De Rust Equestrian

We are a boutique training yard at the foot of the Magaliesberg in Hartbeespoort, specialising in the ethical backing, schooling and production of young sport horses. Our owner and head trainer, Luke Compaan, has over two decades in the industry and works in a calm, structured way built on trust, confidence and willingness.

Luke came up through two of South Africa’s top warmblood sport horse breeding farms, Callaho Stud and Capital Stud, where he learned young horse development and foundation training. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology, which shapes the way he reads both horse and rider, and he is particularly well regarded for his work with difficult or misunderstood horses, the ones needing a second chance, a gentler start or a slower and more considered approach.

We start and produce young sport horses for a range of disciplines, back and re-back horses in a calm and systematic environment, rehabilitate horses with behavioural challenges or trauma, retrain off the track thoroughbreds for new careers, and coach riders of all levels with a focus on balance, feel and partnership.

Good training is never rushed. Success comes from consistency, clarity and mutual respect between horse and human, whether we are preparing a young horse for the show ring or helping a rider build a more connected partnership.