Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:26 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:26 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Teach the fundamental skills of riding
Teach the fundamental skills of riding
Unit of competency
National Code
SISSEQS303A
SISSEQS303A
State Code
D9312
D9312
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/10/2014
Field of Education
092103 - Sports Coaching, Officiating And Instruction
Original Release Date
14/10/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to teach the fundamental skills of riding. This unit focuses on planning, conducting and evaluating exercises and activities to teach and develop the fundamental skills of riding.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan fundamental riding sessions.
- 1.1. Establish participant's needs and characteristics and assist with participant's registration and disclaimer where required.
- 1.2. Assess participant's readiness to determine appropriate session aims and objectives.
- 1.3. Develop a session plan according to participant's needs and characteristics, relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures and best practice principles of equestrian sports.
- 1.4. Select and access location, horses, tack, personal equipment and resources suitable for the session, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.5. Identify possible hazards and risks associated with riding exercises and activities and determine safety procedures and contingency plans according to best practice principles of equestrian sports.
- 1.6. Assess and prepare horses safely and appropriately for the exercises and activities being performed.
2. Brief participants.
- 2.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the riding session in a manner appropriate to participants.
- 2.2. Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session.
- 2.3. Inform participants of known and anticipated risks, safety procedures, appropriate behaviour and rules and regulations of riding.
- 2.4. Establish a suitable communication system to use while participating in exercises and activities.
3. Conduct riding sessions.
- 3.1. Apply clear and accurate teaching and coaching techniques to impart required knowledge and the fundamental skills of riding to be developed.
- 3.2. Advise procedures for dealing with emergency and non-routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 3.3. Warm up and mentally prepare horses and participants through safe and appropriate exercises.
- 3.4. Monitor individual participant's performance and maintain effective communication during horse riding exercises and activities.
- 3.5. Observe participants during riding exercises and activities, and provide individual and group correction as required according to rules and regulations and accepted best practice principles of equestrian sports.
- 3.6. Facilitate group dynamics to maintain group and horse safety, control and engagement.
- 3.7. Bring participants to a halt safely and allow time for cooling down at the end of the session.
4. Complete post-session responsibilities.
- 4.1. Check and release horses and store tack and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and best practice principles of equestrian sports.
- 4.2. Encourage participants to identify their personal progress and satisfaction with the session, and give feedback as required.
- 4.3. Evaluate relevant aspects of riding session and determine the level of learning achieved.
- 4.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future fundamental riding sessions.
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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Participant's needs and characteristics may include:
age
cultural factors
situational factors
previous experience
fitness level
physical capabilities
injuries and illnesses.
Readiness may include:
appropriate dress
lunging skills
fitness level
motor performance factors
level of arousal which will enhance performance.
Session aims and objectives may include:
mounting, dismounting, holding, lengthening and shortening the reins
using exercises to maintain balance and increase confidence at the walk
halt-walk transitions and walk-halt transitions
turning and guiding the horse at the walk
rising and sitting trot
using exercises to maintain balance and increase confidence at the trot
diagonals
turning and guiding the horse at the trot.
Plan may include:
date, time and duration
location and sufficient space
coach and participant ratios
equipment, resources and horse
exercises and activities
participant information
safety requirements.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits from authorities
privacy
working with children
harassment-free sports policies
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
conflict resolution
communication protocols
use, care and maintenance of horse, tack and personal equipment
training and scheduling commitments
maintenance of records
code of ethics.
Best practice principles of equestrian sports may include:
Equestrian Federation of Australia Coaches Code of Conduct policy
the Australian Sports Commission's Harassment-free Sport policy
the Equestrian Federation of Australia regulations and guidelines
relevant national, state, territory or local government regulations and guidelines
accepted preventative practices adopted by self or peers to minimise safety hazards and risks in the same or similar situations
current and past good practice demonstrated by self or peers in the same or similar situation.
Horses may include:
quiet and reasonably tractable horses.
Tack may include:
halters
ropes
lunge reins
bits
towels
brushes
hoof picks
saddles
saddle cloths
bridles
stirrups
lunge whip.
Personal equipment may include:
suitable attire
personal protective equipment
spurs
spare clothing
sun protection.
Resources may include:
teaching and coaching tools and aids
food and water
first aid kit.
Hazards may include:
horses out of control
horses too close together
aggressive, misbehaved, frightened horses
fallen participant
environmental hazards
unsuitable jumps
lunge rein tangled in horses legs
side-reins too low and participant's leg caught
rowdy, excited and nervous participants
unsuitable horse and participant matches.
