In 1929, Buckeye hosted it’s first ever Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association Event.

During this time, a female rider by the name of Mabel Strickland toured the Rodeo circuit competing and beating men for a good part of her 25 year career.

Known as the First Lady of Rodeo, Mabel won the all-around title at Cheyenne, Wyoming’s Frontier Days and went on to perform trick riding across the country. During the 1930’s, Mabel found herself in Hollywood, California working as a stunt rider / actress in Western themed motion pictures of the time.

By 1949, Mabel settled with her second husband, Samuel Woodward in Buckeye, Arizona. She called this her home for 27 years until she passed in 1976.