Its quite a honour for one of the Directors of the Georgian Riding Association for Challenged equestrians.
Jim Merriam has been commended in a letter from Prince Phillip for his efforts with the group and its success in the annual Prince Phillip Cup.
Riders from GRACE have won the Challenged riding competition every year for the past five years and the letter from Buckingham Palace says for Merriam and his team, that is quite an achievement.
Merriam says he was somewhat taken aback by the letter and recognition from the Prince, and say a lot of the credit goes to the many volunteers who help the challenged young people prepare for the competition.
He was nominated for the award by the owner of Wicklen Stables, Willis McLeese, who also is the developer of Cobble Beach resort.
Merriam says the majority of the GRACE riders are under the age of 18 and deal with a variety of challenges ranging from physical to mental, development, social and emotional.
He says its amazing to see the changes that occur when these young people get on a horse and the bond that develops between them and the animal.
Merriam says the riders already are in training for this years Prince Philip Cup which will take place some time in June.