Built by Cowboys. Carried Forward by Community.
Rooted in the enduring traditions of ranching, rodeo, and western heritage, Oakdale proudly carries the title Cowboy Capital of the World. At the center of that legacy stands the Oakdale Saddle Club—preserving the traditions of the American West and bringing generations together through competition, community involvement, and one unforgettable rodeo.
The Heart of the Cowboy Capital of the World
In Oakdale, western heritage is not something brought out once a year. It is part of the community’s identity.
Generations of ranchers, horsemen, cowboys, cowgirls, volunteers, and local families have helped shape Oakdale into a place where the values of the American West remain alive. Hard work, horsemanship, perseverance, family, and community are not simply celebrated here—they are lived.
The Oakdale Saddle Club plays a central role in preserving that legacy. Through rodeo competition, community partnerships, youth involvement, volunteerism, and annual traditions, the club helps ensure that Oakdale’s western story continues to be shared with future generations.
The Oakdale Rodeo is not simply where our history is remembered. It is where that history continues.
Oakdale Rodeo History
1945 - A Club is Born
The Oakdale Saddle Club is founded by local horsemen committed to creating a lasting home for western competition and community events.
1946 - 1st Clover Round Up
The program included eleven amateur rodeo events, including calf roping, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, trick horse performances, and team roping. First-place prizes ranged from approximately $10 to $50, but the real reward was seeing the community’s vision come to life.
Oakdale had a population of roughly 3,435 people at the time. More than 4,500 spectators reportedly attended the event.
1948 - Oakdale Stampede
Professional rodeo promoter John Bowman and John Markham stage the Oakdale Stampede, helping strengthen Oakdale’s reputation as a destination for serious rodeo competition.
1954 - Professional Rodeo
The Saddle Club presents its first professional rodeo while continuing to use the Clover Round-Up name.
1957 - Oakdale Rodeo
The event officially becomes known as the Oakdale Rodeo, beginning a new chapter in its growing legacy.
1960 - Cowboy Capital
As Oakdale becomes known as a home and training ground for accomplished rodeo competitors, - and having generated the most champions in this era - the community proudly embraces the title Cowboy Capital of the World.
Today
The rodeo has grown into a signature spring tradition that welcomes competitors, families, visitors, and rodeo fans while continuing to honor the western values on which it was founded.