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 prepare to drive horses in trials. Workplaces include harness stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Stewards' and starters' directions may include:
complying with requests
listening for instructions
moving on and off track promptly
moving to gates promptly
providing documentation.
Trainer instructions may include:
listening and responding
following instructions where possible
information related to horse's:
action
barrier manners
race or trial behaviour
warm-up requirements
reasons for trialling:
conditioning
education or re-education
gear change
stewards' observation
whip use.
Driving skills may include:
ability to position horse safely in field
adapting driving style to suit individual horses
adapting driving style to suit trial conditions
changing pace
constant awareness of other drivers
considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:
fences and equipment
other persons or animals
vehicles
wind and noise
following rules of racing
identifying emergency situations, for example:
gear breakage
horse getting loose
judging pace and position in field
maintaining balance
maintaining control of position and speed
maintaining or improving position
using aids, including whips
wearing personal protective equipment.
Track conditions and situations may include:
camber
designated track for trials
track rating
track surface
hazards
negotiating turns
shifting ground
undulating ground
weather.
Pace will include:
demonstrating understanding of speed relative to trial distance
following trainer instructions
slowing or quickening pace.
Rules relating to safe trial driving will include:
careless, improper, incompetent or foul driving
crossing only when two lengths clear of other horses
keeping horse straight
driving horse calmly and safely to and from the barriers.
Rules relating to whip use will include:
approved rider use of whip
features of a legal race-riding whip
reasons for use of whip
rules and regulations governing non-use of whip:
forward of the horse's shoulder or near its head
in an excessive, unnecessary or improper manner
when horse is showing no response
when horse is out of contention
when horse is clearly winning
when horse has passed the winning post.

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 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 driving in trials
demonstration of trial driving skills in accordance with racing officials' and trainer's instructions and adhering to relevant rules of racing
implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete trial driving tasks safely, effectively and efficiently
working with others to undertake and complete trial driving tasks that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of horses of different ages and sexes, in different circumstances and in different racing stable and track environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to horses that are being educated and trained in a commercial racing stable under the care of a licensed trainer and 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 variety of harness horses that are currently in training
commercial racing training establishments, training and racetracks, and barrier trials
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's skills for driving in trials
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.
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).