Bill Thornburgh was a man who inspired and motivated people. If he was in your life, you felt there was nothing you couldn't do. He gave you courage and confidence. I entered the Tevis when I was 10 or 11 years old. I got a letter back that said in big letters: "Cannot accept." I was too young and had to have a sponsor over 21 years old. When I showed my dad, he said, "You get a horse ready for me and I will sponsor you."

He only had to say it once. I was on one horse and led another all winter and spring. When the time for Tevis came the two horses and I were ready.

So Dad and I rode it. I was pulled three-quarters of the way through, but Dad made it. The next morning he could not walk, stand, move, or talk. Even his hair hurt. He had big purple bruises where the buttons on his Western shirt hit him all day.

When he trotted his horse out at the post-vet check, it hurt just to watch him, but he made his horse look great.

The next year he conditioned his own horse. We did the ride again and both made it in great shape. He was hooked on endurance riding, and it was a big part of his life from then on.

I hear so many stories where Dad helped someone start, finish or accomplish something and they took it from there and made their lives better. Every time someone came into Bill Thornburgh's life they left better for it.

Endurance riding was something he truly loved. When we went to a ride we would not see him for hours -- he had to go visit and talk to everyone. He loved the rides -- the challenge, the strategy, the competition, and of course the horse he was riding.

But most of all, riding as a family was the most important thing. He always encouraged families to ride together.

He would sponsor any junior who did not have one. If juniors lost their sponsors he would pick them up. On some rides, he would have a line of kids with him at the finish line.

It was not only endurance rides, but in all parts of life he would help kids and bring families together. He would help kids who were having trouble at home by talking with them and even bringing them into our home.

During the winter, Dad was an avid skier. He took the bus driving test because our ski club didn't have enough money to pay for a bus driver. Dad volunteered every year. He would help the kids who were afraid as they learned to ski. Some kids went because he was there and he made them feel safe. Mammoth Mountain in California has a kids' slalom race held in Dad's name every year, the Bill Thornburgh Cup.

He even hauled kids to the high school rodeos, and would pay for stalls and entry fees for those who couldn't afford to go. He encouraged teenagers to enter, getting them to do things they did not think they could. Afterwards they were so proud and happy of what they had accomplished. In endurance riding, there is no better person to have the family award named after than Bill Thornburgh. He was a true family man and my loving father.