Behind the Laughter: Meet Rodeo Clown JJ Harrison

The Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo brings talented competitors from throughout the Pacific Northwest to the Tri-Cities each year. During this year’s event, Bri Larios from Speck Dealerships had the opportunity to visit with breakaway roper Joclyn Arnold of Glenwood, Washington. Joclyn shared how she became involved in rodeo, what happens during a breakaway roping run, her advice for aspiring competitors, and what life on the rodeo circuit is really like. Joclyn Arnold: Born Into a Rodeo Family For Joclyn, rodeo has always been a family tradition. She grew up surrounded by the sport and developed a love for its competitive nature and the opportunity it gives her to work closely with her horses. “My family is big on rodeoing, so I was just kind of born into it,” Joclyn explained. “I love it because it’s competitive, I get to do it with my horses, and I just like all the parts of it.” What Happens During Breakaway Roping? Breakaway roping is a fast-paced event in which every fraction of a second matters. For spectators watching it for the first time, Joclyn offered a simple explanation of what to look for. The competitor begins by nodding her head to signal that she is ready. The calf is released, the rider follows and attempts to rope it, and the horse then comes to a stop. When the rope breaks away from the saddle horn, a flag signals the completion of the run. When Joclyn is waiting in the box for her turn, she tries to keep her approach simple. “I just take a deep breath and make sure everything is right,” she said. “Then I don’t really know what happens after that—I just do it.” Although the difference between winning and losing can come down to a fraction of a second, Joclyn does her best not to let the pressure take over. “I just try to go fast and let whatever happens, happen.” Competing Close to Home The Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo gives Joclyn the opportunity to compete in front of a large Tri-Cities crowd while remaining relatively close to home. “It’s huge,” she said. “There’s a lot of money here, and it’s good to be close to home.” Joclyn has also had a front-row seat to the rapid growth of women’s breakaway roping. She began competing as the event was gaining greater recognition and has enjoyed watching its popularity increase each year. “It’s been really cool,” Joclyn said. “I came up right when it started to get big, so I’ve been a part of it. Seeing it grow each year has been really cool.” Advice for Young Rodeo Competitors in Eastern Washington For young girls in Eastern Washington who want to participate in rodeo, Joclyn recommends finding experienced people who can help them develop the right skills. “I would find somebody who knows what they’re doing, go to clinics, and learn from somebody who knows what they’re doing,” she advised. Working with knowledgeable riders, trainers, and instructors can help young competitors build confidence while learning how to care for their horses and compete safely. A New Truck for the Rodeo Road Travel is a major part of rodeo life, which means competitors need a dependable vehicle capable of keeping up with a demanding schedule. Joclyn recently purchased a truck from Speck Chevrolet of Prosser after working with Johnny and the dealership team. “We had just started looking for a truck, and then we got ahold of Johnny,” Joclyn recalled. “I think I had a new truck within a week.” When Bri asked how she was enjoying the truck from Johnny Sloan at Speck Chevrolet of Prosser, Joclyn responded, “I love it. It’s been everywhere so far.” Rapid-Fire Questions with Joclyn Bri finished the interview with a few rapid-fire questions to help viewers get to know Joclyn beyond the arena. Favorite rodeo: Prineville Favorite rodeo food: Chicken strips Favorite road-trip snack: A cotton candy Alani and Nerds Gummy Clusters Boots or sneakers: Sneakers Favorite part of rodeo life: Making memories Toughest part of rodeo life: Getting everything to go right—and the expense Mountains or the beach: Mountains Sunrise or sunset: Both One thing that’s always in her rodeo bag: Baby powder Favorite part of the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo: The added money Ford, Chevy, GMC, or Ram: Ram Life on the rodeo circuit requires hard work, preparation, reliable horses, plenty of travel, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. For Joclyn, however, the memories she makes along the way make the challenges worthwhile. Speck Dealerships is proud to support the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo and the hardworking competitors who make it such an exciting Tri-Cities tradition. Thank you to Joclyn Arnold for taking the time to speak with us, and congratulations on being part of the continued growth of breakaway roping. Watch the Interview with Joclyn

