Assessor Resource

RGRPSH305A
Develop driving skills for trackwork

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency supports novice drivers to develop driving skills for trackwork in less controlled conditions with a range of well-educated horses.

This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to develop driving skills for trackwork using well-educated horses. It includes communicating with supervisor and co-workers, assessing hazards, protecting the welfare of people and horses, and providing post-exercise care of horses.

The term well-educated horse' refers to an animal that has undergone sufficient training to ensure that it behaves in a safe, tractable and manageable way when being handled and ridden.

To undertake this unit the candidate will be able to apply safe horse handling skills and workplace OHS standards. It is recommended that RGRPSH201A Handle horses be delivered in conjunction with or before this unit of competency.

It is recommended that competence be demonstrated in basic driving before attempting this unit.

This unit of competency operates in workplace environments of racing stables, paddocks, yards, racecourses and public areas.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Check with your State Principal Racing Authority for current license or registration requirements.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

RGRPSH204A

Prepare to drive jog work


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when developing driving skills for trackwork

demonstration of driving skills for trackwork according to trainer instructions

implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete driving skills for trackwork safely, effectively and efficiently

working with others to undertake and complete driving skills for trackwork that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of well-educated harness horses of different ages and sexes in racing stable and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Harness Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

a variety of well-educated harness horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to practise driving skills

safe handling and controlled driving areas, such as racing stables, and training and racetracks

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Harness Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

applying aids to control speed and direction of horse at walk and trot

applying safe handling and work practices when driving horses

applying safe driving skills

assessing hazards and obstacles related to horse exercise areas

being aware of relevant road safety rules

communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and public venue employees using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to developing driving skills for trackwork

completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame

driving horses singly and in company

fitting horse gear and driving apparel

following instructions

identifying and correctly using different items of gear and assessing their condition in terms of safe use

identifying gait at which a horse is working

identifying and following exercise area rules and regulations

maintaining driving etiquette

preparing horses for exercise and providing post-exercise care to horses

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

understanding and complying with safe zones when driving horses

using numeracy skills to measure distance and time

working safely with other stable employees.

Required knowledge

aids to control speed and direction of a horse

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

driving etiquette

gear and equipment

paces of horses

private road and track rules

purpose of using appropriate personal protective equipment

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

safe zones for driving.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to develop driving skills for trackwork. Workplaces include harness stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Exercise instructions may include:

duration of exercise

exercise venue

pace, including walking and jogging

specific gear or equipment to be used.

Exercise areas may include:

designated slow exercise areas at racecourses

paddocks

private roads at racecourses

private tracks

relevant rules of racing

rules and regulations of exercise area.

Hazards and obstacles may include:

broken rails, fences or gates

creeks and waterholes

dusty or eroded tracks

horses

machinery

rabbit holes

slippery or muddy surfaces

stray animals, including native animals

vehicles.

Gear selected will include:

bits, for example:

snaffle

straight rubber

boots, for example:

ankle (pastern)

bell boot

scalping

shin

breastplate

bridle

crupper, for example:

standard

rubber dock

tail tie

harness

saddle

standard overcheck or head check

driver gear:

approved Australian Standard helmet, clothing and footwear

sulky.

Horse is prepared for exercise by:

fitting bridle comfortably to horse with reins secured until ready to attach to sulky

positioning sulky to assist with balance to reduce resistance when in motion

requesting assistance from strapper for driving or leading exercise

making final check of gear before mounting sulky

warming up.

Safe zones will include:

distance from other horses:

when walking, maintaining two horse lengths

when trotting or jogging, maintaining four to six lengths

identifying and keeping clear of young or intractable horses

techniques for slowing or manoeuvring horses seeking to encroach on space of others

width between drivers.

Potential risks may include:

gear breakage

loose horses

driver injury

kicks from adjacent horses.

Industry recognised methods to measure speed and distance may include:

measuring distance by:

knowing circumference of track

measuring distance in furlongs, miles or laps

stepping out distance

using track marker poles

measuring time by:

counting aloud

estimating time in relation to distance covered

using marker poles

using stopwatch.

Driving etiquette may include:

checking carefully to make sure way is clear before proceeding

keeping unnecessary noise to a minimum

waiting until oncoming horses have passed before proceeding

waiting for vehicles to pass before proceeding.

Trainer's instructions may include:

length and type of warm up

length and type of cool down

speed, distance and direction of jog work.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Exercise instructions are confirmed with trainer. 
Designated exercise areas are confirmed as free from hazards and obstacles . 
Gear selected for slow exercise is in good working condition. 
Horse is prepared for exercise . 
Horses are kept under control at walk and trot, and pace alone and in company. 
Horses are driven within safe zones for driving in company. 
Potential risks are assessed and appropriate action is taken to reduce impact. 
Speed and distance are measured using industry recognised methods . 
Driving etiquette is maintained when driving in company in accordance with safety of other drivers and horses. 
Horses are worked according to trainer's instructions . 
Post-exercise care of horses and gear is carried out according to stable procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

RGRPSH305A - Develop driving skills for trackwork
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

RGRPSH305A - Develop driving skills for trackwork

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: