Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Ride a range of horses in slow work.
  2. Ride experienced horses in pacework.
  3. Organise commitments.

Required Skills

Required skills

applying safe riding and work practices

communicating with employer trainer supervisor coworkers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to riding pacework

determining horse experience

employing techniques to control horses

judging pace and identifying pace at which horse is working

following instructions of trainer or working autonomously when necessary with regard to riding horses in pacework

identifying and fitting items of approved gear

identifying and following safe track entry and exit procedures for all tracks

interpreting and implementing trackwork instructions

organising commitments and planning work activities

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 horse performance to trainer

riding horses in pacework and adhering to individual trainers interpretation of timing for half pace

selecting aids in accordance with trainer instructions and rules of racing

warming horses up and down

working horses singly or with other horses in a controlled manner and according to instructions

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports

Required knowledge

basic industry terminology related to riding horses in pacework

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

common racehorse behaviour traits

effective working relationships and teamwork

pacework riding techniques

personal protective equipment and purpose for its use

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements including safe operating procedures

range and purpose of approved gear

relevant rules of racing

safe entry and exit points for all tracks

Evidence Required

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 riding pacework

demonstration of control of experienced thoroughbred horses in a range of common pacework riding situations

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe effective and efficient organisation of riding commitments and application of pacework riding skills

working with others to undertake and complete pacework riding procedures that meet required outcomes

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of experienced racehorses of different ages and sexes and at different stages of preparation 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 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 thoroughbred horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidates ability to demonstrate pacework riding skills

safe handling and appropriate practical riding 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 andor oral assessment of candidates required knowledge

observed and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidates application of practical tasks

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal 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

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 eg literacy and numeracy demands and the needs of particular target groups eg 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


Range Statement

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 exercise horses in pacework. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Horses ridden in slow work may include:

horses racing or trialling

older horses

pullers

young horses.

Aids may include:

natural aids, including:

hands

legs

seat or weight

voice

artificial aids that require experience and moderation in use, including:

bits and auxiliary reins

crops

martingales

spurs

whips.

Rider experience will include:

ability to recognise own limits of riding skill

appropriate ways to accept and decline rides

duration of riding experience

fitness of rider.

Horse experience will include:

age of horse

education level of horse

experience and capability of trainer

individual horse behaviour.

Techniques may include:

changing the bridge

shortening lengths

using corrective gear, including:

bits

blinkers

cross-over nosebands

pacifiers

rings

shadow rolls

tongue ties

working horse with other horses or lead pony

working horse by itself.

Horse performance report may include:

describing action irregularities, including:

climbing

hanging

lameness or stepping short

describing behavioural problems, including:

attempting to duck out of gap

baulking with other horses

shying

describing keenness to work, including:

on the bit, pulling

off the bit

describing respiratory irregularities, including:

bleeding

choking down

coughing

roaring.

Trackwork riding commitments may be:

arranged by employer or trainer

self-managed.

Obligations may include:

apprentice jockey arrangements

award or indenture

fee per ride

freelance trackwork rider payment arrangements

insurance cover

number of horses each morning

time of morning to ride

what days to ride considering slow and fast mornings

workers compensation.