For more than four decades, Roger Mooney has helped bring the excitement of professional rodeo to life. During the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo, Bri Larios of Speck Dealerships sat down with the longtime voice of the Horse Heaven Round-Up to learn how he became an announcer, what makes the Tri-Cities crowd special and what life is like after 42 years on the road. Roger also shared a few memorable mishaps from behind the microphone, explained why barrel racing and bull riding receive such big reactions and reflected on his admiration for Dolly Parton. Roger Mooney: A Career in Rodeo Announcing Roger’s career began unexpectedly in 1984 while he was a 17-year-old member of a college rodeo team. When an announcer suffered a heart attack, Roger was asked to step in and handle the announcing duties that night. That opportunity quickly turned into a career. “My freshman year in college, I did 40 rodeos,” Roger told Bri. “And 42 years later, I’m getting to stand next to you.” Since then, Roger has become one of the most recognizable voices in rodeo, traveling across the country and announcing hundreds of performances. The Preparation Behind Every Performance Rodeo announcing involves much more than simply describing the action in the arena. Roger explained that each performance requires hours of research and preparation. For an event like the Horse Heaven Round-Up, he prepares sponsor announcements, live and televised activations, contestant histories, livestock information and other details needed throughout the performance. Roger estimates that he spends between eight and 11 hours preparing for each show. That preparation also includes learning about the organizations and local sponsors that make the event possible, including Speck Dealerships. Life on the Road Although Roger says he has the best job in the world, the career comes with sacrifices. He spends more than 300 days each year traveling away from his family and three farms in Georgia. Because of that demanding schedule, Roger said he watched much of his children’s childhood through social media, videos and pictures. Still, he found a way to add his trademark humor to the subject. “I think they’re still there because I keep sending checks, and they keep cashing them,” he joked. “So evidently, everything’s okay at home.” When he isn’t traveling, Roger enjoys returning to his farm near Ellijay, Georgia. Instead of his usual cowboy hat, he may be found wearing a baseball cap—or no hat at all—while working on a tractor or relaxing by the pond with his son. What Makes the Tri-Cities Crowd Special? After returning to the Tri-Cities for approximately 30 years, Roger considers the area one of his homes away from home. Over the years, he has developed friendships and an extended rodeo family in the community. He compared the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo crowd to a rocket preparing for takeoff. “On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the fuse is lit,” he said. “By Friday and Saturday, we’re in the stratosphere.” Roger described the Horse Heaven Round-Up as the hottest ticket in the Tri-Cities, featuring “cowboys, cowgirls and you” along with plenty of broncs, bulls and rodeo excitement. Which Rodeo Events Get the Biggest Reaction? According to Roger, the Horse Heaven Round-Up offers something for fans of every age. From the opening ceremonies and displays of American pride to the speed and athleticism inside the arena, each part of the rodeo creates a different kind of excitement. He said Tri-Cities fans appear to especially enjoy barrel racing. “They love the girls, and they love the speed,” Roger explained. That excitement leads into bull riding, which typically provides one of the biggest reactions of the night. As Roger put it, once you experience bull riding, “you can get hooked on it.” Roger’s Admiration for Dolly Parton The conversation eventually turned to Dolly Parton, whose hometown region is only a couple of hours from Roger’s Georgia farm. Roger explained that his wife is from Nashville and recalled Dolly visiting her school to read to the children. He praised Dolly for her work providing books to children and families who otherwise might not have access to them. He also admired her humor, business success and ability to remain authentic throughout her career. Beyond her accomplishments as a singer and actress, Roger highlighted the many jobs and opportunities created through Dollywood and her other businesses. Most importantly, he said Dolly’s story demonstrates that a person’s beginnings do not have to determine their future. “It doesn’t matter where you start,” Roger said. “It’s where you finish that counts.” Celebrating Rodeo in the Tri-Cities From his unexpected start as a teenage announcer to becoming the longtime voice of the Horse Heaven Round-Up, Roger Mooney has spent more than 40 years entertaining rodeo fans across the country. His preparation, humor and genuine appreciation for the sport are part of what makes each performance memorable. For Roger, the Tri-Cities is more than another stop on his schedule, it's a community filled with longtime friends, familiar faces and rodeo fans who know how to make some noise. Speck Dealerships was proud to support the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo and spend a few minutes behind the microphone with Roger Mooney. Watch the Full Interview Want to hear more from Roger Mooney? Watch the full interview online to hear Roger share more stories from his 42-year announcing career, discuss what makes the Tri-Cities rodeo crowd special and reveal some of his funniest moments behind the microphone. You’ll also hear his memorable thoughts about Dolly Parton and the impact she has made throughout her life and career. Watch the Interview with Roger Mooney

