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 processes that are to apply when promoting and maintaining business arrangements with owners

preparation and application of criteria for the safe, effective and efficient maintenance of business arrangements with racehorse owners

documentation related to a number and variety of racing horses that are presently in training for owners and housed in registered training facilities

working with others to promote and maintain arrangements that meet required outcomes

consistent timely completion of promotion, maintenance and decision making processes that safely, effectively and efficiently meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time and be focused on business activities of an establishment that trains harness or thoroughbred horses. Theoretical components can be assessed in a simulated situation but must be related to racing industry conditions and contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency may be assessed in an actual workplace or simulated environment 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.

This unit includes practical aspects as well as the research and interpretation of data. 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 that are currently in training

commercial racing training establishments, and training and racetracks

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to market and promote participation in racing as an owner, including:

racing documentation related to owning and racing horses

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 and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

inspection of completed work

simulation exercises.

Where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

Market the small business

BSBSMB406A Manage small business finances

BSBSMB407A Manage a small team

RGRPSH421A Operate horse racing training business

RGRPSH505A Select horses for racing.

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).

Required skills

applying safe handling and work practices while supervising owners around horses

communicating with owners, staff and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information in the process of promoting and maintaining business arrangements with racehorse owners

identifying and recruiting potential new clients

identifying potential conflicts with owners, staff and others and using assertive communication skills to avoid or resolve problems

preparing accounts for services rendered in the preparation of horses for racing

preparing information on stable success and performance of horses for owners and media

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

supporting others in owning or leasing horses for racing

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation, reports and accounts.

Required knowledge

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

effective working relationships, including teamwork

industry terminology related to handling and racing horses

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

rights and obligations of trainers and owners when racing horses.

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 promote and maintain business arrangements with racehorse owners. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred racing stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Market research techniques may include:

identifying racing participation demographics

investigating amount of money invested in racing

researching other trainer services and charges

reviewing membership numbers

reviewing participation and money invested in other sports

surveys.

Training services may include:

breaking in

conditioning horses for racing fitness

educating horses for race starts

educating horses to settle and try during trials or races

educating horses to work and race against other horses

preparing horses for specialist races, including:

feature races

interstate

jumping (thoroughbred)

overseas

trotting (harness).

Relevant sources may include:

local and racing-specific media sources

local race club

racehorse owner groups

owners, past and present

studmaster of sire of winning horse

owner of dam of winning horse

bloodstock agents or bloodstock sales groups

own website or newsletter.

Needs of racehorse owners may include to:

be able to participate as owner at race meetings

be able to visit horses at trainer's property

be advised if trainer wishes to spell horse

be advised of horse illness or injury

be advised of trial and race dates

be advised on selecting horses for racing

be given a realistic opinion of horse's potential for future success

be kept informed of horse's progress during training and racing

be recognised and shown respect by trainer's staff

be recognised as a valuable client by trainer

be the owner of a winning horse

discuss options for driver or rider in trials or races

discuss racing program plans with trainer.

Services to be provided may include:

education of horse for racing

feed and board for horse

management of sick or injured horse

rehabilitation after injury

re-schooling of horse for racing

spelling or agistment

training of horse for nominated racing program

transport to and from trackwork, trials and race meetings.

Contract for training of horse may cover:

clarifying how specialist or consultant fees will be paid, for example veterinary services

clarifying obligations of owner and trainer in relation to animal welfare legislation

date when fees are due

fee for services provided

method of payment

obligations of owner

obligations of trainer

provision for dissolving business arrangements

rights of owner to make decisions on horse activities

rights of trainer to make decisions on horse welfare and activities

rights of trainer to recover debts from owner

services to be provided.

Training progress reports may include:

comments from drivers or riders in trackwork, trials and races

days worked and type of work performed and any highlights or incidents

expected trial and race plans for coming month

health and injury status, including updates on progress in recovery and expected prognosis for return to racing

races attended and results

trials attended and results.

Decisions on future plans for horses may include:

should horse be:

aimed at lower or higher level races

assessed by specialist before further plans are made

kept with current trainer

moved to different location

moved to different trainer

sold

spelled

should owner be encouraged to stop racing this horse

should training program be altered.

Race meeting arrangements for owners may include:

advising owners of race date, location, race number and time

clarifying number of owners that can participate at race meetings if part of a syndicate or partnership

clarifying use of mobile phones or other communication devices in or near birdcage or mounting yard

clarifying what rights owners have to participate in appeals, protests or inquiries relating to their horse

clarifying where owners can stand during pre-race and post-race procedures in birdcage or mounting yard

ensuring owners are able to participate in prize-giving ceremonies for their horses

organising tickets or passes for owners

outlining procedures at race meetings so owners are aware of where they can and cannot go.

Problems with owners may include:

accounts not paid

confusion over what services are included in base training fees

confusion over who makes decisions on horse's training, racing and future plans

fees charged appear to be high per person for members of syndicate

no account provided

not being acknowledged in role as owner

not being kept informed of horse health, injury and racing status

not clarifying fees prior to commencing training

prize money not credited

unspecified additional charges appearing on accounts.