LEVI BABB

The Babb Family

SPOTLIGHT: LEVI BABB  

Out in Alpine, Texas, Levi Babb lives a life built on purpose, family, and a whole lot of miles.
By day, he works for the Texas General Land Office, helping manage hunting and grazing leases across the state. The work contributes to the Permanent School Fund, supporting Texas schools, while also generating funding for veterans programs. It is meaningful work, and work he genuinely enjoys.
But like most in this game, the day does not end when the job is done. It just shifts.

Levi and his wife, Haley, have built a life where roping is not separate from family, it is part of it. The two met during their time at Angelo State University, and nearly 20 years later, they are raising their two boys, Rode and Riggin, in the same lifestyle they both grew up in.
Rode, 16, is competing in high school rodeo, while Riggin, 10, has recently started turning live cattle. Evenings are spent at the arena, not just practicing, but resetting after the day.

Levi has been in the roping world since junior high. High school rodeo carried him forward, and like a lot of ropers, it never really let go. Over time, the focus shifted, but the commitment stayed the same.
In 2017, he placed 5th in Las Vegas at the World Series, a moment that still stands out in his career. Now, the 40 Plus ropings have become a part of his schedule, offering a different kind of opportunity.
“You’re going to have a chance to win a lot of money.”
Those ropings also come with another advantage. They are efficient, competitive, and to the point.
“You’re not there all day. It’s not a marathon.”
That balance matters when you are juggling work, family, and a sport that takes time, hard work, and miles. Levi notes the incredible people who produce the 40 Plus ropings from the office to the chutes and is grateful to have ropings closer to their part of Texas as the association has expanded.

This past year tested that balance.
A back surgery in May of 2025 sidelined Levi through the heart of the season, keeping him out from May through September. Instead of competing, he spent that time watching from the sidelines, supporting his boys and staying connected to the sport in a different way.
“It makes you hungry when you come back and you kind of get to refocus.”
By the time the 40 Plus Team Roping Finals came around in Hamilton, TX at Circle T Arena, Levi was ready.
He picked up two checks and won the Shootout Incentive alongside Sam Hardcastle. But what stood out most was not just the win, it was who he won it with. Mr. Hardcastle's joy and excitement was contagious and really made the win special.
Moments like that are what define these ropings.
They are competitive, but they are also about the people and the team roping partners who become part of the family.

“I’m super excited about the current horse that I’m riding. He’s probably one of the best I’ve ever owned.” -Levi

At the center of Levi’s program right now is a horse named Joker. He came from Travis Davidson out of Ozona, TX. Levi has bought several horses from Travis over the years which is such a testament to the quality of horses Travis raises.
Levi has owned Joker since he was a two-year-old, and he has developed over time into a dependable, high-level horse. In a sport where the margin for error is small, having the right horse makes all the difference.
Joker has proven to be the superstar it takes to be competitive in this sport. He is not just a winning horse, he is a family horse. One that Levi, Haley, and their boys can all ride whether it’s in the arena or out pushing cattle.
That kind of horse does not come easy. Joker has risen to the occasion several times, especially for Levi and Rode and that alone makes him worth his weight in gold.

At its core, Levi’s story is not about one win, one horse, or one season.
It is about consistency and slowing down to enjoy the really cool parts of the journey along the way.
It is about building a life where work matters, family comes first, and the arena being a place to come back to and unwind, day after day.
Because for Levi Babb, roping is not just a sport. It is part of the foundation. Something that connects generations, builds relationships, and keeps everyone moving in the same direction.
And moving forward, his plan is clear.
Keep showing up. Keep competing.
Because when something is built right, you stay with it.
And if you are doing it alongside your family, it's that much better.