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.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

plans and delivers relevant information, explanations and demonstrations for riding sessions to ensure exercises and activities are conducted safely, according to participant's needs, relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations, and best practice codes

observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve and develop the fundamental skills of riding

uses and modifies teaching and coaching techniques and exercises and activities to cater for a range of individual learning styles

evaluates and reflects on own coaching performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure conduct of sessions that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration and breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable location with controlled conditions for fundamental riding

quiet and reasonably tractable horses in a recreational or training program

a group of participants for the fundamental riding sessions

tack and personal equipment

resources such as teaching and coaching tools and aids.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations of riding and best practice principles to enable safe conduct of all exercises and activities during the sessions

observation of safe coaching of fundamental riding skills, and monitoring and adjusting instructional techniques according to participant's needs, characteristics and responses

portfolio of session plans and self-evaluations

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan a fundamental horse riding session that meets their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the session

interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

problem-solving skills to:

plan appropriate fundamental horse riding sessions according to participant's needs and characteristics

anticipate and mitigate aggressive, misbehaved or frightened horses

address participant difficulties in developing skills

anticipate and respond appropriately to non-routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source, allocate and coordinate tack, personal equipment, horses and a suitable location

monitor and evaluate progress

organise participants into manageable groups with suitable horses for exercises and activities

language and literacy skills to:

produce plans for fundamental horse riding sessions

complete post-session participant and self-evaluations

give and receive feedback

apply for permission or permits to use suitable horses and location where required

teaching and coaching techniques to suit a range of participant's needs, characteristics and learning styles to enable effective instruction

numeracy skills to deliver exercises and activities within session timeframes

personal fundamental horse riding and training skills to a high level of technical correctness to understand skill acquisition and to demonstrate, explain and break down skills for participants

first aid skills and safety procedures appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge

legislation, organisational policies and procedures and best practice principles of equestrian sports to ensure safe and non-discriminatory conduct of sessions

site-specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential risks and any special restrictions applying to the location

selection, use and set up of tack and equipment for horse riding

teaching and coaching techniques and practices applicable to a range of ages and learning abilities

fundamental skills of riding, and specific exercises and activities that promote skill acquisition in individuals and group

fundamental skills of basic dressage

communication systems used between participants, coaches and horses during riding

hazards and risks commonly associated with fundamental riding, and methods of mitigating these risks

characteristics of a range of physical abilities, fitness and motor performance to enable assessment of participant readiness

horse handling and correct riding techniques to teach fundamental riding skills

social behaviour, psychology and vices of horses to recognise and treat individual temperaments and behaviours throughout session

emergency and safety procedures appropriate for horse riding to ensure risk minimisation to participants and 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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Participant's needs and characteristics may include:

age

cultural factors

situational factors

previous experience

fitness level

physical capabilities

injuries and illnesses.

Readiness may include:

appropriate dress

lunging skills

fitness level

motor performance factors

level of arousal which will enhance performance.

Session aims and objectives may include:

mounting, dismounting, holding, lengthening and shortening the reins

using exercises to maintain balance and increase confidence at the walk

halt-walk transitions and walk-halt transitions

turning and guiding the horse at the walk

rising and sitting trot

using exercises to maintain balance and increase confidence at the trot

diagonals

turning and guiding the horse at the trot.

Plan may include:

date, time and duration

location and sufficient space

coach and participant ratios

equipment, resources and horse

exercises and activities

participant information

safety requirements.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits from authorities

privacy

working with children

harassment-free sports policies

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

conflict resolution

communication protocols

use, care and maintenance of horse, tack and personal equipment

training and scheduling commitments

maintenance of records

code of ethics.

Best practice principles of equestrian sports may include:

Equestrian Federation of Australia Coaches Code of Conduct policy

the Australian Sports Commission's Harassment-free Sport policy

the Equestrian Federation of Australia regulations and guidelines

relevant national, state, territory or local government regulations and guidelines

accepted preventative practices adopted by self or peers to minimise safety hazards and risks in the same or similar situations

current and past good practice demonstrated by self or peers in the same or similar situation.

Horses may include:

quiet and reasonably tractable horses.

Tack may include:

halters

ropes

lunge reins

bits

towels

brushes

hoof picks

saddles

saddle cloths

bridles

stirrups

lunge whip.

Personal equipment may include:

suitable attire

personal protective equipment

spurs

spare clothing

sun protection.

Resources may include:

teaching and coaching tools and aids

food and water

first aid kit.

Hazards may include:

horses out of control

horses too close together

aggressive, misbehaved, frightened horses

fallen participant

environmental hazards

unsuitable jumps

lunge rein tangled in horses legs

side-reins too low and participant's leg caught

rowdy, excited and nervous participants

unsuitable horse and participant matches.

Risks may include:

injuries to horse or participant

illness

inappropriate behaviour.

Riding exercises and activities may include:

catching, leading, grooming

saddling and adjusting gear

mounting and dismounting

lunging

exercises on the horse when stationary or at walk.

Safety procedures may include:

horse management in hazardous situations

symptoms, treatment and prevention of common horse riding injuries and risks

equipment checking and usage

appropriate dress

adequate warm-up and cool-down

picking out feet

keeping distance from other horses

riding at appropriate speed on uneven and sloping ground

appropriate speeds to approach a jump.

Relevant information may include:

skills focus

equipment, clothing and resource requirements, selection and use

activity boundaries and training area

safety procedures

communication systems

aims and objectives

rules and regulations of riding

responsible and safe behaviour.

Feedback may include:

information on participant progress

any improvements required.

Rules and regulations may include:

current edition of the Federation Equestre Internationale Rules and relevant Federation Equestre Internationale discipline rules

local event organisers rules or event specific variations to the Federation Equestre Internationale Rules

the Equestrian Federation of Australia Coaches Code of Conduct policy

State Equestrian Association and or Local Equestrian Association Code of Conduct policy

Australian Sports Commission's Harassment-free Sport policy

Equestrian Federation of Australia regulations and guidelines.

Communication system may include:

stance, posture, signals and movements

voice projection over distances

aids, such as headphones or loud hailers

specific commands and terminology.

Teaching and coaching techniques may include:

self mounted or unmounted demonstration and explanation

giving clear and concise instructions

using teaching and coaching tools

focusing on a single skill or tactic

breaking down skills into components

progressing through and linking skills

time management

monitoring and observing progress

adjusting, refining or correcting individual or group skills.

Required knowledge may include:

rules and regulations of riding

riding skills to be developed

factors affecting skill acquisition

safety and risk management

horse and equipment selection, use and maintenance.

Fundamental skills of riding may include:

walk and trot

lunge

balance

turns.

Participant's performance may include:

use of appropriate communication systems

performance and accuracy of fundamental riding skills

attitude and behaviour.

Relevant aspects may include:

effectiveness of the teaching and coaching session

suitability of teaching and coaching methods

feedback provided to or by participants

validity and reliability of assessment and evaluation tools.