Owners

Bill Basler and Mary Sharp-Basler

Due West Ranch was founded in 2004 by Bill Basler on 80 acres in western Wyandotte County, Kansas. His goal was to develop a family-friendly, multi-discipline boarding facility. Since this welcoming atmosphere drew boarders from all over the Kansas City metropolitan area, the Ranch continued to grow and necessitated the addition of barns and larger arenas.

Mary Sharp brought her lesson program and talented herd to Due West Ranch in May of 2011. She built on the program with the addition of camps and the Not Summer Horse Show Series.

With their combined efforts and passion for their Due West family, the ranch became well-known for excellence in horse care, well-rounded rider education, and multi-discipline events, all while implementing the highest safety standards for horse and rider.

In June of 2015, Due West Ranch relocated two miles down the road to a beautiful 40-acre property. This allowed for expansion and a focus on providing horse owners and riders with positive, safe equine activities in multiple disciplines.

Barn Manager & Western Trainer

Danielle Saggars

Danielle Saggars is an Ohio native who grew up riding in the all around and Quarter Horse events. She was very active in 4-H and mentoring younger riders in her club. Danielle was recruited to ride for South Dakota State University on a Division 1 NCAA Equestrian Team where she traveled and competed in both Horsemanship and Reining.

Danielle completed an internship with Shane Brown Performance Horses in Elbert, Colorado to broaden her knowledge in reining and starting young horses. She completed a degree in Agricultural Science from South Dakota State University before moving to Kansas City in 2016.

Upon arrival in Kansas City, Danielle worked for the American Royal Association as the Equine Event Manager where she oversaw all equine activities and shows during the fall season.

Danielle also gives lessons at Due West Ranch specializing in all around, western, and beginner riders.

Resident Dressage Trainer

Katelyn Kok – KV Dressage

Katelyn is a USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist, L Grad with Distinction and FEI rider/coach. She has worked with and trained under some of the USA’s most respected trainers including Pam Goodrich and Lendon Gray as well as Europe’s most respected including Johann Hinnemann. She has spent several years in Germany riding and learning the art of Dressage from a Master Trainer. She has kept the pursuit of education close to her heart and knows to be successful in this sport you must continuously seek knowledge and be a lifelong student as well as a kind and attentive caregiver of horses.

Katelyn has many successes under her belt already; among several USDF Regional Championships, she was the anchor rider in 2011 for Region 8 at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships and helped her team win the bronze medal and also was fifth individual. In 2013 she returned to the North American Junior Young Rider Championships and the Festival of Champions. Katelyn ended that year as one of the top 12 Young Riders in the country with a horse she brought to Prix Saint George herself under the tutelage of Pam Goodrich and Lendon Grey. In recent years Katelyn has earned her USDF Gold Medal, L Grad with Distinction, competed several horses at the US Dressage Finals as well as the Markel Young Horse Dressage Championships and helped her students achieve many goals in their riding!

In Germany Katelyn was the second rider for a successful international Grand Prix Rider and mentored under a Master Bereiter. She rode everything from stallions to Grand Prix horses to youngsters just getting their start in Dressage. She gained valuable experience by training sales projects and working with misbehaving horses. The experience she gained in Europe riding high quality horses and through learning Germany’s training system gives Katelyn an advantage and a unique approach in training her clients and horses in the USA.

Katelyn is currently available for training, sales and lessons in Kansas City. She is one of only a few FEI riders willing to back young prospects and start them in their Dressage careers. She enjoys helping riders of all levels of riding and has a well rounded sales program helping horses and riders find their ideal match!