Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statement explains how this competency standard can be used in the racing industry by licensed trainers to plan training programs and prepare horses for industry-regulated competition.
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 industry rules and regulations apply?
Licensing of trainer
Registration and licensing of animals
Registration of others associated with handling animals
Safety of animals and others
Requirements for and eligibility of animals to access training and racing facilities

What research is required?
Pedigrees, bloodlines, families,

What is involved in planning a training program?
Age of horse, conformation, physical development, pedigree, level of maturity, temperament, breeding
Consultation with a variety of personnel including owners, trackriders, and veterinarians
Feeding and conditioning programs of individual horses
Consideration of

What is involved in planning a racing program?
Consideration of recent
External factors such as distance of race, class of horse, weather, track surface, handicapped weight
Knowledge of race programming and handicapping systems
Ultimate aim for horse

Who are relevant industry personnel?
Other trainers, veterinarians, horse health specialists, breeders, owners, racing management staff, stipendiary stewards, and
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Critical Aspects of Evidence

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


Demonstration of:
Designing training and racing programs to optimise the performance of individual standardbreds or thoroughbreds
Preparing and adjusting training and racing plans for a variety of horses with differing capabilities, racing expectations and differing ages
Housing and care requirements of standardbreds and thoroughbreds in work
Ability to assess the racing potential of each individual standardbreds or thoroughbreds, according to breeding, the type of race, racing surface, and conditions, and prepare a conditioning program accordingly
Ability to communicate with owners and employees regarding individual standardbreds or thoroughbreds potential, performance and needs

Knowledge and Application of:
Principles of conditioning standardbreds or thoroughbreds for racing
Principles of feed and nutrition of standardbreds or thoroughbreds in training and racing
Fitness indicators of given individuals at various stages of a training and racing program
Spelling and agistment requirements of standardbreds and thoroughbreds
Feeding, housing and care requirements
Racing calendars, race types (classes), handicapping and racetrack surfaces and how these impact upon individual animals and their racing needs and temperaments.
Animal welfare and/or council requirements and regulations and individual animal requirements
Routine and first aid treatments for care of standardbreds or thoroughbreds
Conformation faults, their implications for racing horses and identification of training methods appropriate to those conformation faults
Recording requirements for the training, feeding and veterinary care of individual standardbreds and thoroughbreds

Context of Assessment
Practical components are to be assessed in the work environment or in a simulated situation by demonstration.
All practical assessment will include horses with varying temperaments and in different stages of work/preparation.

Practical components include:

the accommodation, treatment and handling of individual standardbreds or thoroughbreds; assessment of conformation faults of individual animals.
All other components are theoretical and may be assessed in a simulated situation.

Method of Assessment

Assessment of Practical Components may include:

Observation of work practices at various times during the working day and on different occasions
Questioning of underpinning knowledge
Practical tests

Assessment of Theoretical Components may include:

Questioning of underpinning knowledge
Oral testing
Short answer or multiple choice testing

Resource Implications
Access to a commercial training establishment and the full range of equipment normally associated with same.
A variety of horses in various stages of preparation and as found in most commercial establishments will be required.
Some tasks may be completed using a simulated environment.
Qualified Industry Assessors will be required for this unit.

Pre-requisite and Interdependent Assessment of Units

This unit should be assessed after competency has been established in the following units:

RGRH206A - Apply Occupational Health and Safety procedures
RGRH207A - Handle horses safely
RGRH208A - Work effectively in the racing industry
RGRH209A - Care for horses,
RGRH310A - Oversee safe handling of horses
RGRH311A - Apply principles of basic anatomy and physiology to horses
RGRH312A - Lead and co-ordinate personnel effectively in the racing industry and may be assessed in conjunction with
RGRH421A - Manage the education of standardbreds or thoroughbreds
RGRH422A - Train and race standardbreds or thoroughbreds
RGRH423A - Assess training and racing programs of standardbreds or thoroughbreds

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 conveying to team members the requirements of a training and racing program for individual horses and establishing a system for reporting progress and problems encountered by horses in the training program. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By reference to trackwork records, racing performance, veterinarian's reports and daily observation of individuals work, performance, and health and activity. By discussion at team meetings and observation of race videos. By regular review of progress towards aims of racing plans. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Regular planning and reviews conducted, daily training routine is organised, staff are briefed, progress of work is checked, transport to race meetings is organised in advance, jockeys considered and engaged. (3)

Working with others and in teams
By liaison with trackwork riders and other training staff to plan trackwork and check report on horses condition at completion of work. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By comparing times for set distances to be covered at training and mapping progress. (2)

Solving problems
By observing unusual behaviour or vices in animals and by applying corrective measures at trackwork. (2)

Using technology
Through use of mobile phones and facsimile to communicate with owners and officials, and use of computers for internet access to race programming, general information and email. (1)