This unit of competency supports novice riders who have attained basic riding skills to ride horses at flatwork in less controlled conditions with a range of well-educated horses.

This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

RGRPSH205A

Perform basic riding tasks

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Prepare to ride.

1. Exercise instructions are confirmed with supervisor.

2. Designated exercise areas are confirmed as free from hazards and obstacles .

3. Gear selected for flatwork is in good working condition.

4. Horse is prepared for exercise and gear is checked before mounting.

Ride and control horse with consideration for safety of horse, rider and other horses and riders in the vicinity.

5. Horse is ridden alone and in pairs at varying paces using aids appropriate to its training.

6. Horse is kept under control at walk, trot and canter.

7. When riding in company, horses are ridden within safe zones .

8. Potential risks are assessed and appropriate action is taken to reduce impact.

9. Problems are reported and post-exercise care of horses and gear is carried out following stable procedures.

Required skills

applying aids to control speed and direction of a horse at walk, trot and canter

applying safe handling and work practices when working with horses

applying safe riding skills

assessing hazards and obstacles related to horse exercise areas

being aware of relevant road safety rules

communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and public venue employees using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to developing flatwork riding skills

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

complying with safe zones when riding horses

fitting horse gear and riding apparel

following instructions

identifying and correctly using different items of gear and assessing their condition in terms of safe use

identifying gait at which a horse is working

identifying and following exercise area rules and regulations

maintaining riding etiquette

preparing horses for exercise and providing post-exercise care to horses

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

riding horses singly and in company

working safely with other stable employees.

Required knowledge

aids to control speed and direction of a horse

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

gear and equipment

paces of horses

purpose of using appropriate personal protective equipment

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

riding etiquette

road and track rules

safe zones for riding.

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 developing riding skills for flatwork

demonstration of flatwork riding skills under controlled conditions

implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete riding skills for flatwork safely, effectively and efficiently

working with others to undertake and complete flatwork riding skills that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of well-educated thoroughbred horses of different ages and sexes 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 well-educated thoroughbred horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform flatwork riding skills

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

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 and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

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.

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

RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices

RGRPSH201A Handle horses.

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).

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 riding skills for flatwork. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Exercise instructions may include:

duration of exercise

exercise venue

instructions received by phone or email

pace

specific gear or equipment to be used.

Exercise areas may include:

bull rings

bush trails

designated slow exercise areas at racecourses

paddocks

private roads at racecourses

private tracks

rules and regulations of exercise area.

Hazards and obstacles may include:

broken rails, fences or gates

creeks and waterholes

dusty or eroded tracks

horses

machinery

rabbit holes

slippery or muddy surfaces

stray animals, including native animals

vehicles.

Gear selected will include:

horse gear:

approved gear

bridles, including leather or plastic with snaffle bits or ring bits

breastplates

double clip leads

protective boots

reflector strips if exercised before light

rings or running martingales

saddles, including exercise pad or general purpose

saddlecloths and necessary packing

rider gear:

approved Australian Standard helmet, clothing and footwear

reflector strips if riding before light.

Horse is prepared for exercise by:

grooming

requesting assistance from strapper for riding or leading exercise

saddling

warming up.

Safe zones will include:

distance from other horses:

when walking, maintaining two horse lengths

when trotting, maintaining four to six lengths

when cantering, maintaining 10 to 12 lengths

identifying and keeping clear of young or intractable horses

techniques for slowing or manoeuvring horses seeking to encroach on space of others

width between riders.

Potential risks may include:

gear breakage

loose horses

rider injury

kicks from adjacent horse.

Unit Sector

Thoroughbred racing code

This unit contains employability skills.