About Us

Picture of Sarah and Laurie in hats, smiling, during cross-country outing.

We LOVE training horses and coaching students!

Laurie Canty and Sarah Rune operate Canty Rune Training Stables in beautiful Oak View, California. Our barn is just 15 minutes from downtown Ventura and less than 10 minutes from downtown Ojai. We offer horse training and riding instruction in eventing, jumping, dressage, and all-around horsemanship. We've got some western clients too! We are most inspired when teaching people who are passionate about horses. Lessons are available for adults and kids, with your own horse or on one of our lovely school horses.

Our program has a goal-oriented approach so that all riders and horses are continually learning. We also help many riders achieve success in shows and other competitions. We emphasize safety, self-reliance, and fun!

Laurie May Canty riding a beautiful dark bay thoroughbred horse, posing majestically.

Experience & Innovation

Laurie May Canty has been a respected horse trainer and riding instructor in Southern California for almost five decades. She received her Instructor Certificate from the British Horse Society in 1970 after studying at the famed Burton Hall Equitation School in Ireland. With experience breaking young thoroughbreds and riding at the racetrack, she has been a longtime advocate in the retraining of off-the-track thoroughbreds (OTTBs).

Sarah Rune riding a lovely bay horse, wearing cross-country safety gear, with beautiful green fields

Empowerment & Passion

Sarah Rune grew up riding saddleseat and western, and came to the sports of eventing and dressage as an adult. Sarah loves to share her joy and knowledge with students of all ages, and is passionate about helping riders towards their goals.

Sarah was a student of Laurie Canty Training Stables for years, later becoming Assistant Trainer. Canty Rune Training Stables was established in May 2018 when Laurie Canty tapped Sarah Rune to take over the day to day responsibilities of training and coaching. Laurie continues to train select clients and provide ongoing mentorship to Sarah, while also enjoying semi-retirement.

About our sports

Eventing

Formerly "Combined Training," the sport of eventing is the triathlon of horse sports, where the same horse and rider pair compete in the 3 phases of dressage, cross country jumping, and show jumping, with cumulative scoring. Horses and riders must be well-rounded athletes, demonstrating harmony, bravery, and agility.

Dressage

Dressage is often likened to ballet or ballroom dancing, though its roots are in military training. The horse and rider perform specific patterns in a specialized arena, judged on individual components and the overall performance.

Jumping

Jumping has various competitive avenues, from hunters to jumpers to derbies and more. Fundamental skills, such as rhythm, straightness, and balance, are found in all jumping disciplines and at all obstacle heights and types.

All-Around Horsemanship & Western

Many of our students ride in additional disciplines including western, trail riding, and non-competitive or "pleasure" riding. We pride ourselves in supporting riders in a variety of goals, and fostering a collective of true horsemen who care for the horses' health and well-being.

RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS We Work With

Thoroughbred Rehab Center, Inc.

Laurie Canty has been retraining off-the-track thoroughbreds from this non-profit for over 20 years, and we continue to work with them regularly today. TBRCI does a wonderful job of placing horses, and works within the racing industry to provide a "soft landing" for these amazing athletes.

Visit TBRCI's Site

California Coastal Horse Rescue

We are proud to have clients that are volunteers or have adopted wonderful horses from this organization. CCHR helps horses of all breeds and backgrounds, adopting out horses when suitable and also providing long-term sanctuary to disables and elderly horses. They truly care about compatibility to ensure long-term success for both their horses and the adoptive families.

Visit CCHR's Site