National Little Britches World Champion: Connor Griffith

Connor Griffith’s goal going into the 2022 NLBFR was to win three saddles, including the bareback riding title that had eluded him two years in a row. The 18-year-old, who is originally from Skullbone, Tennessee, accomplished that goal and then some, winning the Finals all-around, ribbon roping, tie-down roping, bareback riding, and all-around world titles in the senior boy division.
Connor practiced persistently leading up to the Finals, but says his success after that came from his hectic schedule, competing in every event but bull riding. “I couldn’t think about anything because I was running back and forth nonstop. It helped me to my advantage because all I had to do was one event at a time, and if I messed up a bit at one, I couldn’t get upset about it because I had another event and they were waiting on me in the next arena. I was extremely exhausted but I just kept pushing through. My last event was steer wrestling, and I ran fast to get to it. My buddy was throwing on my back number while I ran. I was so winded when I got on my horse that all I could think about was getting off. I was a 4.5 on the steer. It was definitely the best year I’ve had at the Little Britches Finals, and I really got my mind right when I saw I could accomplish that. I’ve started setting bigger goals every year and now that’s all I’m thinking about.”
Now a freshman at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Connor is attending on a rodeo scholarship and studying Ag. business. He toured the school following the NLBFR and lives with horse trainer and tie-down roper Bob Abernathy. “I love the coach (Justin Browning) and I love my school,” says Connor, who is competing in bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and team roping. Along with practicing with the team, he ropes daily with Bob Abernathy, who competed in The American. “There’s so much opportunity down here to be the best you can possibly be. Every rodeo you go to now, there’s going to be at least five guys that made the NFR in our region, and that makes you want to step it up. There are kids in the school that are pro rodeoing and placing in the top 25—30 in the world, and being surrounded by them every day and rodeoing with them will eventually make you better.”
Connor attributes his work ethic to the example his mom, Christina Griffith, has set for him. “My mom is a very hard-working woman and has taught me throughout life how to get through things. Even if you don’t have as much as somebody else, you train that horse and work with what you have. She motivates me to be better and she has taught me that hard work can pay off. It might take a while or be a rough time, but it will pay off.” Connor also looks up to his friend Sam Smith, whom he lived with in Alabama for several summers while competing in amateur rodeos and Little Britches. “He’s the man who helped me be where I am today, and he’s pretty much the dad figure. One of the greatest things is that I met him through Little Britches, and ever since then, he took me in and helped me a lot with my roping and being a better guy.”
Competing in Little Britches since 2014 has also impacted Connor, both in life lessons and in rodeo. “The main thing is that no matter who you’re around, be the same person, and be humble about it. If it’s a little kid, you were once in their shoes, and everyone has to start somewhere,” says Connor, who served on the NLBRA National Youth Board for three years. He plans to rodeo in Little Britches another season and qualify for the NLBFR. “There’s so much opportunity now with scholarships, and that is an extremely big help when you get to college.”
With 40 saddles to his name, including his 2022 IFYR Bareback Riding Champion saddle, Connor continues to set higher goals. “In our region, my goal is to win the all-around and make the college finals. That’s a very different level of goal, but if you set them little and not too hard, it’s not a goal. I know it will take a lot of work and struggle, but I’m going to fight through it. And my goal after this year is to get on my (PRCA) permit. I want to stay around here and work on myself. There are so many opportunities to be great around here and get prepared. Then I can go to a pro rodeo and feel confident about it.”