Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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 basic trackwork riding skills. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Safety requirements, rules and regulations 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
approved personal protective equipment, including approved Australian Standard helmets, vests, clothing and footwear
considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:
fences and equipment
other persons or animals
vehicles
wind and noise
following safe operating procedures
gear or equipment that is approved by the regulatory racing body to be worn by horses when being handled
general requirements pertaining to safety as well as specific requirements pertaining to particular venues
identifying and reporting unsafe work practices
identifying emergency situations, for example:
gear breakage
horse getting loose
registration requirements
rider obligations under rules of racing
track rules and regulations
understanding individual horse behaviour.
Determining fit, wear and suitability of approved gear may include:
gear:
cracked leather or PVC
frayed reins, girths or surcingles
incorrectly adjusted blinkers or pacifiers
incorrectly adjusted bits, tongue ties or bridles
loose straps, girths and surcingles
loose boots or bandages
rusty or worn bits
slipped saddles
horse:
discomfort or head shaking
impaired action
rubbed hair or skin
personal protective equipment:
helmet age and condition
vests
boots
gloves
rules of racing.
Factors to consider with track features may include:
corrugations or depressions
debris on track
grading or watering of sand, cinders or woodchips.
Factors to consider for balanced position will include:
adjusting length of leathers
changing hold
correct seat at walk, trot, canter and half pace
correct weight distribution
holding reins
position of feet in irons.
Fitness requirements for trackwork riders will include:
ability to exercise horses at required pace and distance as instructed
ability to respond to common trackwork situations
practising gym and fitness regime if not riding horses on a daily basis
regular use of mechanical horse, equisizer horse or other fitness aid.
Safe transfer will include:
awareness of strapper's position between horses and moving away from horses
controlling mounted horses
folding excess lead in large loops
talking to horses.
Control of lead horse and mounted horse may include:
adhering to regulations of racecourse and private roads
ensuring correct gear is fitted to horse being led, including:
bridle with reins tied off around horse's neck and double clip lead
if saddled, irons run up
if rugged, all fittings secure
boots and bandages secure
encouraging horses to settle at transfer of lead before moving off
ensuring either horse does not move in advance of the other horse at any time
halting horses smoothly
keeping lead horse's head turned toward rider
leading horse from off side
leading only one horse at a time
length of lead
maintaining firm hold on both reins and lead
maintaining walking pace
maintaining safe zones when in company of other horses
walking through gateway, racecourse or stable entrances and exits.
Riding etiquette may include:
checking carefully to make sure way is clear before proceeding
keeping unnecessary noise to a minimum
riding horses to ensure you meet oncoming horses near side to near side
waiting until oncoming horses have passed before proceeding
waiting for vehicles to pass before proceeding.
Slow trackwork includes:
long, slow distance work
trotting, cantering and half pace
working horses on nominated slow tracks on nominated slow days.
Factors to consider with time counting and pace estimation include:
ensuring horse does not overwork or underwork
following instructions
judging number of seconds per 200 metres or furlong
strong canter to half pace.
Rules for riding in company to be taken into account include:
maintaining safe length and width space between horses
track rules:
riding past horses
riding in the bull ring
passing slower horses
entering and leaving track
entering and leaving tie-ups
working in pairs
working with more than two other horses.
Common trackwork situations may include:
broken reins or defective gear
fallen horses or riders
horse whipping around
horse ducking out the gap
horse going in reverse direction
horse shying
loose or out of control horses
track hazards and variations in surface.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 basic trackwork
demonstration of control of quiet thoroughbred horses in a range of common, slow trackwork riding situations
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of basic trackwork riding skills
working with others to undertake and complete basic trackwork riding procedures that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of well-educated 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 basic trackwork riding skills
safe handling areas and appropriate practical riding areas, such as racing stables, and training and racetracks
work instructions and related documentation.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:
RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices
RGRPSH206A Develop riding skills for flatwork
RGRPSH304A Identify factors that affect racehorse performance.
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).