FORT WORTH, Texas ― Qualifying for the World Finals is a "dream come true" for Matt Triplett.
Finishing the year ranked 35th in the world standings is a sense of accomplishment for the Columbia Falls, Mont, native, after being ranked 40th just three weeks ago.
Triplett had the best finish of his Built Ford Tough Series career in Grand Rapids, Mich., when he went 3-for-3 and finished third in the average. The 601.25 points he earned that weekend were enough to eventually solidify himself a spot in the Finals draw and a trip to Las Vegas.
"It's been a rough year going to (those) Touring Pro (Division events), winning here and there and having slumps," Triplett said. "But I finally battled through and came to Grand Rapids, (Mich.), and rode all three of my three bulls, which really helped me in the standings."
Triplett won an early-season TPD event in New Town, N.D., and then again in early August when he won an event in Missoula, Mont.
His 1,664.93 points earned from TPD events coupled with 1,162.5 points gives him 2,827.43 total points.
He competed in a career-best eight BFTS events this year, compared to two in both 2012 and 2010. It's been a career with a fair share of ups and down before Triplett recently made a slow, steady climb in the world standings with the hopes of qualifying for the Finals.
Even now, until the official announcement is made, Triplett still says "hope" and added, "I'll be tickled to death" to compete among the Top 35 professional bull riders in the world.
In recent weeks he's been traveling with Ryan Dirteater, and following the BFTS event in Fayetteville, N.C., they went to Oklahoma where they trained and got on practice bulls.
Triplett said he feels good going into the Finals.
Last year, he competed in the ABBI Wild Card event at South Point Hotel in Las Vegas and then went to the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday night to watch the third round of the World Finals. Despite having been in that atmosphere, he's experienced enough to know that thinking about competing there and actually competing in that environment are two separate things all together.
"I think getting on that plane to Vegas knowing I made it and knowing I don't have to go to that ABBI deal, actually knowing I can ride at the World Finals instead of having to go to the Touring Pros is going to be a huge change for me," Triplett said. "I'm pretty stoked for it."
"I told myself if I work hard it would be a dream come true, and now it's a reality."
Triplett, who called his parents ― Pat and Kari Triplett ― a "true asset" to his career, gives a great deal of credit for his success to Beau Hill.
He grew up five minutes away from Hill and looked up to him throughout his childhood and development as a bull rider.
The PBR veteran, who has battled a series of injuries in the latter years of his career, is a fellow Montana native and invited Triplett to travel with him a few summers ago when they hit the road competing at TPD events.
"The biggest thing he ever did for me was just letting me go with him," said Triplett. "It was awesome. He was showing me the ropes and teaching me and just always being there for me."
"He just made me feel good."
They haven't spoken recently, but Triplett hasn't forgotten Hill's advice and help he's received through the years as he traversed his way from amateur status to pro status, and eventually from the TPD to the BFTS.
Being among the top riders ― two-time defending World Champion Silvano Alves and J.B. Mauney ― is a weekly reminder to "step up and train a little harder."
It's also a reminder that he's not only a professional athlete, but an elite athlete who is expected to compete for event wins and regularly ride the rankest bulls in the world.
He admits, at times, the reality hasn't sunk in.
But, when asked if he's confident in his abilities, Triplett replied, "Yeah, I feel like I can compete here, as long as I keep training and work hard."
Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC