Joel Lesh and Julia Sfera made the most of a familiar partnership Friday, Aug. 21, sorting 28 head in 161.11 seconds to win the Cinch #13 Gold Shootout and $5,574 at the 2026 Cinch RSNC Northeast Circuit Finals in Columbiana, Ohio.
A Proven Team
Lesh, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Sfera, of Glen Head, New York, already knew what it was like to work together before they stepped into the arena in Columbiana. The two ride together when they can, making the decision to partner for the shootout an easy one.
“I like riding with Joel,” Sfera said. “He’s fun to ride with.”
That familiarity carried them to the final round, where the team focused on staying smooth rather than trying to force the win.
“We just wanted to start off smooth at first,” Sfera said. “It didn’t matter if we won, we just wanted to get a check. My plan was just to listen to whatever Joel told me to do.”
Sfera also had confidence in the horse underneath her: Whos Dat Rey (Dual Smart Rey x Who Dat Kitty), a 2016 gelding who has become her go-to partner.
“His name’s ‘Hootie’—he’s my favorite horse,” Sfera said. “You put him where you want him and he just does it, he’s perfect. He does everything I ask him and never says no. He’s just a great all-around horse.”
#13 Success
The Cinch #13 Gold Shootout has become a particularly strong class for Lesh. It began in 2024, when he won the class with Arielle Weeast at the All-Star Super Sort in Las Vegas. Last season, he claimed more Cinch #13 Gold Shootout titles at the inaugural Cinch RSNC Dixie National Super Sort in Jackson, Mississippi, with Harper Grace Pierce and again at the 2026 Cinch RSNC South Central Regional Super Sort in Waco, Texas, in May, alongside Tucker Field. Now, winning with Sfera marks the first Gold Shootout win of his 2026–2027 season.
The high-reward payout from the Gold Shootout class played a key role in Lesh’s move to No. 2 with $12,588 earned in the Open division of the Holiday Auto Group Challenge of the Champions, taking the lead over Chris Mangold by a mere $41. As the highest earning ranch sorter in RSNC history, Lesh is likely to be in sincere pursuit of that No. 1 position, currently held by Hunter Brzymialkiewicz who maintains a hefty lead at $25,376.
For Sfera, the Cinch #13 Gold Shootout was just one piece of an impressive weekend in Columbiana. She also won the All Levels with Nelson Mas, earning $2,892 for the team, and the #14 Ranch Hand with Kai Clark, with whom she won $1,848.
“It was amazing,” Sfera said. “I won the first class and I was like, ‘Oh, this is great.’ It started my weekend off strong, and then I won two more. Overall, it was a great weekend.”
Sfera began competing with Cinch RSNC in 2022, and her success at the Northeast Circuit Finals moved her into third place in the Amateur division of the Holiday Auto Group Challenge of the Champions standings.