Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

RGRPSH306A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Develop basic trackwork riding skills

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency RGRPSH306A - Develop basic trackwork riding skills
Description This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to comply with trackwork rules, protocols and safety requirements and prepare riders for the specific trackwork requirements of controlling horses in slow work, in an exercise saddle, on well-educated horses with docile temperaments.The term well-educated' refers to an animal that has undergone sufficient training to ensure that it behaves in a safe, tractable, and manageable way when being handled, even by inexperienced personnel.To undertake this unit the candidate will be able to apply safe horse handling and workplace OHS standards, and demonstrate competent flatwork riding skills.This unit of competency operates in workplace environments of racing stables, paddocks, yards, racecourses and public areas.Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Check with your State Principal Racing Authority for current license or registration requirements.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency supports trackwork riders to develop basic trackwork riding skills at slow paces with a range of well-educated horses.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Comply with trackwork rules, protocols and safety requirements.
  • Safety requirements, rules and regulations for rider and horse are followed.
  • Fit, wear and suitability of approved gear are checked prior to riding.
  • Track features , weather and potential hazards are evaluated for safety and reported to track supervisor if necessary.
       
Element: Develop riding skills on safe, experienced horses using an exercise saddle.
  • Horse is mounted or dismounted following safe work practices.
  • Balanced position is demonstrated on a well-educated horse in an exercise saddle in an enclosed space .
  • Fitness requirements for riding trackwork are developed.
       
Element: Lead a horse at the walk while mounted.
  • Mounted horse is positioned for safe transfer of lead from strapper.
  • Control of lead horse and mounted horse is demonstrated at all times.
  • Riding etiquette is maintained when riding in company in accordance with safety of other riders and horses.
  • Lead horse is transferred to strapper at completion of exercise.
  • Problems are reported and post-exercise care of horses and gear is carried out following stable procedures.
       
Element: Ride slow work.
  • Slow trackwork is practised on a well-educated horse alongside an experienced rider .
  • Horses are ridden to half pace.
  • Time counting and pace estimation skills are developed.
  • Rules for riding in company on the track are followed.
  • Trainer or foreman's instructions are followed.
  • Skills needed to control horses in a range of common trackwork situations are demonstrated.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 basic trackwork

demonstration of control of quiet thoroughbred horses in a range of common, slow trackwork riding situations

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of basic trackwork riding skills

working with others to undertake and complete basic trackwork riding procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of well-educated 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 candidate's ability to demonstrate basic trackwork riding skills

safe handling areas and appropriate practical riding areas, such as racing stables, and training and racetracks

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment

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

RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices

RGRPSH206A Develop riding skills for flatwork

RGRPSH304A Identify factors that affect racehorse performance.

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).


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

applying safe riding and work practices when dealing with horses

applying trackwork riding skills

communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to basic trackwork riding

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

controlling mounted horse and lead horse simultaneously

counting the time and identifying the pace at which horse is working

evaluating risks associated with riding trackwork

following instructions of supervisor with regard to riding horses in trackwork

identifying and correctly using different items of approved gear

identifying horse behaviour, social traits and vices

interpreting and implementing trackwork instructions

leading horse at walk while mounted

maintaining riding etiquette

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.

Required knowledge

basic industry terminology related to riding horses

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

common horse behaviour, social traits and vices

effective working relationships and teamwork

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

riding etiquette.

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 develop basic trackwork riding skills. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Safety requirements, rules and regulations may include:

adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices

adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare

approved personal protective equipment, including approved Australian Standard helmets, vests, clothing and footwear

considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

following safe operating procedures

gear or equipment that is approved by the regulatory racing body to be worn by horses when being handled

general requirements pertaining to safety as well as specific requirements pertaining to particular venues

identifying and reporting unsafe work practices

identifying emergency situations, for example:

gear breakage

horse getting loose

registration requirements

rider obligations under rules of racing

track rules and regulations

understanding individual horse behaviour.

