Anna Kotler Earns Top Honors in the 2020 PCHA Jr/Am Horsemanship Medal Final
For Immediate Release:
THERMAL, Calif. – October 31, 2020 – Equitation competition continued today, Saturday, October 31st, with the second and final round of the PCHA Jr/Am 2’9” Medal Final. After two days of showcasing top equitation talent, Anna Kotler walked away with the grand prize and trophy. The second-place winner was Zoe Ryder and third was awarded to Pamela Cole.
Thirteen riders competed in both rounds and after much deliberation, the judges brought back the top six riders for additional testing. In the work off, riders were asked to demonstrate a trot fence, simple changes of lead, and a counter canter to the final fence. In the end, Kotler triumphed over her competition earning her the top spot.
The field of riders brought tough competition to the show ring. Kotler walked into the jump-off in fourth place and really had to prove herself to the judges if she wanted to win. “Round two, I know I hadn’t done great in the first round. I had a little trouble; he was really good,” Kotler explained. “I decided that I was going to make it happen. I was going to show the judges that I could do this.”
Kotler has been riding her mount Boss for only a month now and has completely fallen in love with him. “His name is Boss. He loves cookies. He will literally search all around you in every single pocket for cookies. He is the sweetest horse and he loves to cuddle,” says Kotler.
About the Desert International Horse Park
With nearly 1.3 million square feet of competition and riding space, the Desert International Horse Park is one of the largest equestrian facilities in North America. Offering multiple weeks of world-class equestrian competition from October through March, the facility is a destination location for thousands of equestrians, their horses, family and friends for several months annually. Competitors from all over the world travel to Thermal, CA to not only compete but to enjoy everything the desert has to offer.