About Sagebrush N Saddles | Horse Riding Lessons & Horsemanship in Northern Utah

Learn about Sagebrush N Saddles, offering horse riding lessons, horsemanship training, and equine services in Northern Utah. Led by experienced instructors focused on connection, confidence, and horse-first learning.

Who We Are

  • At Sagebrush N Saddles, our approach to horsemanship is rooted in communication, patience, and understanding. We focus on developing both the rider and the horse through clear fundamentals that build confidence, balance, and trust over time.

    We teach both Western and English riding, with a primary focus on Western horsemanship. Many students begin with groundwork or even bareback work to develop feel, awareness, and connection before progressing into more structured riding.

    Every lesson is tailored to the individual rider and horse. Instead of a one-size-fits-all system, we adjust to the needs, comfort level, and goals of each partnership.

    Our goal is simple: create capable, confident riders who understand horses—not just ride them.

  • Everything we do at Sagebrush N Saddles is guided by a few core values:

    Connection over control
    We believe true horsemanship begins with understanding, not force.

    Safety and confidence first
    Both horse and rider should feel secure, supported, and respected in every session.

    Learning at the horse’s pace
    Progress should never come at the expense of the horse’s well-being or mindset.

    Independence with support
    Our goal is to prepare riders to eventually work confidently on their own, while always having guidance available when needed.

    Respect for the horse as a partner
    Every horse is treated as an individual with their own way of thinking, learning, and communicating.

    These values shape every lesson, every interaction, and every horse we work with.

  • Sagebrush N Saddles was built from over two decades of hands-on experience working with horses in real-world environments—from ranch work and trail guiding to youth instruction and horsemanship development.

    What started as time spent simply working with horses gradually evolved into a deeper understanding of the relationship between horse and rider—and how much confidence, clarity, and communication matters in that partnership.

    The goal behind Sagebrush N Saddles has always been simple: to help riders become capable, confident horse people who understand not just how to ride, but how to truly work with horses in a safe and meaningful way.

    That mission continues to guide everything we do today.

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Meet Rye

Sagebrush N Saddles is led by Rye DeLaet, who brings over 20 years of experience working with horses and nearly a decade of teaching riding and horsemanship.

Rye studied Equine Science at Southern Utah University and has spent years developing hands-on experience through multiple professional roles, including:

  • Horse camp counselor for Girl Scouts (3 years)

  • Trail guide at a large-scale working ranch

  • Mentorship under experienced horse professionals, trainers, and equine business owners

This blend of academic study and real-world experience shapes a practical, well-rounded approach to horsemanship that prioritizes both horse welfare and rider development.

Our Team

Sagebrush N Saddles is supported by a small, dedicated team of instructors and horse professionals:

Katie D’Agostini – Head Trainer
Katie brings leadership and advanced instruction experience, helping guide both horses and riders through structured development and training.

Brock Schade – Instructor
Brock works directly with students to develop riding fundamentals, confidence, and practical horsemanship skills.

Gage Salas – Instructor in Training
Gage is developing his instruction skills under supervision, assisting with lessons and hands-on horse experience.

Together, our team is focused on providing safe, consistent, and high-quality instruction for every rider.

What Sets Us Apart

At Sagebrush N Saddles, every student journey begins with clear goals and a student-led approach. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all lesson structure—instead, we work at the pace of each rider with comfortable pressure, allowing students to truly understand what they’re doing rather than just being told. Our instruction focuses on feel, awareness, and communication between horse and rider, with less correction and more learning through experience.

Our goal is to rebuild what we believe is becoming a lost art: true horsemanship. We measure success by growth, not retention. Students are supported in becoming confident, independent horse people who are capable of owning and caring for their own horses. When goals are achieved, new ones are set—or students move on with the confidence that they always have a place to return for guidance. Every rider’s success is defined individually, and our role is to help them get there.

From the very first lesson, students are involved in the full process of horsemanship. That means catching, grooming, and preparing their horse before ever stepping into the saddle. Most riders begin bareback when appropriate, helping them develop balance and confidence from the start. What surprises most new students is how relaxed the environment is—there is no pressure, no drama, and no expectation of perfection, just steady progress and real learning.