2026 Media Guide

MISS RODEO AMERICA: OLIVIA FAVERO

Olivia Favero Crowned Miss Rodeo America 2026

By Alex Dodd

Miss Rodeo America 2026 Olivia Favero Photo Courtesy of Miss Rodeo America, Inc.

B ecoming Miss Rodeo America is no easy task. State titleholders study rodeo and practice their horsemanship for years to prepare for the grueling nine day pageant at the South Point Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. The Miss Rodeo America pageant is held in conjunction with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and featured 29 representatives from across the country. After countless hours studying flashcards and serving as Miss Rodeo Utah, Olivia Favero was crowned Miss Rodeo America 2026 on Dec. 8, 2025. She succeeded Miss Rodeo America 2025, Callie Mueller. “It feels pretty dang good. I’m loving it so far,” Favero said. “Coronation was great and right after that I signed my contract. Then I got to help with the (NFR go-round) buckle presentation that night. Each day I’ve had something to do so far. It was nothing overwhelming just getting to know the people I’ll be working with all year.” The MRA competition included a horsemanship contest, a written test on equine science and rodeo

knowledge, extensive interviews, extemporaneous speaking and a fashion show. Then, the top five contestants answered a question about how PRORODEO, Miss Rodeo America and the agriculture industry will stay relevant in an evolving society. When the competition ended, Favero received the crown and over $20,000 in educational scholarships and prizes, including a Wrangler wardrobe, Montana Silversmiths jewelry and a selection of Justin Boots. “It’s still hitting me,” Favero said. “Every time I look in the mirror, I’m used to a crown being on my hat. I was Miss Rodeo Utah all year last year, but this crown is a little different. They look a lot different, they’re different colors and there are a lot more pearls and rhinestones on this one. But it’s a really big honor to have that on my hat now.” The Taylor, Utah, native is a Weber State University graduate with two associates degrees and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications, studying public relations and advertising. She worked at her local farm store and as a cosmetologist.

The Miss Rodeo America pageant requires a lot of preparation in the midst of contestants’ rigorous schedule as state queens. “I would try to check one thing off the list and there was a long list underneath,” Favero said. “Once we got to the pageant I felt like I had studied enough and was really organized. I had practiced all that I could. Once I was there that pressure seemed to be taken off my shoulders and I really enjoyed it.” Favero is the first Miss Rodeo America from Utah since Chenae (Shiner) Vest in 2013 and the seventh from the state overall. As Miss Rodeo America, Favero will serve as a representative of PRORODEO and travel more than 40,000 miles to appear at nearly 100 rodeos as well as schools, civic groups and special events. “I’m really looking forward to doing new things,” Favero said. “I traveled a lot as Miss Rodeo Utah and got a small glimpse of what it will be like. I know as Miss Rodeo America it will be a lot busier but I’ll be busy doing things I love so it’s really exciting and I’m eager to do it.”

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Introduction and General Informatoin