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 performing the duties of clerk of course at race meetings or trials

demonstration of competent riding and horse handling skills in a range of situations relevant to clerk of course duties

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of clerk of course duties

working with others to undertake and complete 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 race meeting and trial environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace 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.

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

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform clerk of course duties

safe handling areas and racetracks, including registered race meetings and trials

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.

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

communicating with stewards, racing officials, licensed and registered personnel and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to clerk of course duties

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

evaluating risks associated with loading horses into barriers

high level horse riding and handling skills

identifying a range of horses

identifying different items of approved gear

judging situations and taking appropriate action to prevent problems arising or to overcome problems before they develop further

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

relaying messages to others

responding to instructions promptly and safely

responding quickly to requests from stewards or other racing officials

teamwork skills to ensure completion of job tasks

working in a high pressure environment.

Required knowledge

approved gear

basic industry terminology related to handling horses during race meetings

common horse illnesses and injuries

commonly used health and fitness parameters for horses

communication procedures within the race meeting environment and wider racing industry

effective methods of controlling horses in a range of situations

hazard identification and risk management

horse identification features

nutritional requirements with respect to the horse's age and needs while in work

personal grooming and presentation requirements

preparing and providing balanced diets for working horses

protocols and procedures for communicating with licensed and other racing industry personnel

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

range of behaviour traits exhibited by horses

relevant rules of racing

reporting requirements for irregularities and problems.

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 perform the duties of clerk of course at race meetings and trials. Workplaces include harness or thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks, administration buildings and public areas.

Horses are conditioned by:

planning a program taking into account the following:

current fitness

expected daily work routine

term of duties

types of work patterns, including slow foundation work and sprints

determining or observing fitness indicators, including:

recovery time after exercise

brightness of eye

appetite and general health and wellbeing

muscle definition

respiration and heart rate

weight of horse.

Horses are fed by:

ensuring feed is of high quality, considering:

absence of mould or rot

age of material

rodent or other spoilage

providing a variety of protein and energy sources, including:

prepackaged or bulk base feed

varieties of grass, hays and fodders

taking into account horse's individual aspects, including:

age

level of work

individual taste

metabolism

gender

water consumption

using supplements, including:

vitamins

calcium

electrolytes

potassium citrate

iron.

Regular action required to ensure a horse's good health will include:

hoof care

identifying and reporting notifiable diseases

illness and injury checks

skin checks

teeth treatment

vaccinations

waste removal

worming.

OHS and racing safety protocols and procedures 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

adhering to rules of racing and rules of the race venue

considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

contributing to development of risk control measures

following safe work practices

identifying and reporting unsafe work practices

identifying and preventing hazards

identifying emergency situations

trial and race meeting specific health and safety procedures for the protection of others, including:

all gear used on horses is approved and of good quality

protective gear conforms to required standards

understanding individual horse behaviour

wearing approved personal protective equipment.

Identification of starters will include:

brands

coat colour

markings

race colours

race stall number

race book directory

sex.

Assistance to starter and drivers or riders may include:

assembling horses prior to going on to track

responding to directions from starter

moving horses to barrier

assisting in controlling horses after the race

assisting in adjusting gear.

Effective strategies employed may include:

assistance with:

adjusting of gear

leading or escorting horse

catching horse that has lost driver or rider

catching horse that is loose

hazing horse that is loose.

Opportunities for horses to escape and/or cause injury are assessed by:

knowledge of racecourse layout, including access and egress points

knowledge of expected changes in horse behaviour during race meetings, including:

agitation and sweating up

biting

charging forward

kicking

pulling back or sideways

rearing

reluctance to move forward

turning in circles.

Racing participants may include:

drivers (harness)

jockeys (thoroughbred)

punters and other racegoers

race day staff

strappers

trainers.

Racing safe operating procedures will include:

procedures that are relevant to the range of race meeting clerk of course activities, including:

catching loose horses

fitting gear to horses behind the barriers

escorting horses to mounting yard or birdcage enclosure.

Reports are relayed to stewards or starter:

courteously and efficiently

maintaining confidentiality and discretion

promptly

using correct forms of greeting

via verbal and/or written communication, including:

describing actions

giving and receiving clear, accurate and simple messages

listening to and interpreting information and instructions

written reports may include simple documents and notes.