Nickname: Hero Owner: Michael Smith Groom: Caroline Holmberg & Edwin Soto Gender: Gelding Breed: Belgian Sport Horse Disciplines: Jumping Sire: I Am Moerhoeve's Star Dam: Darjina Hero Z Foal Date: 4/21/2013

High Star Hero joined McLain Ward's team of horses in summer of 2024 and the pair immedately started producing results. The duo notched their first CSI5* win in their debut together at the Hampton Classic. The 2025 season proved to be their strongest yet, as the pair began the year with top finishes as the Winter Equestrian Festival and World Equestrian Center. 

Their international summer campaign proved to be one of their most consistent to date, notching wins and top finishes in Rome, La Baule, Aachen, and Falsterbo. 

Their biggest win of the season came in November of 2025, as they topped the $400,000 FEI Jumping World Cup Qualifier Santa Anita CSI5*-W, before capturing second place in the $750,000 Coachella Cup Grand Prix CSI5* in Thermal, Calif. just a weeks later. 

The pair earned their second Grand Prix CSI5* win together at the Winter Equestrian Festival during week five to mark their first victory of 2026. Most recently the pair took a podium finish at the La Baule CSIO5* while representing the Icon Global U.S. Jumping Team.