Colby Lovell experienced many sleepless nights on his long journey to the top. The 33-year-old Mad

The 33-year-old Madisonville native, now a World Champion Team Roper, has worked tirelessly his entire life for the right to call himself just that. Now, after a gutsy performance in the final three rounds of the National Finals Rodeo in Arlington, he has the gold buckle to back it up.

“You have to believe you are the best in the world to end up the best in the world,” said Lovell, who first and foremost credits his vast support system for the successes he earned in Arlington alongside his heeler and longtime friend, Paul Eaves, and his trusty horse, Bartender.

Despite an impressive slate of victories by Lovell and Eaves throughout 2020, the header was still haunted by coming up just short of his ultimate goal at the 2015 NFR in Las Vegas. This year, with the rodeo relocating to Texas due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he had a shot at redemption with the eyes of the world, and his countless supporters near and far upon him.

“I knew when it came to Round 10, if they gave me a chance, it was over,” said Lovell. “I had complete faith in my horse and my partner and I knew that if we got a chance, if it fell right, I was not going to mess it up. I know what it feels like to mess it up, I did in (2015), and I never forgot that feeling. Now I can just let it go. It’s surreal.”

After tying for first place in Round Nine with a run of 3.8 seconds, Lovell was driving home from the arena with his 15-year-old son, Levi. The two then began figuring the stats and realized they just might have a chance to win the world title.

“If I won (Round 10), and things fell right, I was going to win by $400-500,” said Lovell. “I got off the phone and I gave Levi a high five and said, ‘I’m going to do it, buddy.’”

His run of 4.4 seconds in Round 10 confirmed the promise he made to his son and propelled him to the top of the world stage. Lovell, his wife Kassidy and their children, Levi and Jewel (age six), returned home where the journey first began with the coveted gold buckle, and a $187,835.57 payout.

He also came home to more than 600 texts in his inbox and thousands of Facebook messages from admirers around the world.

“Finishing the whole journey that I started when I was 10-12 years old, roping the dummy and telling myself we need to get (4.4 seconds) to win the world, I cannot tell you how many times I did that,” said Lovell. “Or how many steers I have ran or how many horses I have gone through to get to this one horse that fits me and gives me everything he has every time.”

The dream that began in Madisonville when he was a boy has now been realized and countless locals stood behind him every step of the way. He credits this constant support throughout the process for instilling the confidence needed to carry him across the finish line.

“Words don’t describe that,” said Lovell. “There’s not a better feeling than getting to enjoy this with the people of Madisonville and knowing people here knew what was taking place and were behind me. You know you’re roping for yourself but you actually feel like you’re roping for your town and your community.”

The fact that the events took place in his home state of Texas and getting to see so many familiar faces in the crowd made it all the more special for Lovell.

“I had so many friends and family that would text or call me,” said Lovell. “I dang near would respond to everyone. If you take the time to come watch me, I can take the time to answer the phone and let you know that I appreciate what y’all have done. When you’re in the mix of the battle like that and you got the whole world pulling from different angles at you, it means a lot. When I backed in there for that 10th round, I had so many people contact me and say, ‘hey, you got a chance.’”

Lovell and Eaves came roaring back by finishing first in Rounds Eight-10 after failing to place in Rounds One, Three, Four, Five and Seven. Eaves’ total winnings in Arlington amounted to $178,485.97.

Since earning the world title, Lovell has remained in his home or on his property in Madisonville to let the experience sink in. He is looking forward to returning to town to offer his gratitude to the countless individuals who have offered their support.