Mastering the SWITCH CUP for Introductory and Preparatory: Precision Meets Partnership in Working Equitation

The Switch Cup simple in appearance but rich in technical demand, the Switch Cup is an obstacle that offers progressive training as you move through the WE levels. It is a test of balance, availability, and accuracy.

Obstacle Construction

The Switch Cup is constructed using two upright posts, each approximately 2 meters high, positioned 1.2 to 1.5 meters apart. A cup is placed upside down on one of the posts, ready to be transferred by the rider.

For junior riders, you may adjust the height and spacing to ensure safety and accessibility. Crucially, the base supports must allow horses to approach closely without risk of entanglement—meaning standard jump wings are often unsuitable due to their wide, protruding feet.

The Goal: Smooth Transitions, Calm Halt, Clean Transfer

The task is simple in theory: approach, halt, switch, and move on. Yet in execution, preparation is everything. A rider must guide their horse between the posts, halt cleanly, pick up the cup from one post, and place it neatly on the other—all while keeping the horse still and focused.

Performance by Level: A Progressive Challenge

The Switch Cup is carefully tailored to each competition level, allowing riders and horses to build skill and confidence progressively:

• Introductory: Approach at walk only.

• Preparatory: Entry allowed at walk or trot—extra marks for choosing trot.

At all levels, the halt must occur cleanly between the posts, followed by the precise placement of the cup (you must use the same hand to pickup and deposit the cup). The exit gait must also correspond to the level—make sure you depart straight and the horses tail is clear of the obstacle before transitioning upwards.

Scoring the Switch Cup

Judges assess more than just the cup’s movement: straightness, balance, immobility, clarity of transitions, and correctness of gait all factor into the final mark. If the cup was not reset by the previous competitor, riders must halt, signal a steward, and wait for the cup to be replaced—with no penalty.

Why It Matters

The Switch Cup is not just a clever piece of course design. It represents everything Working Equitation values: control, communication, adaptability, and relaxation under pressure. It asks the rider to trust their horse, and the horse to trust their rider, even in a moment of stillness within the energy of competition.