Required skills

applying safe riding and work practices

communicating with employer trainer foreman supervisor coworkers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to riding horses at trackwork

employing techniques to control horses

evaluating horse performance

judging pace and identifying pace at which horse is working

following instructions of trainer and working autonomously when necessary with regard to riding horses at trackwork

identifying and fitting items of approved gear

identifying and rectifying barrier problems

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 and wellbeing to trainer

riding horses in pacework and fast work

riding horses into and from barriers

selecting aids in accordance with trainer instructions and rules of racing

using professional judgement

warming horses up and down

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

Required knowledge

approved gear

barrier operation

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

common racehorse behaviour traits

common barrier problems

different horse paces

effective working relationships and teamwork

industry terminology related to riding horses in pacework and fast work

fast work riding techniques

personal protective equipment and purpose for its use

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

safe entry and exit points for all tracks

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 fast work

demonstration of advanced trackwork riding skills and practice barrier training for thoroughbred horses

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe effective and efficient application of fast work riding skills

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

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of 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 advanced trackwork riding skills and practice barrier techniques

safe handling and appropriate riding and practice barrier 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 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 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

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to assess riding horses at trackwork. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Horses may be warmed up to and down from working pace by:

Pace of horse may include:

Rules and etiquette for riding on fast tracks may include:

Safe entry and exit procedures to all tracks may include:

Professional judgement may be used:

Arrangements to use practice barriers may include:

Riding horses in a safe manner may include:

Common barrier problems may include: