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 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 preparing to ride in races

evaluating form and assessing individual horse's expected performance in a race

implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete preparation of race riding tasks safely, effectively and efficiently

interpreting documentation and other sources of racing information

working with others to undertake and complete preparation of race riding tasks that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of horses of different ages and sexes, in different circumstances and in different racing stable and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to horses that are being educated and trained in a commercial racing stable under the care of a licensed trainer and 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.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills and must be conducted on licensed racetracks in conjunction with the State Principal Racing Authority officials, for example stewards or riding masters.

The following resources must be available:

a variety of thoroughbred horses that are currently in training

commercial racing training establishments, and training and licensed racetracks

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to demonstrate race riding skills

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.

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 handling and work practices when dealing with horses

assessing track shape and surface

communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to preparing for race riding

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

following instructions

identifying and correctly using different items of gear and equipment and assessing condition of same in terms of safe use and need for repair

identifying industry jargon and abbreviations

observing pre and post-race procedures

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 mechanical horse

riding short in a racing saddle

using numeracy skills to interpret predicted speed in a race and prepare speed maps

weighing in and out

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

apprentice weight claim allowances

classes of races

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

drug testing procedures

enquiry and protest procedures

industry terminology related to handling and racing horses

permits to ride in races

procedures for race nominations, acceptances and scratchings

procedures to organise rider bookings

purpose of using appropriate personal protective equipment

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

rules of racing

speed maps

whip use.

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 prepare for race riding. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Techniques for riding short may include:

altering bridge

centre of gravity

local rulings related to leather lengths

mechanical horse practice

position of foot in iron

transition from exercise saddle to racing saddle.

Whip action and seat refinement may include:

changing hold

pulling the whip

showing the whip

swapping whip between hands

maintaining balance

maintaining control

mechanical horse practice

principles of animal welfare

rules of racing related to whip use.

Pre and post-race riding procedures may include:

discussions with trainers or jockeys related to riding instructions

discussions with stewards related to drug testing procedures

inspecting track

observing jockey room procedures

observing mounting yard procedures

observing stewards' race meeting activities

observing the start

observing weigh in and out.

Track shape and surface assessment may include:

differences between tracks in various locations

grass or synthetic tracks

observing rail position and condition

observing length of straights

observing distances between turns and straights.

Classes of races will include:

restricted

maiden

trophy

classes A to D

classes 1 to 6

special conditions

open transition

group

listed.

Individual horse's racing style may include:

discussions with trainer or foreman and other jockeys

observing how races are run:

jumping from barriers

coming from behind

front runners

sprint and staying races

watching races and race re-plays.

Industry jargon and abbreviations will include:

terminology related to:

action and behaviour of horses during race

age and experience of horses

inquiries into the running of races

position in a race

protests

race finish position of runners

race incidents

stages of a race

track conditions.

Speed map interpretation and preparation will include:

form guides

internet

race books

races, trials and trackwork

stewards' reports

video re-plays.

Apprentice claims will include:

claiming same allowance during race meeting

country, metropolitan and provincial claims

minimum handicap weights

out riding claims

rules of racing

winning rides book.

Identifying and interpreting inquiry and protest procedures may include:

discussing forms of evidence

discussing appropriate forms of address and personal presentation

participating in mock inquiries and protests

researching rules of racing

searching internet for results of inquiries and protests.

Rules related to safe and legal race riding may include:

careless, improper, incompetent or foul riding

crossing only when two lengths clear of other horses

keeping horse straight

riding horse calmly and safely into and from barrier.