About Us

Bert and Lori Hornback, Owners

    Bert is from the heart of Kentucky horse country but had no affiliation with horses until he met Lori in 1987.  He moved to California in 1969 after receiving his BSEE from the University of Kentucky and MSEE from Purdue,  working as an Engineering Manager for Rockwell, Hughes and Northrop Grumman. 

    Lori is from the heart of Michigan dairy country where she was raised with horses & cattle. She aspired to one day become a veterinarian and horse breeder, but her aptitudes in electronics lead her instead through two successful tours of duty as a Navigational Systems Specialist in the USAF.   Lori left service in 1986 to take a job with Northrop Grumman in California where she moved to raise her two daughters so they could be close to her  favorite family members.  That is where she met Bert.    

    Bert & Lori married in 1990 and with the gift of a special mare from Lori’s uncle, Gil Arena, began raising Quarter Horses from their first ranch in Trabuco Canyon, CA.  About that same time, they both became Corporate Directors for a cutting edge Microelectronics company, Irvine Sensors Corporation, where they continue to hold key roles in the development and manufacturing of some of the most advanced microelectronics and sensor technologies in the world.   They have completed construction on their second California ranch in the Lakeview Mountains of Southern California. 

With Close Family

Gil Arena (my Dear Uncle), Sharon (my mother), Lori (me),

Bert (my exceptional husband), Patty  & Jimmy Kozik (my very special Aunt & Uncle) 

California Ranch

Ranch shown covered in snow for the first time since 1957 top - 11/21/04  

Ranch sits in the Lakeview Mountains in Southern California

Our Support Team

Runaway Creek has long standing relationships with a number of very talented independent contractors that take great care of our horses, our clients horses and  keep our operation running smoothly.   We have named a few key individuals below.

California

Lori Hornback, Operations/Breeding Manager    (951) 966-7689

Bert Hornback, Facilities Manager   (951) 966-7694

    Justin Fiscus, Ranch Manager -

Starting,  Cutting & Ranch Horse Trainer  760-855-5483

Darin Baber, Farrier      

Gina Schwartz,  Asst. Operations Manager   

Sheila Murphy,  Asst. Reproduction Manager

John Etchart, DVM  - Reproduction Veterinarian

Mike Hoge, DVM - Performance Horse Veterinarian

Colorado

Tim Unzicker , Reined Cow Horse Trainer 

Mom spoiling the mares (w/Reminics Pic)