Show jumper Ben Maher has been awarded the Scout Association equestrian badge in celebration of the 101st birthday of the Scouts.
Ben is one of 10 celebrities — including Jamie Oliver and Ewan McGregor — to be honoured by the Scouts as part of the Scout Birthday Honours.
The Team GB member for this summer’s Olympics, was chosen by a panel of scouts as an individual who has inspired young people to try horseriding.
Ben said: “I am delighted to accept the Scout Equestrian badge. It has been somewhat of a whirlwind year for me, for last year it felt as though I couldn’t do anything right!
“It is such a pleasure to know that all the hard work and dedication that goes into show jumping does in fact get recognised. Awards such as these are so important as they highlight how much you have achieved!”
Chief scout Peter Duncan said: “These individuals have all been identified by a panel of Scouts as positive role models for young people today. We are delighted to have awarded them the appropriate badges to celebrate the birthday of scouting.
“All badge winners should feel proud that they have inspired so many young people to challenge themselves and try new activities and adventures”.
Other winners are:
Jamie Oliver — healthy eating badge
Ray Mears — outdoor adventure badge
Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman — navigator badge
The Stig — instructor badge
Alexa Chung — global conservation badge
Tom Daley (young Olympic diver) — althlete badge
The cast of Shipwrecked — DIY badge
George Sampson (winner of Britain’s Got Talent) — entertainer badge
Joe Swift (presenter on Gardener’s World) — small holder badge
Robert McFarlene (Sunday Times young writer of the year) — writer badge
www.scouts.org.uk
