Required skills

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

communicating with stewards racing officials licensed and registered personnel and others using assertive communication techniques to gather interpret and relay information related to clerk of course duties

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

evaluating risks associated with loading horses into barriers

high level horse riding and handling skills

identifying a range of horses

identifying different items of approved gear

judging situations and taking appropriate action to prevent problems arising or to overcome problems before they develop further

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

relaying messages to others

responding to instructions promptly and safely

responding quickly to requests from stewards or other racing officials

teamwork skills to ensure completion of job tasks

working in a high pressure environment

Required knowledge

approved gear

basic industry terminology related to handling horses during race meetings

common horse illnesses and injuries

commonly used health and fitness parameters for horses

communication procedures within the race meeting environment and wider racing industry

effective methods of controlling horses in a range of situations

hazard identification and risk management

horse identification features

nutritional requirements with respect to the horses age and needs while in work

personal grooming and presentation requirements

preparing and providing balanced diets for working horses

protocols and procedures for communicating with licensed and other racing industry personnel

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements including safe operating procedures

range of behaviour traits exhibited by horses

relevant rules of racing

reporting requirements for irregularities and problems

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 performing the duties of clerk of course at race meetings or trials

demonstration of competent riding and horse handling skills in a range of situations relevant to clerk of course duties

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe effective and efficient application of clerk of course duties

working with others to undertake and complete 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 race meeting and trial environments

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to 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 or thoroughbred horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidates ability to perform clerk of course duties

safe handling areas and racetracks including registered race meetings and 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 documented 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

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 perform the duties of clerk of course at race meetings and trials. Workplaces include harness or thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks, administration buildings and public areas.

Horses are conditioned by:

Horses are fed by:

Regular action required to ensure a horse's good health will include:

OHS and racing safety protocols and procedures may include:

Identification of starters will include:

Assistance to starter and drivers or riders may include:

Effective strategies employed may include:

Opportunities for horses to escape and/or cause injury are assessed by:

Racing participants may include:

Racing safe operating procedures will include:

Reports are relayed to stewards or starter: