By Brian Hurlburt
There aren’t many roles out there with a more hectic schedule than that of a newly-crowned Miss Rodeo America. There are hundreds of rodeos to attend, meet-and-greets with fans, media events, social media content to post, good deeds to be done, and so much more.
For Olivia Favero, Miss Rodeo America 2026, her challenge is to ensure she enjoys each moment so she can look back and remember it all—or at least as much as she can.
“This is the biggest honor and being Miss Rodeo America was a dream of mine since I was eight years old, and now it is real life,” Favero said. “I have tried to be present and soak everything up. I don’t know if it will ever really sink in, but I try to make sure that I am paying attention to how special it is to be in this position. When I have time to sit down and think, I like to journal and write down all of my memories. There are days that it’s very difficult to stop writing because I have so much I want to talk about and remember.”
Just a few days after winning the crown in December 2025, she agreed to help write an article about her whirlwind experience to that point. Even then, she had laid the foundation about how embrace the journey.
“All year as Miss Rodeo Utah, I adopted the motto ‘Enjoy the Ride’—something I wanted to share with everyone,” Favero wrote. “It was a perfect bridge between me and the people I encountered. Whether someone rides horses, plays sports, performs music or pursues any passion, everyone has their own ‘ride.’ As Miss Rodeo America, I am excited to keep encouraging people to embrace their journeys and chase their dreams. ‘Enjoy the Ride’ is all about self-development.”
In May 2026, she was back in Las Vegas with the PRCA world champions as part of a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® media event at the Rio Suites Hotel & Casino when she took the time to look back on her first few months as Miss Rodeo America, rather than just a few days.
“This year has been incredible, and I’ve loved meeting all the different people at rodeos and community events,” Favero said. “It’s so much more than just being a part of the PRCA and Miss Rodeo America. Miss Rodeo America is a great role to invite people to come into this world that we love. What I have loved the most are the rodeos because that’s a big part of our job, and where we spend a lot of our time on horseback.. I think I enjoy the rodeos because I’ve studied a lot about rodeos and their history and what they’re known for. Now I get to go and experience all of what I have learned. I just came from Abbyville, Kansas, and the PRCA Frontier Days, where they are known for selling the best pies and are the pie capital for rodeo. It is really fun to experience that and go do those things.”
Favero has an inquisitive mind and is always seeking ways to learn and become involved. She has enjoyed the behind-the-scenes part of the rodeo process as much as being the face of the Miss Rodeo America organization.
“Many of my best memories are being in the production meetings and getting to understand exactly how the rodeo is going to run,” Favero said. “That is something that I really enjoy, and I am passionate about learning and being prepared at the rodeos. I take my job seriously, and being behind the scenes helps make it feel natural and prepares me for what’s ahead.”
In just a few short months, Favero’s ride as Miss Rodeo America will end, but not before a full 10 days and nights at the 2026 Wrangler NFR. She knows the event well because she was a three-time NFR Flag Girl before winning her crown.
“I don’t even know that I can put the NFR experience into words,” Favero said. “I always tell people, if you have the chance to do it once, you totally should. But once you come once, you will be hooked, and I think that there’s a good chance you will come back. Vegas turns into Cowboy Town, and it’s my favorite part of the year.”