Determining fit, wear and suitability of approved gear may include:

gear:

cracked leather or PVC

frayed reins, girths or surcingles

incorrectly adjusted blinkers or pacifiers

incorrectly adjusted bits, tongue ties or bridles

loose straps, girths and surcingles

loose boots or bandages

rusty or worn bits

slipped saddles

horse:

discomfort or head shaking

impaired action

rubbed hair or skin

personal protective equipment:

helmet age and condition

vests

boots

gloves

rules of racing.

Factors to consider with track features may include:

corrugations or depressions

debris on track

grading or watering of sand, cinders or woodchips.

Factors to consider for balanced position will include:

adjusting length of leathers

changing hold

correct seat at walk, trot, canter and half pace

correct weight distribution

holding reins

position of feet in irons.

Fitness requirements for trackwork riders will include:

ability to exercise horses at required pace and distance as instructed

ability to respond to common trackwork situations

practising gym and fitness regime if not riding horses on a daily basis

regular use of mechanical horse, equisizer horse or other fitness aid.

Safe transfer will include:

awareness of strapper's position between horses and moving away from horses

controlling mounted horses

folding excess lead in large loops

talking to horses.

Control of lead horse and mounted horse may include:

adhering to regulations of racecourse and private roads

ensuring correct gear is fitted to horse being led, including:

bridle with reins tied off around horse's neck and double clip lead

if saddled, irons run up

if rugged, all fittings secure

boots and bandages secure

encouraging horses to settle at transfer of lead before moving off

ensuring either horse does not move in advance of the other horse at any time

halting horses smoothly

keeping lead horse's head turned toward rider

leading horse from off side

leading only one horse at a time

length of lead

maintaining firm hold on both reins and lead

maintaining walking pace

maintaining safe zones when in company of other horses

walking through gateway, racecourse or stable entrances and exits.

Riding etiquette may include:

checking carefully to make sure way is clear before proceeding

keeping unnecessary noise to a minimum

riding horses to ensure you meet oncoming horses near side to near side

waiting until oncoming horses have passed before proceeding

waiting for vehicles to pass before proceeding.

Slow trackwork includes:

long, slow distance work

trotting, cantering and half pace

working horses on nominated slow tracks on nominated slow days.

Factors to consider with time counting and pace estimation include:

ensuring horse does not overwork or underwork

following instructions

judging number of seconds per 200 metres or furlong

strong canter to half pace.

Rules for riding in company to be taken into account include:

maintaining safe length and width space between horses

track rules:

riding past horses

riding in the bull ring

passing slower horses

entering and leaving track

entering and leaving tie-ups

working in pairs

working with more than two other horses.

Common trackwork situations may include:

broken reins or defective gear

fallen horses or riders

horse whipping around

horse ducking out the gap

horse going in reverse direction

horse shying

loose or out of control horses

track hazards and variations in surface.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Safety requirements, rules and regulations for rider and horse are followed. 
Fit, wear and suitability of approved gear are checked prior to riding. 
Track features , weather and potential hazards are evaluated for safety and reported to track supervisor if necessary. 
Horse is mounted or dismounted following safe work practices. 
Balanced position is demonstrated on a well-educated horse in an exercise saddle in an enclosed space . 
Fitness requirements for riding trackwork are developed. 
Mounted horse is positioned for safe transfer of lead from strapper. 
Control of lead horse and mounted horse is demonstrated at all times. 
Riding etiquette is maintained when riding in company in accordance with safety of other riders and horses. 
Lead horse is transferred to strapper at completion of exercise. 
Problems are reported and post-exercise care of horses and gear is carried out following stable procedures. 
Slow trackwork is practised on a well-educated horse alongside an experienced rider . 
Horses are ridden to half pace. 
Time counting and pace estimation skills are developed. 
Rules for riding in company on the track are followed. 
Trainer or foreman's instructions are followed. 
Skills needed to control horses in a range of common trackwork situations are demonstrated. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

RGRPSH306A - Develop basic trackwork riding skills
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

RGRPSH306A - Develop basic trackwork riding skills

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: