DILLON — The spoils of hard work and hours of practice, Polson’s Lee and Wyatt Lytton captured three trophy saddles on Aug. 18 and 19 at the Wrangler Team Roping Championships in Dillon. 

DILLON — The spoils of hard work and hours of practice, Polson’s Lee and Wyatt Lytton captured three trophy saddles on Aug. 18 and 19 at the Wrangler Team Roping Championships in Dillon. 

The father-son team also picked up $2,000 in the process, as well as additional prizes.

Wyatt picked up the first of their three victories in the No. 5 roping event with his partner from the State Rodeo earlier this year, Carson King of Dillon. 

The two posted a 26.50-second average to take home the top prize.

Wyatt then teamed up with his father in the No. 4 roping event, which was a winning combination as well, as they won the event with an average of 24.58. 

“It is an exciting feeling, especially when you win with your dad,” Wyatt said. “It was fun.”

However, Lee knows that none of it would have been possible without the right amount of practice and the right mindset.

“It was a culmination of hard work,” Lee said. “[Rodeo] is 5 percent talent and 95 percent mental, it’s mostly attitude. Anybody can do this if they work hard and want to do it.”

The tandem also took away more than saddles and prizes from the event, finding valuable meaning in what the event represented.

“I think one of the big things [to learn from the experience], and the most important, is people helping people,” Lee said. 

The two have received “hours and coaching and support” from Tim Bagnell and Cliff and Lisa Milliron, helping them “reach their goals and dreams.”

“They were always there, always helping,” Lee said. 

The event was also a reminder of the importance of family and friends, according to Lee.

“It was put together to support working class people that can’t travel,” Lee said. “It’s family roping with family and friends roping with friends, enjoying the rewards. It’s a league of its own.”

Being able to compete with one’s children is something that Lee hopes every parent gets a chance to do, as his experience with Wyatt has been very gratifying.

“We encourage families to spend time with their kids while they still can,” Lee said. “I think the joy of that is huge.”