The Benton-Franklin Fair & Rodeo is one of our favorite times of the year in the Tri-Cities, and this year we had the opportunity to welcome a very special guest to Speck Buick GMC of Tri-Cities. Miss Rodeo America 2026, Olivia Favero, stopped by the dealership to sit down with Frank Murillo and Ally Moore for a conversation about rodeo, life on the road, and her experience representing the sport she loves. During the interview, Olivia shares what it was like to earn the title of Miss Rodeo America, what her year traveling across the country has been like, and some of the experiences that come with representing professional rodeo on a national stage. She also talks about the GMC Denali she drives during her travels and gives us a look at life behind the crown. From Rodeo Fan to Miss Rodeo America: A Conversation with Olivia Favero Olivia grew up in Utah near Ogden, surrounded by family, farmland and horses. Her family continues to farm approximately 30 acres of land that has been passed down through generations, primarily growing alfalfa and leasing some of the property for crops such as melons, pumpkins and squash. Her connection to horses began at her grandfather's barn, where he raised Clydesdales. Although Olivia was too young to remember watching the horses compete at fairs, she remembers spending time around the barn and riding through the barnyard. Rodeo became another family tradition through visits to Ogden Pioneer Days, which also hosts the Miss Rodeo Utah pageant. Olivia first experienced the sport as a fan in the stands. Watching the pageant inspired her to imagine that she might one day compete on that same stage. "I was just a fan," Olivia said. That perspective has remained important throughout her reign because it helps her connect with spectators and welcome new fans into the rodeo community. The Moment Olivia Became Miss Rodeo America The Miss Rodeo America pageant was an intense eight-day experience without phones or family nearby. Contestants moved from one event to another with chaperones while being evaluated throughout the week. Olivia entered the competition with years of preparation. She had attended the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas for five years as a flag carrier and had repeatedly watched the Miss Rodeo America pageant. After becoming Miss Rodeo Utah, she returned to the national pageant as a spectator knowing she would compete there the following year. During coronation, Olivia was the fifth and final contestant announced for the top five. After briefly believing she had missed the cut, she had to quickly refocus for the last round of questions. She was asked how she would welcome fans and bring more people into rodeo as Miss Rodeo America. Olivia spoke about the values of professional rodeo and her own experience beginning as a spectator. She wanted fans to understand that they did not have to compete in the arena to belong in the rodeo community. Olivia described that response as her "mic-drop" moment of the competition. When the field narrowed to Olivia and Miss Rodeo Texas, she felt unexpectedly calm. She knew she had performed to the best of her ability and had shown the judges what she could bring to the role. When Miss Rodeo Texas was announced as first runner-up, Olivia knew she had become Miss Rodeo America. The victory was even more meaningful because she was surrounded by a large group of family and friends who had traveled to Las Vegas to support her. Life on the Road as Miss Rodeo America Serving as Miss Rodeo America is a full-year commitment filled with rodeos, sponsor appearances, community events and constant travel. At the time of the interview, Olivia had visited approximately 50 rodeos during her reign and estimated that she had already spent more than 100 individual days at rodeo events. During one particularly busy stretch in January, she attended 29 rodeos in just 16 days. Although much of her travel has been by airplane, Olivia also understands the demands faced by competitors who haul horses and trailers across the country. Rodeo runs year-round, and contestants often travel long distances after paying their own entry fees, with no guarantee that they will win enough prize money to cover their expenses. Despite the exhausting schedule, Olivia said her favorite part of the role is working with the many