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 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 riding in races

demonstration of riding skills suitable for race riding and making appropriate judgement calls on riding strategies based on a range of common racing scenarios

implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete race riding tasks safely, effectively and efficiently

working with others to undertake and complete race riding tasks that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of horses of different ages and sexes, in different circumstances and in different racing stable and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to horses that are being educated and trained in a commercial racing stable under the care of a licensed trainer and the required resources. 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 and must be conducted on licensed racetracks in conjunction with the State Principal Racing Authority officials, for example stewards or riding masters.

The following resources must be available:

a variety of thoroughbred horses that are currently racing

commercial racing training establishments, racetracks and registered race meetings

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to demonstrate race riding skills

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.

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, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

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).

Required skills

anticipating and responding rapidly to changed circumstances in a race, including emergency situations

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

assessing own performance

communicating with stewards, racing officials, horse trainer and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to riding horses in races

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

controlling a variety of horses during races at different tracks, and under different circumstances and track conditions

evaluating track features

following instructions

following rules of racing

identifying horse behaviour and action

identifying and correctly using different items of personal protective equipment

identifying, preparing and correctly using different items of gear and equipment and assessing condition of same in terms of safe use and need for repair

implementing sound racing strategies and meeting contingencies during the race

judging and maintaining pace

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

reporting problems promptly

riding horses in races

using whip effectively, following rules of racing and animal welfare guidelines

using videos to review races and riding performance

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

Australian and local rules of racing and regulations pertaining to race riding

communication procedures with race meeting personnel and wider racing industry

common racehorse behaviour traits

drug testing procedures

form of racing horses

handicapping system

industry terminology related to handling and racing horses

personal protective equipment and purpose for its use

pre and post-race procedures

predicted behaviour or racing style of opposition horses in race

race meeting documentation

race injury to horses

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

race riding strategies

starting procedures

saddlery and other race gear

track surfaces

types and classes of races

weighing procedures

whip use.

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 ride horses in races. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Race gear will include:

approved personal protective equipment, including:

goggles

helmets

riding boots

silks

vests

whips

business clothes

saddlery, including:

breastplates

girths

girth sleeves

lead bag and leads

rings

saddles

surcingles

stirrup irons and leathers

towels and packing

suitcase or travel bag.

Race gear preparation and checking for safety may include:

cleaning gear, including:

washing plastic, rubber and towelling

oiling leather

recognising wear and breakage, including:

cracked leather

gear slippage

frayed girths and surcingles

perished elastic, rubber or plastic

rusted buckles

split or cracked points

worn padding

worn stitching

recognising approved gear

replacing worn or broken gear

selecting appropriate saddles, girths and other gear to meet weight requirements.

Race meeting documentation may include:

apprentice rides book

clearances

trainer's correspondence.

Track features and racecourse conditions may include:

assessing camber

evaluating track rating

evaluating surface of turf and synthetic tracks

observing rail position and condition

observing length of straights

observing distances between turns and straights.

Pre and post-race procedures may include:

attending protests and inquiries

claiming allowances

complying with drug testing procedures

following mounting yard procedures

inspecting track

making and announcing a decision to protest

presenting to the start

providing documentation

receiving riding instructions

reporting horse's performance post-race to trainer and owner

weighing in and out.

Starting procedures will include:

asking for assistance when required

following official's directions

listening for name to be called

moving into gates promptly.

Form of own horse and other horses may include:

assessing performance of horses at a range of distances and on different track surfaces

predicting stages of race where favourites are likely to move

reading form guides

understanding handicapping system

watching horses trial and race to ascertain performance.

Racing behaviour of own horse and other horses may include:

appearing to falter

barrier manners

changing stride

checking

climbing

crowding

laying in or hanging

not finishing race strongly

not trying

over racing

racing wide.

Appropriate riding skills may include:

adapting riding styles to suit individual horses

changing direction

controlling and changing pace

considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

dealing with pressure from other riders for position in field

following rules of racing

interpreting trainer instructions

identifying emergency situations, for example:

gear breakage

horse pecking or falling

horse racing erratically

horse getting loose

judging pace and position in field

maintaining balance

maintaining control of position and speed

using aids, including whips

judging and maintaining pace, including:

knowing sectional times for varying race distances

following trainer instructions

slowing or quickening pace

using speed maps before race to estimate:

own place in the run

which will be hardest to beat

which will be running first, second and third

whether there will be speed in the race

who to follow

using own judgement when race is not truly run.

Strategies may require modification because:

horse not performing as expected

interference

opportunity appears to improve position

horse is slow away from gates.

Evaluating and reporting horse's race performance may include:

how horse travelled throughout race

incidents in the race

reason for not finishing closer

whether horse had cover

whether horse was boxed in

whether horse was caught wide.

Race incidents may include:

injury to or distress of horse

interference

missing the start.

Protocol for communicating performance may include:

reporting honestly, factually and tactfully

providing information using appropriate language and terms of address

reporting to trainer

providing information to stewards or other officials.

Post-race assessment of own performance may include:

discussing ride with trainer and employer

discussing ride with other jockeys or mentor

identifying areas where improvement could be made, including:

riding horses of particular classes, experience and racing styles

riding racehorses at trackwork not just at race meetings

practising riding horses working close together

viewing race videos.