Wilf Girletz

Born in the De Winton area, Wilf Girletz was one of Canada’s top rodeo competitors from 1948 to 1960. Alongside Leo Brown and Gid Garstad, he shares the record for Canadian bull riding championships with five titles, including the most consecutive with three. Girletz captured Canadian Bull Riding Championships in 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1955.

He also won the Canadian All-Around Championship three times—in 1950, 1955, and 1957—and claimed the Canadian Wild Cow Milking Championship in 1965 and 1966. In addition, he won the novice saddle bronc riding event at the 1948 Calgary Stampede. Beyond competing, Girletz contributed to the sport by filing rodeo reports for broadcast to listeners of CJDV in Drumheller.

When his three sons developed an interest in riding, he began keeping a few bulls, founding what would become Girletz Rodeo Stock. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, he was inducted into the Canadian Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1994.