Sierra Woods of Edmond, teamed up with fellow Oklahoman John Spencer from Claremore, to claim their World Championship title and $13,466 for sorting 36 head in 227.45 seconds across four rounds of the Hyer #11 Rookie on June 11, 2025, in Fort Worth.
For Woods, this year’s Cinch RSNC World Finals really began when she stepped into the spotlight, saxophone in hand, to perform the National Anthem on the first-ever Youth Finals Night on June 9. But by the end of the week, she returned to the spotlight for a different reason: earning her first World Champion title in the Hyer #11 Rookie class—a feat she accomplished aboard her 2008 sorrel mare, Callie Cats Meow (Smooth As A Cat x Anniversary Acre).
For the endeavor, Woods teamed up with veteran ranch sorter John Spencer, who claims more than $149,000 in career earnings. Connected at Joel Lesh’s Lazy J Arena in Stillwater, Spencer brought the mileage, and Woods proved she had the grit and cattle sense to match it. Their teamwork paid off in a big way, earning not just a win, but a serious boost to Woods’ rookie earnings.
“I think I walked away with around 12- or 13-grand,” Woods said, smiling, “which is halfway to the Bronze Hall of Fame.”
Spencer has competed everywhere from Reno to Vegas to Fort Worth, and while the travel and community are part of the appeal, it’s the feeling of a good run that keeps him coming back.
“You always get that feeling of accomplishment when you do well in the pen,” he said. “And if you don’t get that feeling, even after years of competing, you’re probably not doing it for the right reason.”
That mindset has carried him through years of hauling, learning new horses and riding with different partners. He’s no stranger to the pressure of big events, but he approaches each run with the same focus: ride clean, ride smart and do right by the horse.
This year, he brought four mounts to the Cinch RSNC World Finals—three of his own, and one borrowed from his father-in-law. To hold the gate during the championship round with Woods, Spencer employed Asturia (Sigala Rey x Tassa Mia Rey II), a 2017 Quarter Horse mare that has been a reliable part of his string since he picked her up a couple of years ago from Patrick Witham.
Woods wrapped up her time in Fort Worth on a high note, and she was already looking ahead to a possible rating bump and to whatever challenges come next.
When the idea of sorting in the #12 next year came up, she smiled and shrugged it off with a laugh.
“Guess I’ll have to be the one holding the gate for John next year,” she joked. “Just don’t bring me all the trash.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Spencer responded, grinning.
Before heading home later that night after taking home the win, Woods mentioned one small way she planned to celebrate: picking up a new pair of jeans.
Spencer, meanwhile, stayed on to compete in a few more classes, including the All Levels and the #12. With several solid horses still in the trailer and plenty of experience in the arena, he was focused on finishing the week strong.
Spencer and Woods hadn’t sorted together much before the Finals, but the event gave them the chance to make it count. For Woods, it was a breakout moment in her rookie season. For Spencer, another reminder of that accomplished feeling you get in the competition pen. And for both, it was the kind of run that makes the long hauls and late nights worth it.
This article appears in the Summer 2025 issue of The Ranch Sorter, featuring World Champion stories, event recaps, regional results, and more.
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