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 exercise horses in pacework. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Horses ridden in slow work may include:
horses racing or trialling
older horses
pullers
young horses.
Aids may include:
natural aids, including:
hands
legs
seat or weight
voice
artificial aids that require experience and moderation in use, including:
bits and auxiliary reins
crops
martingales
spurs
whips.
Rider experience will include:
ability to recognise own limits of riding skill
appropriate ways to accept and decline rides
duration of riding experience
fitness of rider.
Horse experience will include:
age of horse
education level of horse
experience and capability of trainer
individual horse behaviour.
Techniques may include:
changing the bridge
shortening lengths
using corrective gear, including:
bits
blinkers
cross-over nosebands
pacifiers
rings
shadow rolls
tongue ties
working horse with other horses or lead pony
working horse by itself.
Horse performance report may include:
describing action irregularities, including:
climbing
hanging
lameness or stepping short
describing behavioural problems, including:
attempting to duck out of gap
baulking with other horses
shying
describing keenness to work, including:
on the bit, pulling
off the bit
describing respiratory irregularities, including:
bleeding
choking down
coughing
roaring.
Trackwork riding commitments may be:
arranged by employer or trainer
self-managed.
Obligations may include:
apprentice jockey arrangements
award or indenture
fee per ride
freelance trackwork rider payment arrangements
insurance cover
number of horses each morning
time of morning to ride
what days to ride considering slow and fast mornings
workers compensation.

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 pacework
demonstration of control of experienced thoroughbred horses in a range of common pacework riding situations
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient organisation of riding commitments and application of pacework riding skills
working with others to undertake and complete pacework riding procedures that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of experienced 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 pacework riding skills
safe handling and appropriate practical riding 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.
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).