CAROLINE Hawkins showed star quality with victory aboard Kilcara Diamond at the Horse of the Year Show at the NEC Arena, Birmingham.

Hawkins, from Henton, near Chinnor, wowed judges in the South Essex Insurance Brokers’ (SEIB) Search For A Star Working Hunter Final.

Competing in the Riding Club Show Horse final section, she beat nine other qualifiers to come first.

Hawkins was full of praise for Kilcara Diamond, saying: “She is just beautiful to ride, but quite a character.

“If she was human, she would be the heart and soul of the party.

“It was a bit scary, but she was brilliant.”