Direct Answer
Miss Rodeo America 2026, Olivia Favero, sat down at Speck Buick GMC of Tri-Cities to discuss her journey from fan to national representative, her non-stop travel schedule, her farming background, and the real-world responsibility she built through 4-H and horsemanship.
Olivia’s time in 4-H serves as the practical core of her story. Taking care of an animal every single morning and evening taught her consistency, time management, self-assurance, and accountability long before she ever competed for a national title.
How 4-H Built Skills That Carried Into the Crown
Beginning around age 10, Olivia’s 4-H horse club taught horsemanship, animal science, goal setting, and personal responsibility. Those lessons became part of the foundation behind Miss Rodeo America 2026.
Animal care creates non-negotiable accountability
A horse, steer, pig, or sheep cannot be put away like sports equipment. Daily care continues before school, after practice, and during busy weeks, teaching young people to plan around a living responsibility.
From Rodeo Fan to Miss Rodeo America 2026
Olivia grew up near Ogden, Utah, on family farmland surrounded by horses. Attending Ogden Pioneer Days introduced her to rodeo and sparked her dream of competing in the Miss Rodeo Utah pageant.
Winning the crown in Las Vegas
The eight-day national pageant tested contestants with back-to-back evaluations without phones or family contact.
An inclusive winning message
Reaching the top five, Olivia was asked how she would welcome new spectators into the sport. Drawing on her own roots as a fan, she explained that you don’t have to ride in the arena to belong in the rodeo family—a heartfelt answer that secured her win as Miss Rodeo America 2026.
Life on the Road as Miss Rodeo America 2026
Managing a full-year commitment: Serving as Miss Rodeo America 2026 involves visiting dozens of rodeos, meeting sponsors, attending community events, and maintaining a intense travel schedule. Her favorite part is seeing how volunteers, committees, and athletes collaborate to support the sport.
Saddle bronc riding: She loves watching the power of the horses and the finesse cowboys bring to their rides.
Mutton busting: Riding a sheep as a young girl was her very first rodeo experience, giving her a soft spot for the event.
First Trip to the Tri-Cities and the GMC Denali
Visiting the Benton-Franklin Fair & Rodeo marked Olivia’s first trip to Washington. She was excited to tour the livestock barns, meet local families, and see youth fair projects firsthand. During her stay, Speck Buick GMC provided a GMC Denali for her travels, prompting a lighthearted chat with hosts Frank Murillo and Ally Moore about long-haul driving. Her road-trip staples remain simple: beef jerky during layovers and plenty of hot or iced tea.
Agriculture and Farmland Protection
Olivia spoke passionately about protecting family farms from urban development, passing along her father’s lesson to choose what is right over what is easy. Supporting agriculture means backing the farmers who continue working through weather challenges, rising costs, and market uncertainty.
What’s Next for Olivia Favero?
Beyond her duties as Miss Rodeo America 2026, Olivia is finishing a communications degree with an emphasis in public relations and plans to use her sponsor work toward an internship. She is also a licensed cosmetologist with additional pageant scholarships available for her future studies.
Watch the full Miss Rodeo America interview
Check out the full video interview with Speck Buick GMC of Tri-Cities. Hear more from Miss Rodeo America 2026 about her national travels, agricultural values, and time behind the wheel of the GMC Denali.
Watch the full interview here.
Supporting the local rodeo community
Speck Buick GMC of Tri-Cities is proud to support the Benton-Franklin Fair & Rodeo and the hard-working people who keep our region’s agricultural and Western traditions thriving.
Bottom Line
The title of Miss Rodeo America 2026 represents far more than a crown. Olivia Favero’s journey brings together rodeo fandom, nationwide travel, 4-H accountability, farmland preservation, higher education, and the ongoing work of welcoming new fans to the sport.
Related reading on dealsofdreams.com: The Sunnyside Dealership Legacy Behind Speck Motors; Work Trucks Built for Washington Farmers.
