Required skills

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

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

communicating with employer supervisor coworkers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather interpret and relay information related to driving horses in trials

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

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

following instructions

following rules of racing

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

driving horses to and from barriers

driving horses in trials

scoring up

using whip effectively following rules of racing and animal welfare guidelines

warming horses up

Required knowledge

Australian and local rules of racing and regulations pertaining to trial driving

classes of trials

communication procedures with stewards barrier attendants and trainers

behaviour of trialling horses

industry terminology related to handling and racing horses

pace of trialling horses

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements including safe operating procedures

starting procedures

stewards responsibilities

track rules

track condition and surfaces

whip use

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 driving in trials

demonstration of trial driving skills in accordance with racing officials and trainers instructions and adhering to relevant rules of racing

implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete trial driving tasks safely effectively and efficiently

working with others to undertake and complete trial driving 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

The following resources must be available

a variety of harness horses that are currently in training

commercial racing training establishments training and racetracks and barrier trials

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidates skills for driving in trials

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

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 prepare to drive horses in trials. Workplaces include harness stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Stewards' and starters' directions may include:

Trainer instructions may include:

Driving skills may include:

Track conditions and situations may include:

Pace will include:

Rules relating to safe trial driving will include:

Rules relating to whip use will include: