Originally published on Cowgirl Magazine – May 6th, 2024
Making an indelible mark in the high-stakes equestrian world is just the beginning for Allison Thorson, who holds over 200 Championship titles, including the record for the most World Championships in Tennessee Walking Horses’ history.
Over the past ten years, Thorson has maintained a rigorous training, competition, and travel schedule, competing at horse shows 36 weeks per year. As of 2019, she has won more than 1,000 blue ribbons and over 100 National High Point Championships. She is a 38-time National Champion, and 59-time International Champion and is the holder of 78 World Titles, including 12 World Grand Championships.
Experienced and determined, Thorson is on a mission—several, in fact—to enhance the lives of the majestic show horses she loves while promoting and improving their overall health, performance, and well-being. Capitalizing on her natural entrepreneurship, her multifaceted career has moved into an important new phase—using her platform to give back to an industry and a breed that has given so much to her in myriad ways.
In addition to training, competing, and managing her businesses, Thorson is moving from the barn to the boardroom, as well as from arenas to legislative committee hearings. Allison served as Youth Vice President of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association from 2014-2018. She was also the youngest director to be elected in the breed’s history, with her inaugural year on the Board of Directors at age 20. Her poise and knowledge have led to her latest project – hosting a new television show on Ride TV, scheduled to premiere in 2020.
Knowing the needs of horses both in the show ring and the barn, Allison recently acquired Tenda Horse Products, a trusted agricultural brand that has been serving the performance horse industry for over 45 years. The primary goal of Tenda Horse Products is to develop and manufacture safe and effective products using top-quality ingredients to enhance the lives of horses. She is also involved in the development of The Farm—a premier residential equestrian housing community being created in Tennessee that will feature 350 residential options, riding trails, golf, and a clubhouse and swimming pool, among other amenities.
Thorson’s strong work ethic, sense of responsibility, and time management skills have helped mold her into the industry leader she is today, as has the strong foundation established by her parents, Duke and Rhonda Thorson. Throughout her life, her parents introduced her to the businesses and brands they established.
“I learned what it takes to live the American dream with the examples set by my parents, and I keep those values at the forefront when it comes to growing my career as a businesswoman,” she said. “With an upbringing based on strong values, determination, hard work, and enthusiasm, I was fortunate to learn first-hand the many different facets of the businesses and brands my family has established.” Today, Allison proudly works alongside her parents, continuing to help build ThorWorks Industries, the umbrella company of their many businesses in the coatings world.
Combining their talents, experiences, and entrepreneurial spirits, the family created several agricultural and equine businesses, building and developing two farm locations in Ohio and Tennessee.
Allison owns and manages ThorSport Farm, which has world-class equestrian facilities in Murfreesboro, TN, and Sandusky, OH. She fosters and maintains the farm’s high standards and welcoming environment as an equestrian haven for horse owners, their families, trainers, and riders to fulfill their equine passions. The Sandusky location features 20 acres, 22 stalls, and an indoor and outdoor arena. Murfreesboro comprises 500 acres, 78 stalls, and indoor and outdoor arenas. Both farms utilize ThorTurf, which is specifically engineered to be dust-free and low maintenance, providing the quality and performance demanded by equine enthusiasts.
ThorSport Farm Murfreesboro is home to independently owned horses of various breeds, including the Tennessee Walking Horse, hunter/jumpers, Saddlebreds, Quarter Horses, Welsh, Shetland ponies, and Thoroughbreds and offers riding lessons for all types of riders in several disciplines as well as hosts clinics, tours, and educational events.
Switching gears from one horse to 800 horsepower comes naturally to Allison as the Advisor and Spokesperson for ThorSport Racing, the Thorson family’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team, which boasts three national championships, fields four trucks, and is the longest-tenured NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series team.
At ThorSport Racing, Allison works with drivers and team members, meeting with potential sponsors and maintaining working business relationships. Allison also maintains brand awareness, conducts community outreach events, including the DARE school program and “Touch A Truck” events, and is also involved in ThorSport future business planning.
Introduced to riding at age 6, Allison immediately knew she had a passion for the equine world. Her competitive edge led her to take her talent to the next level—horse shows.
She attended and graduated from George Washington University Online High School, where she served as president of the National Honor Society and editor of the school newspaper, GW Yawp. In 2017, she graduated from Middle Tennessee State University, where she interned in sports broadcasting positions on the sidelines of the basketball and football teams.
Allison recently entered the sport of reining, a Western horse discipline in which the rider must skillfully execute a pattern of small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, rollbacks, 360-degree spins done in place, and exciting sliding stops. She is currently training under the direction of Schermsal Reining Horses.
“My life in the worlds of equestrian competition and business has given me a unique perspective and more positive experiences than I could ever have envisioned that fateful day I first got on a horse,” Thorson summed up. “Being able to extend everything I have learned to help others, whether horses or people, has been both the highlight and the goal. I eagerly look forward to what’s next.”
To learn more about George Washington University Online High School please visit, https://www.gwuohs.com/.
