Judy Cotta was named the Madera County Cattlemens’ Association 2009 Cowboy of the Year. Judy was born in Madera and spent her childhood in the Mojave Desert and later attended schools in Dos Palos. She married Albert Cotta in 1961. They have two children, Debbie and Don, and two grandchildren.

Judy and Albert moved to Mariposa in 1984 and after 45 year of marriage Albert passed away in 2006.

Cotta worked for Producers Livestock Madera for 14 years, and also worked for several local ranches including Drayer Ranch, Kelsey Ranch, Flying M Ranch, Erickson Ranch, Smith Ranch and has ridden colts for Don Buttrey and Jim Mangante. She has participated in team sorting, team roping, ranch rodeo, calf branding and won this year’s Mariposa County Fair team penning with partner Isabel Reese.

Cotta also taught a colt starting class at Merced College. She has served on the Mariposa Fair Horse Show Committee and served as a director of the Mariposa Pioneer Wagon Train.