As a child, Thomas Shelley of Business Wire Denver dreamed of riding horses. But it wasn’t until his mid 30s that Shelley had the opportunity to seriously get in the saddle.
Responding to a classified ad for horseback riding lessons, Shelley took his first lesson at age 36. “Even though learning new skills from my lesson horse, Shaahin, was a big challenge, I came to realize how our small steps of progress each week began transferring to other parts of my life,” says Shelley. “My self-confidence soared.”
Thomas Shelley with Centaur Rising Founder Kristaan Cooper and equine friend Wally
Now through the Business Wire Gives Back 2011 program, Shelley is volunteering on Tuesdays at Centaur Rising, a non-profit organization that emphasizes youth development through the teaching of classical horsemanship.
Shelley’s primary responsibility at Business Wire is to develop, maintain and expand our media relations database. He’s been tapping those same organizational and communication skills doing “strategic networking” for Centaur Rising. His volunteer efforts include reaching out to Denver area schools, nonprofit and community organizations to explore the possibilities of working together on youth programs.
Shelley’s goal is to help ensure that young people have a chance to experience the confidence and character boost that comes from mastering the horse and rider partnership.
“Kids shouldn’t have to wait ’til their adult years to start horsemanship training,” he says.
Founded in 2005 by Kristaan Cooper in the Rocky Mountain foothills of Pine, Colorado,Centaur Rising, seeks to restore our connection with Nature through the teaching of classical horsemanship.