Risks may include:
injuries to horse or participant
illness
inappropriate behaviour.
Riding exercises and activities may include:
catching, leading, grooming
saddling and adjusting gear
mounting and dismounting
lunging
exercises on the horse when stationary or at walk.
Safety procedures may include:
horse management in hazardous situations
symptoms, treatment and prevention of common horse riding injuries and risks
equipment checking and usage
appropriate dress
adequate warm-up and cool-down
picking out feet
keeping distance from other horses
riding at appropriate speed on uneven and sloping ground
appropriate speeds to approach a jump.
Relevant information may include:
skills focus
equipment, clothing and resource requirements, selection and use
activity boundaries and training area
safety procedures
communication systems
aims and objectives
rules and regulations of riding
responsible and safe behaviour.
Feedback may include:
information on participant progress
any improvements required.
Rules and regulations may include:
current edition of the Federation Equestre Internationale Rules and relevant Federation Equestre Internationale discipline rules
local event organisers rules or event specific variations to the Federation Equestre Internationale Rules
the Equestrian Federation of Australia Coaches Code of Conduct policy
State Equestrian Association and or Local Equestrian Association Code of Conduct policy
Australian Sports Commission's Harassment-free Sport policy
Equestrian Federation of Australia regulations and guidelines.
Communication system may include:
stance, posture, signals and movements
voice projection over distances
aids, such as headphones or loud hailers
specific commands and terminology.
Teaching and coaching techniques may include:
self mounted or unmounted demonstration and explanation
giving clear and concise instructions
using teaching and coaching tools
focusing on a single skill or tactic
breaking down skills into components
progressing through and linking skills
time management
monitoring and observing progress
adjusting, refining or correcting individual or group skills.
Required knowledge may include:
rules and regulations of riding
riding skills to be developed
factors affecting skill acquisition
safety and risk management
horse and equipment selection, use and maintenance.
Fundamental skills of riding may include:
walk and trot
lunge
balance
turns.
Participant's performance may include:
use of appropriate communication systems
performance and accuracy of fundamental riding skills
attitude and behaviour.
Relevant aspects may include:
effectiveness of the teaching and coaching session
suitability of teaching and coaching methods
feedback provided to or by participants
validity and reliability of assessment and evaluation tools.
Participant's needs and characteristics may include:
age
cultural factors
situational factors
previous experience
fitness level
physical capabilities
injuries and illnesses.
Readiness may include:
appropriate dress
lunging skills
fitness level
motor performance factors
level of arousal which will enhance performance.
Session aims and objectives may include:
mounting, dismounting, holding, lengthening and shortening the reins
using exercises to maintain balance and increase confidence at the walk
halt-walk transitions and walk-halt transitions
turning and guiding the horse at the walk
rising and sitting trot
using exercises to maintain balance and increase confidence at the trot
diagonals
turning and guiding the horse at the trot.
Plan may include:
date, time and duration
location and sufficient space
coach and participant ratios
equipment, resources and horse
exercises and activities
participant information
safety requirements.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits from authorities
privacy
working with children
harassment-free sports policies
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
conflict resolution
communication protocols
use, care and maintenance of horse, tack and personal equipment
training and scheduling commitments
maintenance of records
code of ethics.
Best practice principles of equestrian sports may include:
Equestrian Federation of Australia Coaches Code of Conduct policy
the Australian Sports Commission's Harassment-free Sport policy
the Equestrian Federation of Australia regulations and guidelines
relevant national, state, territory or local government regulations and guidelines
accepted preventative practices adopted by self or peers to minimise safety hazards and risks in the same or similar situations
current and past good practice demonstrated by self or peers in the same or similar situation.
Horses may include:
quiet and reasonably tractable horses.
Tack may include:
halters
ropes
lunge reins
bits
towels
brushes
hoof picks
saddles
saddle cloths
bridles
stirrups
lunge whip.
Personal equipment may include:
suitable attire
personal protective equipment
spurs
spare clothing
sun protection.
Resources may include:
teaching and coaching tools and aids
food and water
first aid kit.
Hazards may include:
horses out of control
horses too close together
aggressive, misbehaved, frightened horses
fallen participant
environmental hazards
unsuitable jumps
lunge rein tangled in horses legs
side-reins too low and participant's leg caught
rowdy, excited and nervous participants
unsuitable horse and participant matches.
