Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to apply advanced track riding skills, participate in professional riding arrangements with trainers, and introduce horses to practice barriers.

The unit applies to individuals, with experience in trackwork riding, who use specialised skills and knowledge to develop advanced trackwork riding skills.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, in accordance with applicable state/territory animal welfare and workplace health and safety legislative requirements.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit. Users are advised to check with the relevant Principal Racing Authority (PRA) for current requirements. 

Pre-requisite Unit

The prerequisite unit of competency for this unit is:

• RGRPSH307 Exercise horses in pacework.

Note the following chain of prerequisites that also apply to this unit. 

Unit Sector

Performance services horse (PSH)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c4b8489-f7e1-463b-81c8-6ecce6c192a0

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria of this unit. There must be evidence that the individual has ridden thoroughbred horses of different temperaments and experience at trackwork and practice barrier training, on at least five occasions, including for each occasion:

• interpreted, implemented and reported back on trackwork instructions of trainer
• prepared for trackwork, including:

• carried out a risk and hazard safety assessment
• warmed up and cooled down horses
• followed racing etiquette and safe track entry and exit procedures

• used appropriate techniques to control and ride horses in pacework and fast work singly and in company, including riding to time over set distances of:

• three-quarter pace from the mile (1600 metres)
• even time from 800 metres
• fast pace – 'let it roll from the turn and pushed out to the post'

• addressed common barrier problems and reported horse performance.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• principles and practices of trackwork riding:

• industry terminology related to riding horses in pacework and fast work
• racing industry-approved gear and aids
• fast work riding techniques
• rules for tracks, including safe entry and exit points for tracks relevant to rider's work
• riding etiquette
• barrier operation
• different horse paces, including half pace, three-quarter pace, even time, working gallop

• common racehorse behaviour traits, and characteristics of individual horses, and common barrier problems
• racing industry safety requirements, including:

• safe operating procedures and risk assessment and control
• personal protective equipment and purpose for its use

• racing industry standards and expectations relevant to riding horses at trackwork:

• communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry
• effective working relationships and teamwork
• racing industry animal welfare requirements
• relevant rules of racing for pacework and fast work, including riders being drug free.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• safe handling, riding and practice barrier areas, such as racing stables, and training and racetracks

• resources, equipment and materials:

• various thoroughbred horses assessed as suitable for the skill and experience of the individual
• appropriate and correctly fitted racing industry-approved gear and equipment for individual, horse and activity

• specifications:

• trainer instructions and reporting requirements.

Training and assessment strategies must show evidence of the use of guidance provided in the Companion Volume: User Guide: Safety in Equine Training.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c4b8489-f7e1-463b-81c8-6ecce6c192a0