Dusten Litton is making a name for himself in the rodeo world through Deep South Little Britches. In his first year competing, he won the Junior Boys Rookie of the Year national title with the National Little Britches Rodeo Association, and he has continued to build on that success.

Now in his second year of Deep South Little Britches competition, Dusten has once again qualified for nationals in all four of his events: team roping, ribbon roping, breakaway roping and goat tying. Going into the national finals, he is sitting in the top 15 nationwide in team roping, top 7 nationwide in ribbon roping and top 20 nationwide in breakaway. The finals will be held in Oklahoma City in July.

Dusten earned several top finishes including Team Roping Champion Header and Reserve All-Around Junior Cowboy Champion. He also earned Reserve Ribbon Roping Champion, Reserve Chute Dogging Champion, and finished third in goat tying and in breakaway. 

Deep South Little Britches is part of the National Little Britches Rodeo Association and provides young cowboys and cowgirls the opportunity to compete, earn points and qualify for the national finals. The program focuses on developing rodeo skills, work ethic and sportsmanship while preparing competitors for higher levels of competition.

Dusten’s success does not come by accident. He practices daily, ropes and rides every chance he gets, and works cattle regularly. He also helps each week at the family owned sale barn in Carthage and continues to train young horses. This year, he plans to break and ride a two-year-old colt given to him by George Lormand of Lormand Performance Horses in Hall Summit. The two have big plans for the colt.

Dusten has been riding since he was 3 years old, and according to his family, he has had a rope in his hand since he could walk. The 12-year-old son of Bo and Tiffany Litton, his determination, work ethic and love for rodeo continue to push him forward as he prepares to compete on the national stage again this summer.