Otto Thorwarth, 2013 Alumnus
Otto Thorwarth experienced a very illustrious 12-year career as a professional horse jockey capturing 1,500 wins and a number of riding titles. However, after six concussions, several broken bones, and a decade of bulimia, Thorwarth left racing to re-invent his life. Enrolling at National Park College, Thorwarth earned his Certificate of Proficiency as an Emergency Medical Technician in 2004.
Thorwarth worked for a short time as an EMT before God redirected his path back to racing. While riding at a track in Cincinnati, Thorwarth was asked to audition for a movie. Selected from over 1,000 professional jockeys nationwide, Thorwarth was cast as Ronnie Turcotte in the Walt Disney Pictures film Secretariat. "Otto became one of the most delightful finds of this whole film. He was fearless. And beyond that, there was a joy about that fearlessness," said director Randall Wallace.
Thorwarth is now retired from professional racing and is working on a new movie. Cowboys and Jesus which is being filmed in Hot Springs is a modern take on the Biblical story of the prodigal son. Thorwarth credits God for his life's success and shares his story at Churches and conferences.
