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12/8/10
Huron, Ohio’s Duke and Rhonda Thorson Honored as 2010 TWHBEA Youth Ambassadors
At its annual awards banquet, held December 3rd in Lewisburg, Tennessee, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) honored Duke and Rhonda Thorson of Huron, Ohio, with its prestigious Youth Ambassador Award. Presented annually, this award recognizes a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse community that has gone above and beyond in their efforts to support and promote youth in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. As part of the award presentation, which as made by TWHBEA Member At Large Youth Margo Urad, the biography of the Thorsons included below was read.
This year’s TWHBEA Youth Ambassador Award is being presented to Duke and Rhonda Thorson. The Thorsons originally became immersed in the world of the Tennessee Walking Horse for one reason: their daughter, Allison. On a trip to Martinsville, Virginia to watch the family’s racing team compete, they stopped at a West Virginia horse farm where Allison was able to ride a Tennessee Walking Horse for the first time. When they came back to Ohio, Allison took her first lessons at Maplecrest Farm, and she quickly displayed her talents and instincts. Now, seven years later, the entire Thorson family has broadened their horizons; Allison has become one of the top youth riders in the country, while her parents have built their own horse farm, grown the number of horses they own, and expanded their business interests into the equestrian world.
Allison’s enthusiasm for horses on that long weekend in 2004 ultimately resulted in the acquisition of their first two horses, Vigor’s Dixie Chick and Heza A Grey Ghost. From there, ThorSport Farm was born. Built in late summer 2008 and located in Perkins Township, Ohio, the sprawling facility includes a large indoor training arena with multiple viewing platforms, outdoor pastures, indoor meeting facilities, and an a full-sized tennis court. ThorSport Farm has grown to 15 horses trained in Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky, including two-time World Grand Champion “Roll The Gold.”
Allison’s passion for horses also led to an expansion of the ThorWorks Industries product line. Known worldwide for its complete line of pavement maintenance products and equipment, ThorWorks has become heavily involved in the equestrian world with its revolutionary dust-free Thor Turf equestrian surface. Additionally, through FarmPaint.com, the company has expanded into a full line of farm coatings, including barn and fence paints, roof coating, dust control and much more.
Generous to a fault, the Thorsons have sponsored numerous events within the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, including All Youth Day, which they have supported for multiple years. Through their support of Allison they have been instrumental in the promotion of the Tennessee Walking Horse as a youth mount at events such as Equine Affaire and the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
We are proud to present the 2010 TWHBEA Youth Ambassador Award to Duke and Rhonda Thorson.
For further details or information, please contact (931) 359-1574.
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