McLain Ward’s “New Superstar Hero” Comes Up Big in the $500,000 Modon Grand Prix CSI 5*

By Jumper News USA on February 25, 2026

Wellington, United States – February 21, 2026 – World No. 10 Mclain Ward (USA) led wire to wire to win the $500,000 Modon Grand Prix CSI 5* aboard 13-year-old Belgian-bred gelding High Star Hero, owned by Michael Smith, under the shine of Saturday Night Lights at Wellington International during Week 7 at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). WEF hosts 12 weeks of FEI competition—four of which are five-stars—running through March 29, in Wellington, FL.

First to crack the code on Anthony d’Ambrosio’s (USA) 1.60m track, the six-time U.S. Olympian set a tough standard with High Star Hero. Only four would follow to finalize a five-horse jump-off, in which all combinations represented different nations. The pathfinders once again over the tire-breaking jump-off course, Ward and High Star Hero stopped the clock—with blistering speed—at 39.14 seconds.

Mark Bluman (COL) did his best to nip Ward’s time but came up short by half a second riding Landon de Nyze, the 13-year-old son of Comilfo Plus Z x Quadrillo. They finished as runner-up in 39.71 seconds for owners Over The Top Stables and Mark’s cousin, Daniel Bluman.

Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam (SWE) rounded out the podium atop 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding James Kann Cruz (Kannan x Cruising) owned in partnership between Sweetnam and Gizmo Partners. With less than a second separating the top three, Sweetnam’s time notched in at 39.91 seconds.

**Edvin Soto** (far left) was presented with the Double H Farm Grooms Award and $500 cash prize by Lenore Brown (center) of Wellington International for his care and preparation of High Star Hero for the Modon Grand Prix CSI 5* .

“You always feel pressure, and all these guys are super-fast riders with very fast horses—I knew they were going to risk everything to win,” said Ward, a U.S. Olympic team gold medalist, whose groom, Edvin Soto, was honored with the Double H Farm Grooms Award and $500 cash prize for his care and preparation of High Star Hero. “I had to do what I thought was the winning plan, and the horse responded beautifully. He’s been jumping great for the last six months, and I couldn’t ask for more. Tonight, it was inches—it was phenomenal competition, and once in a while you end up on the top end.”

**Mclain Ward** (USA) & **High Star Hero**

Despite an extra stride to the final fence on course, High Star Hero’s (Zazu x Darco) footspeed sealed the victory, which was Ward’s fourth in a WEF 7 grand prix. “I know exactly why I do well in this grand prix,” said Ward, whose last win came in 2020 with HH Azur. “I come a little later to Florida than most people and always start a bit rusty. I often think, ‘ah, I’m not doing very well.’ Then, I sharpen things up about this time.

“It’s been a difficult start to the year,” said Ward, referring to the death of his mount Imperial HBF, resulting from colic complications one week ago. “My team has rallied and put their heads down—it’s been a grind, and I’m proud of them, proud of the horse and proud to bring this home tonight.”

To conclude the night, Ward spoke of the significance of grand prix night at Wellington International, saying, “It’s spectacular; the community has become so engaged, and I also notice they are getting increasingly educated about the sport, even if they’re not horse people. That shows how important equestrian sports are in this community. For most of us, this becomes our second home—I’ve been coming [to Wellington] for 45 years—and it’s wonderful to be welcomed and cheered for by fans, but also the younger generation. I think there’s going to be fans here for many years to come.”