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 assess driving or riding skills of license or registration applicants. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred stables, racecourses, training tracks and administration buildings.

Stewards oversee the conduct of all racing-related activities within the responsibilities and powers described under the rules of racing. The conditions under which this unit is delivered and assessed must take into consideration these powers and responsibilities. These powers and responsibilities are further described in the rules of racing for the relevant racing code. It is strongly recommended that training facilitators and learners refer to these powers and responsibilities as part of the range of conditions for all units covered in the steward specialist area of the Training Package.
Driving or riding skills for nominated class of license or registration are determined by:
reviewing existing class of license or registration status
using industry-approved assessment documents.
Safe operating procedures for the control of horses in harness or under saddle will include:
cooling horses down after driving or riding
fitting a range of gear relevant to the code while ensuring adherence to the following:
awareness of animal behaviour
checking durability of gear, for example frayed reins
comfort of the animal
rules related to gear application, for example bandages stitched or taped
safely moving around the animal
using approved gear
identifying and responding to behaviour and activity in horses in harness or under saddle, including:
animal location, for example:
stables or stalls
enclosure
crowds
enclosed spaces, including barriers
inclement weather conditions, such as:
extreme heat
wind
loud noises
other horses
pre or post-race or trial activity
signs of distress, excitement or nervousness in horses, such as:
agitation and sweating up
charging forward
kicking
pulling back or sideways
rearing
reluctance to move forward
turning in circles
leading and controlling horses
moving around and working with other horses
preparing horses for driving or riding.
OHS and animal welfare regulations and industry guidelines 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, including track rules covering:
crossing a track
entering and coming off
direction
position of pull up
position on track when doing slow work or fast work
safety of fellow drivers or riders
where horses may be driven or ridden, such as:
bull rings
trails
various tracks
considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:
fences and equipment
other persons or animals
vehicles
wind and noise
ensuring horses are worked or trained only within the scope of their current training program
following industry safety inspection checklists and safe operating procedures
identifying dangerous driving or riding situations, for example:
bad weather
faulty equipment
loose horses
track hazards, such as:
excessive water
machinery or vehicles
other animals
rough surfaces
reporting horse injuries to trainer or other relevant person, such as:
epistaxis
exhaustion
lameness
overheating
using safe and approved gear, including:
bandages, bits, blinkers, boots, bridles and breastplates
cross over nosebands
girths
hopples
overchecks
pacifiers
reins
rings
saddles
shadow roll
stirrup leathers
sulkies
surcingles
tongue ties
positioning horse safely in trackwork or in the field
working with animals in confined spaces
wearing approved personal protective equipment and ensuring helmet and vest replacement terms are complied with.
Driver or rider assessment for ability to maintain control of the horse during trackwork, trials and racing may include:
driving or riding competitively
horse is driven or ridden to and from the track in a safe manner
horses are warmed up to, and cooled down from, working pace and are exercised in a balanced manner in all required gaits
pace of horse is judged and maintained for required times and distances according to plans or instructions
driving or ridings skills are appropriate to a variety of trackwork situations, including:
cross only when two lengths clear of other horses
constant awareness of other drivers or riders
keeping horse straight.
Ability to start a race or trial without hindering horse's progress may include:
driver or rider hand and seat position is correct
driver or rider has demonstrated correct positioning of the horse in or at the barriers
driver or rider has demonstrated safe and correct procedure for driving or riding horse from the barriers
horse is driven or ridden straight from the barriers
pace of the horse is judged and maintained for required time.
Using objective measurements for driving or riding skills tests will include:
developing checklists and using safe operating procedures to assess tasks, including:
applying safe animal handling and controlling methods
applying safe driving or riding techniques at varying paces
fitting a range of approved gear relevant to code and task
identifying and responding to behaviour in animals
leading and controlling animals.
Recommended remedial action may include:
attending recognised training programs
extending period of time as registered person before applying for license
working with or under other trainers for additional guidance or mentoring.

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 assessing driving or riding skills of license or registration applicants
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient assessment of driving or riding skills
working with others to undertake and complete the required procedures that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time in a range of racing industry operations contexts, and include dealings with an appropriate range of situations and a variety of racing horses at different stages of preparation.
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 range of harness or thoroughbred horses
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to assess license or registration applicants' driving or riding skills
safe handling areas, such as stables, 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, 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, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority.
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).