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 fast work

demonstration of advanced trackwork riding skills and practice barrier training for thoroughbred horses

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of fast work riding skills

working with others to undertake and complete fast work riding 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 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 advanced trackwork riding skills and practice barrier techniques

safe handling and appropriate riding and practice barrier 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, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority.

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 (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 riding and work practices

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

employing techniques to control horses

evaluating horse performance

judging pace and identifying pace at which horse is working

following instructions of trainer, and working autonomously when necessary, with regard to riding horses at trackwork

identifying and fitting items of approved gear

identifying and rectifying barrier problems

identifying and following safe track entry and exit procedures for all tracks

interpreting and implementing trackwork instructions

organising commitments and planning work activities

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

reporting horse performance and wellbeing to trainer

riding horses in pacework and fast work

riding horses into and from barriers

selecting aids in accordance with trainer instructions and rules of racing

using professional judgement

warming horses up and down

working horses singly or with other horses in a controlled manner and according to instructions.

Required knowledge

approved gear

barrier operation

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

common racehorse behaviour traits

common barrier problems

different horse paces

effective working relationships and teamwork

industry terminology related to riding horses in pacework and fast work

fast work riding techniques

personal protective equipment and purpose for its use

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

safe entry and exit points for all tracks.

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 assess riding horses at trackwork. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Horses may be warmed up to and down from working pace by:

adhering to local track rules and regulations regarding pace permitted in specific areas

trotting in bull ring

trotting or cantering in designated exercise areas

trotting and cantering on track before pacework or gallops

easing horse after completing pacework or gallops

walking or trotting from gap.

Pace of horse may include:

strong canter

half pace

three-quarter pace

even time

working gallop.

Rules and etiquette for riding on fast tracks may include:

additional safety awareness and responsibility when riding fast work

easing own horse, should other horses become loose

identifying opening times and days for fast tracks

local track rules and regulations

obeying markers and witches hats

position on track when working past slower horses

permitted number for working horses abreast.

Safe entry and exit procedures to all tracks may include:

ensuring proper width space and length between horses when entering and exiting tracks

ensuring horse is ridden purposefully past gaps before easing at completion of work

ensuring horse does not attempt to duck out of gaps

following local track rules and regulations

identifying gaps for all tracks

observing horse traffic on all tracks

riding horse calmly and without delay when entering and exiting tracks.

Professional judgement may be used:

when rider encounters problems with:

own horse

track or other horses, for example:

horse soreness or bleeding

loose horse

track condition, such as slow or heavy

track debris.

Arrangements to use practice barriers may include:

confirming availability of practice barriers with gap attendant or other authorised track personnel

confirming trainer requirements for barrier practice

following local track rules and regulations regarding barrier use

requesting barrier assistant check smooth operation of front and rear gates before introducing horse to barriers.

Riding horses in a safe manner 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

ensuring barrier training is conducted when ground is suitable and not slippery

considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

following safe operating procedures

identifying hazards associated with barrier training and applying risk control measures

identifying and reporting unsafe work practices and procedures

understanding individual horse's behaviour

using approved gear in good repair

using barriers when there is minimal horse traffic in immediate area

using graduated procedures to accustom horse to barriers

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

Common barrier problems may include:

horse laying back on gate

horse laying on sides of stall

horse burrowing

horse sitting down

horse refusing

horse pulling back

horse straddling front of stalls.