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
