The Rustemeier's
Matt Rustemeier
Carolyn Rustemier
Matt Rustemeier grew up near on a small, vertically integrated cattle operation near Morinville Alberta. He was provided with basic skills in stockmanship and handling of cattle and horses through guidance and mentorship in 4-H Beef and Equine Clubs. Matts parents were always huge supporter of his interest in agriculture and animals and provided him with the opportunity to practice any new skills at home on their own cow herd.
After High School, Matt went to work for Warner Guiding and Outfitting, packing mules in the back country of Banff National Park. It was during this time in Banff that he received mentorship from his foreman Barry Fergusson, friend Adam Thiessen and many other individuals that had worked for large cow outfits, PFRA pastures, horse trainers and feedlots. Some of the fundamental skills required of a young cowboy such as shoeing, packing, throwing the Houlihan and starting green horses were learned at Warner Guiding and Outfitting.
Following his Time in Banff, Matt worked through the winter as an assistant trainer in a reining barn and then went on to work as a colt starter at the Griffith Ranch near Gibbons. Brian Griffith was both employer and mentor to Matt, providing both the opportunity and leadership to develop his skills in both colt starting and Ranch Roping.
From Griffith Ranch Matt moved on to start his own colt starting and training business in Southern Alberta dividing his time between training in the summer and riding feedlot in the winter. It was during his time near Claresholm that he was introduced to Phil Martindale, Marty Gardner and Nick Reinhardt. With Years of experience between them and strong influences from such Legendary Horseman as Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt to name a few, these 3 horsemen had a profound impact on Matts approach to horsemanship.
In 2015 Matt went to work for Gary Armstrong and Family at the East and West Ranching Co.Ltd in Southeastern Alberta. Gary is an excellent cattleman and horseman with direct influence from Ray Hunt and multi-generational knowledge of ranching, horsemanship and stockmanship in the Cypress Hills.
From Fall 2017- present Matt has been an instructor in the Animal Science Technology Equine Major at Lakeland College, Vermillion Campus. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for teaching pertaining to cattle handling, working with young horses and starting horses on rope and cow work which he enjoys sharing with Lakeland students and anyone that is interested in furthering their horsemanship or stockmanship.
In the spring of 2017, Matt and Carolyn began dating after years of friendship that was sparked through a shared passion for quality horsemanship. They were soon engaged, then Married in the summer of 2020. With their son Boone being born and making horse training a family affair in the spring of 2021.
Carolyn grew up in the Cariboo region of British Columbia. From an early age Carolyn’s parents recognized her passion for horses and fostered her interest by enrolling Carolyn in 4-H and Pony Club, when she was 8 years old. While Carolyn initially started in Dressage and Jumping events, she ultimately transitioned into Barrel Racing and Roping in 2009.
Early Mentors of Carolyn’s include Carolyn Dobbs for Equestrian and Horse Showing events, Danny & Ty Lytton for roping and Anthony Lothian for Dressage and Jumping. Carolyn High School Rodeoed in Barrels, Poles, Team, and Brea-Away Roping events as well as Queen competitions.
After graduating High School Carolyn worked for the Blue Goose Cattle Company, under Marvin Monical for the summer looking after yearlings on their range near Lac la Hache in the South Cariboo. That Fall she went to Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alberta for the Vet Medical Assistant program. While at school in Vermilion she also competed in breakaway roping and barrels in the CIRA and was able to further her competition skills through the excellent mentorship from Coaches, Randy Smith and Rusty Rae Woodward.
Upon returning home to the Williams Lake area, Carolyn continued to compete in Barrels and Poles. During this time, she had the opportunity to practice and be mentored in roping by friend Cody Braaten.
Carolyn worked very hard to develop her horse training business, C2 performance horses, while also working a full-time day job. There were many days working well into the night training horses or practicing roping. Matt and Carolyn had maintained a friendship throughout the years since meeting at college, and it was during this time in her career that Matt came to Williams Lake in 2017 to help her start some colts. It was not long after that that the 2 decided to start their lives together.
Carolyn’s first experience of life with Matt came when they moved in together in the bunk house at the East and West Ranching Co. Ltd near Wildhorse AB. Matt Jokes that it was there that she passed her initiation. There was a lot of time spent together either fencing, haying, or working cattle…. chores that tend to test relationships.
In 2017 after Matt had a brief stint in the Oilpatch the Rustemeier’s moved to Vermilion Ab where Carolyn ultimately took a job for LIS, brand inspecting. In 2021 after the birth of their Son Boone, Carolyn moved home to Matts family farm near Morinville, AB to help her in-laws with their small cattle operation which provides a great platform for starting and training horses for Ranch and Arena Work. Carolyn’s innate grace and skill at understanding both horses and people make her a favorite amongst Clinic attendees and students in her lesson programs.
