Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statement provides details of how this competency standard can be used by trainers and assessors when preparing trainee jockeys or harness drivers for licensing to compete in races as licensed jockeys or licensed harness drivers. The Range Statement is broad enough to cover differences in work practices, and knowledge and skill requirements of licensing standards adopted by authorities of both harness and thoroughbred codes in the states of Australia.
The Range Statement covers the general principles applying to both thoroughbred and harness codes, refers where necessary, to differences between codes, and details the knowledge and skill requirements specific to each code.

What race gear is involved?
Thoroughbred specific:
Saddles, bridles, reins, bits, stirrup irons and leathers, girth, surcingles, martingales, nosebands, rings, riding boots, whips, helmet, vest, silks
Harness specific
Sulkies, hopples, bridles, bits, reins, driving boots, whips, helmet, vest, colours and alterable corrective equipment such as hopple shorteners, removable hoods, overcheck, removable deafeners, pull up blinds

What pre and post race checks and procedures should apply?
Mounting yard procedures
Weighing in and out (thoroughbred specific)
Presenting to the start
Making and announcing a decision to protest
Attending
Providing
Marshalling and scoring up procedures

What should be taken account of in pre race planning?
Colours of other riders or drivers
Race behaviour and
Track biases, barrier draws and conditions at various racecourses
Track is walked and an assessment of surface made
Track layout, surface, and racecourse conditions are evaluated

What riding/driving skills are required?
Balance
Control
Changing direction
Changing
Use of aids
Adapting riding styles to suit individual horses
Judgement of pace and position in field

What rules should be known?
Australian Rules of Racing
Local Rules of Racing and/or policies
Track regulations.

Who are the race day personnel?
Stewards
Trainers
Owners
Other riders or drivers
Starter
Racecourse officials.

What post race reporting should occur?
Evaluation of
Critical factors of race
Incidents during race
Injury to, or distress of horse
Review and evaluate own riding performance with trainer or via video

Where are the race meetings held?
Registered metropolitan, provincial and/or country race tracks throughout Australia

Critical Aspects of Evidence
The competencies involved in this unit are critical considerations for licensing of jockeys and harness drivers.
Evidence must be gathered to test each Performance Criteria in routine and non-routine circumstances, at various times, on different racecourses, and with a range of horses, to ensure consistency and transferability that covers the range of applications that the standard operates in.
Evidence of race riding or driving skills to the standard that stipendiary stewards deem appropriate to be issued a senior jockey's or driver's licence is essential.

Evidence to demonstrate consistent achievement of this unit's outcomes includes:


Knowledge and Understanding of:
Australian and Local Rules of Racing and Regulations pertaining to race riding or driving
Rules, regulations, rights and procedures pertaining to inquiries, appeals and protests
Characteristics of different racetracks and surfaces within the state/territory
The types and classes of races, and the handicapping system and how that impacts on pre race planning and assessment of horses' performance

Knowledge and Application of:
The different race tactics that might be employed and the different factors that influence tactics
Reporting accurately and effectively on the performance of horses during races, including own and others in the race

Demonstration of:
Riding or driving horses in races, exhibiting sound race tactics, and meeting contingencies during the race
Controlling a variety of horses during races at different tracks, under different circumstances, and different track conditions
Anticipating and responding rapidly to changed circumstances in a race, including emergency situations
Communicating in a variety of situations, including at protests, inquiries and appeals, and with the media and public

Context of Assessment
Riding components (
Planning components (

All assessment must:

Relate to horses currently racing and ridden or driven by the individual being assessed
Include a variety of horses at different stages of their racing program
Include a range of horses of different age, temperament and behaviour
Assessment will need to occur on numerous occasions at different locations and performance must be consistent.

Method of Assessment
Riding competency is best assessed by Observation of work practices before, during, and after races and official trials, and gathering of supplementary evidence through questioning of underpinning knowledge and inspection of records and equipment.

Other competencies can be assessed in a simulated situation but must be related to racing industry conditions and tasks. Evidence can be gathered by:

Questioning of underpinning knowledge
Constructing simulated situations such as mock protests, inquiries and appeals and observing role playing and reactions to questioning
Written examination or assignments

Resource Implications

Resources necessary for undertaking assessment of this unit are:

Frequent and repeated access to presently racing thoroughbreds or standardbreds, racing at industry controlled race meetings and trials.
Qualified Industry Assessors

Pre-requisite Assessment of Units

This unit should be assessed after competencies have been achieved in the following units:

RGRH205A - Perform basic riding or driving tasks
RGRH313A - Ride or drive horses at track work

Processes to be applied to this competency standard
There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. The numbers in brackets indicate the level to which the competency needs to be demonstrated.

0 Not required
1 Perform the process
2 Perform and administer the process
3 Perform administer and design the process
Communicating ideas and information
By reporting to owners and trainers on race performance, by participating in stewards inquiries and by conversing with media, other riders, drivers, and racecourse officials. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By reference to official publications, racing calendars, form guides, computer web sites, diaries and personal organisers. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Process for booking rides is known, racing calendar is consulted regularly, transport to race meetings is organised in advance, equipment organised. (3)

Working with others and in teams
By liaison with trainers and managers to ride work, book race rides, discuss performance, prospects and future plans. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By using time measurement to rate horses work, by use of weight scale for claims and acceptance of rides, by calculating ETA for journeys to racecourses. (2)

Solving problems
By application of riding skills and knowledge of horse behaviour to address behavioural problems in horses during trackwork and races. (2)

Using technology
Through use of mobile phones to book rides, use of computers for internet access to form and programming. (1)