Our columnist wants to see tougher courses, bigger fences and more people striving to do—and watch—the hunters at the highest levels.

Changes made over the last few years put us in the perfect position to move the sport forward—we just have to take the chance.

Times are changing, not only in the sport of show hunters but in the larger world. If we want to preserve the true traditions of our sport, we’re going to need to make significant changes in how we look at things.

We’ve had an exciting year for hunters and jumpers in this country in 2010. We’re in the midst of an economic crisis—horse shows have all been hit by fewer entries—yet we keep going because of our love of our horses and ponies and our love of competition.

This year’s The Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA $100,000 International Hunter Derby Finals hit a home run. The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games limited the choices as to where this competition could be held, so this year it moved to the new indoor ring at The Kentucky Horse Park.