’s over, they’re cheering for their buddies,” Vandermeer said. “They’re cheering for the guys that are even competing against them.”
The rodeo opened Friday night with local competitors and a rough-stock ride-off. Full performances followed Saturday through Monday, including pole bending, barrel racing, saddle bronc, bull riding, trick riding and youth events.
The grounds also included a kids rodeo, vendors, food and live bands.
Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie Radio“We love being able to bring rodeo to small communities that maybe have never experienced it before,” Gordon said.
Planning has already started for the rodeos seventh year in Stevensville, according to Vandermeer.
“Stevensville is a staple of the tour,” Gordon said. “We look forward to it.”
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About The Author
Andrew Hawlitzky
Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"
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