Risks may include:
injuries to horse or participant
illness
inappropriate behaviour.
Riding exercises and activities may include:
catching, leading, grooming
saddling and adjusting gear
mounting and dismounting
lunging
exercises on the horse when stationary or at walk.
Safety procedures may include:
horse management in hazardous situations
symptoms, treatment and prevention of common horse riding injuries and risks
equipment checking and usage
appropriate dress
adequate warm-up and cool-down
picking out feet
keeping distance from other horses
riding at appropriate speed on uneven and sloping ground
appropriate speeds to approach a jump.
Relevant information may include:
skills focus
equipment, clothing and resource requirements, selection and use
activity boundaries and training area
safety procedures
communication systems
aims and objectives
rules and regulations of riding
responsible and safe behaviour.
Feedback may include:
information on participant progress
any improvements required.
Rules and regulations may include:
current edition of the Federation Equestre Internationale Rules and relevant Federation Equestre Internationale discipline rules
local event organisers rules or event specific variations to the Federation Equestre Internationale Rules
the Equestrian Federation of Australia Coaches Code of Conduct policy
State Equestrian Association and or Local Equestrian Association Code of Conduct policy
Australian Sports Commission's Harassment-free Sport policy
Equestrian Federation of Australia regulations and guidelines.
Communication system may include:
stance, posture, signals and movements
voice projection over distances
aids, such as headphones or loud hailers
specific commands and terminology.
Teaching and coaching techniques may include:
self mounted or unmounted demonstration and explanation
giving clear and concise instructions
using teaching and coaching tools
focusing on a single skill or tactic
breaking down skills into components
progressing through and linking skills
time management
monitoring and observing progress
adjusting, refining or correcting individual or group skills.
Required knowledge may include:
rules and regulations of riding
riding skills to be developed
factors affecting skill acquisition
safety and risk management
horse and equipment selection, use and maintenance.
Fundamental skills of riding may include:
walk and trot
lunge
balance
turns.
Participant's performance may include:
use of appropriate communication systems
performance and accuracy of fundamental riding skills
attitude and behaviour.
Relevant aspects may include:
effectiveness of the teaching and coaching session
suitability of teaching and coaching methods
feedback provided to or by participants
validity and reliability of assessment and evaluation tools.
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.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans and delivers relevant information, explanations and demonstrations for riding sessions to ensure exercises and activities are conducted safely, according to participant's needs, relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations, and best practice codes
observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve and develop the fundamental skills of riding
uses and modifies teaching and coaching techniques and exercises and activities to cater for a range of individual learning styles
evaluates and reflects on own coaching performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure conduct of sessions that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration and breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable location with controlled conditions for fundamental riding
quiet and reasonably tractable horses in a recreational or training program
a group of participants for the fundamental riding sessions
tack and personal equipment
resources such as teaching and coaching tools and aids.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations of riding and best practice principles to enable safe conduct of all exercises and activities during the sessions
observation of safe coaching of fundamental riding skills, and monitoring and adjusting instructional techniques according to participant's needs, characteristics and responses
portfolio of session plans and self-evaluations
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans and delivers relevant information, explanations and demonstrations for riding sessions to ensure exercises and activities are conducted safely, according to participant's needs, relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations, and best practice codes
observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve and develop the fundamental skills of riding
uses and modifies teaching and coaching techniques and exercises and activities to cater for a range of individual learning styles
evaluates and reflects on own coaching performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure conduct of sessions that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration and breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable location with controlled conditions for fundamental riding
quiet and reasonably tractable horses in a recreational or training program
a group of participants for the fundamental riding sessions
tack and personal equipment
resources such as teaching and coaching tools and aids.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations of riding and best practice principles to enable safe conduct of all exercises and activities during the sessions
observation of safe coaching of fundamental riding skills, and monitoring and adjusting instructional techniques according to participant's needs, characteristics and responses
portfolio of session plans and self-evaluations
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBF51 | SISOEQU008 | Instruct fundamental horse riding skills | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC513 | SISSS00061 | Horse Riding Instructor | Skill set |
| AC613 | SISSS00062 | Horse Riding Instructor - Senior | Skill set |
| J761 | SIS30413 | Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| J764 | SIS30713 | Certificate III in Sport Coaching | Qualification |
| J512 | SIS40612 | Certificate IV in Sport Development | Qualification |