The dynamic duo out-sorted 108 other teams to claim the top prize, sorting 24 head of cattle in 172.09 seconds across three rounds. It was a big moment for one of the sport’s youngest competitors, who made it back to the championship round with three teams. That feat alone would be impressive, but it was just the beginning.
Teamwork Across Generations
Trentyn Freiheit, aboard “JJ” who he’d been riding for just a week, competed with multiple partners throughout the class, including Cody Ward, Logan Wolfe, his dad, Travis, and Joel Lesh. But it was his run with Lesh that took the win.
“That’s a lot of money,” Freiheit exclaimed when EQN Sports Desk interviewer Amy Wheatley showed him how much money he and Lesh won.
Conversely, Lesh is no stranger to success as the leading ranch sorter in Cinch RSNC lifetime earnings. Still, it was the youth riders like Freiheit that brought him back to this class year after year.
“It’s a great class to ride,” Lesh said. “The kids, they’re all wanting to excel. And like Trentyn said, he’s only been riding that horse a week, but he’s comfortable on it. His experience riding, and there were four or five of his little buddies—they made it back to the finals, too—and they were all just cheering each other on.”
The Future is Bright
That camaraderie is what makes the Youth Beginner/Adult Gate class a fan favorite.
“It’s the same thing the open riders do,” Lesh added. “That camaraderie is good. And to see the kids just excelling like that… we got four or five in that youth class that I can see them excel into open riders fast.”
Asked who his favorite partner to ride with is, Freiheit didn’t hesitate: “Probably my dad.”
But he had high praise for Lesh too. When prompted to share anything else with his gate partner, Freiheit added, “I really liked the way that you stopped the cows for me.”
With role models like Lesh and his dad, and talent already shining at just 8 years old, Freiheit’s future in ranch sorting looks bright.
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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