groups that make rodeo possible, from sponsors and committees to athletes and fans. "As Miss Rodeo America, you're working with the sponsors, the committee, the audience and the athletes," she explained. "It's cool to be able to meet everyone and see exactly what they do and how it helps support the rodeo". Her favorite event to watch is saddle bronc riding. She enjoys the athleticism of the horses, the different riding styles and the way cowboys use their feet and spurs to create a smooth, exciting ride. Mutton busting also holds a special place in her heart: before becoming a rodeo queen, Olivia's first experience inside the arena was riding a sheep as a young child. Olivia Favero's First Visit to the Tri-Cities Olivia's trip to the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo marked her first visit to Washington. She was excited to explore the Tri-Cities, spend time near the water and experience a community where the fair and rodeo take place together. That combination is especially meaningful to Olivia because a fair gives her more opportunities to talk with local families, visit livestock exhibits and auctions, and see the work young people put into their animals. The visit also carried a personal connection. Miss Rodeo America President Kiki Shumway has deep roots in the local rodeo and agricultural community. After Kiki visited Olivia's hometown rodeo in Utah, Olivia was excited to experience Kiki's hometown rodeo in Washington. While she was in the Tri-Cities, Olivia drove a GMC Denali provided by Speck Buick GMC. She said the vehicle had been great for the trip and joked with Frank and Ally about the possibility of being converted into a GMC driver. Her road-trip essentials are simple: beef jerky for layovers and just about any variety of tea, including green tea, black tea, sweet tea and unsweetened tea. Why Agriculture and 4-H Matter One of the most meaningful parts of the conversation centered on agriculture and 4-H. Olivia participated in a 4-H horse club beginning around age 10. Through the program, she learned horsemanship, horse science, animal care, goal setting and personal responsibility. She credits that foundation with helping her become the rider and rodeo representative she is today. She believes programs such as 4-H teach lessons that are difficult to find anywhere else. Young people caring for horses, cattle, pigs, sheep or other animals cannot simply put their equipment away at the end of practice. The animals depend on them every morning and evening, regardless of school, sports or social plans. That responsibility builds time-management skills, confidence and a powerful work ethic. Olivia also appreciates how livestock projects give children a long-term goal, from raising and caring for an animal to showing or selling it at the fair. Agricultural preservation is equally important to her. Olivia has seen farmland across the country disappear as property is sold for development. While selling may appear to be the easier choice, she emphasized that once productive ground is developed, it is difficult "if not impossible" to restore. "Don't just do something because it's easy. Do the right thing," Olivia recalled her father teaching her. For Olivia, that means protecting valuable agricultural land and supporting the farmers who continue working it despite rising costs, drought, labor challenges and unpredictable markets. What's Next for Olivia Favero? Even while traveling as Miss Rodeo America, Olivia has returned to school to complete her communications degree with an emphasis in public relations. She plans to use her work with Miss Rodeo America and its sponsors as part of an internship and hopes to finish her degree next summer. Olivia is also a licensed cosmetologist and still has additional scholarship opportunities available through Miss Rodeo America. Whether her future leads to public relations, further education, cosmetology or another path, she will have no shortage of experience to draw from. She describes herself as a "jack of all trades" having participated in basketball, cheerleading, dance, soccer and softball, attended cosmetology school, worked at a feed store, ridden horses and represented rodeo on a national stage. Watch the Full Interview with Miss Rodeo America We are grateful to Olivia Favero for visiting Speck Buick GMC of Tri-Cities and sharing her story with us. Her journey reflects the values that make rodeo and agricultural communities so special: hard work, tradition, responsibility, family and a willingness to welcome new people into the arena. Watch the full video interview to hear more about Olivia's year as Miss Rodeo America, her travels across the country, her experience in the Tri-Cities and her time behind the wheel of a GMC Denali. Watch the Full Interview Supporting our Local Community Speck Buick GMC of Tri-Cities is proud to support the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo and the people who help keep our region's agricultural and Western traditions thriving.