Hersham showjumper Sam Hutton has been handed a dream slot at this week’s Horse of the Year Show.

The 21-year-old rode eight-year-old bay gelding Astral 57 to one of only two wildcard international qualifying places on offer at the Festival of Showjumping last month.

It means Hutton - part of the British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Development Programme - will be able to compete three horses in international classes at Birmingham’s NEC this week.

And the youngster, based in Southampton with coach and former Olympian Tony Newbery, can’t wait for his chance.

“Astral is a fantastic young horse who just gets better and better with each outing, 2010 has been a tremendous year for us both,” he said.

“I’m very lucky to have such supportive owners, an exceptional coach in Tony and a team on the ground at Ashbourne who ensure that I have the best horses, ready to compete at this level.

“The back up of the World Class Development Programme over the past two years both in terms of training and funding has also proved invaluable.

“I’m really looking forward to the experience of competing internationally at the show – it’s every show jumpers dream.”

Hutton will also be contesting two previously qualified national classes, the seven and eight-year-old championship on October 6 and the Young Rider Championship of Great Britain on October 8.

“Sam has worked very hard and fully deserves the results have enabled him to qualify, “ added Newbery.