Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to prepare for race riding, identify and practise race riding skills, follow rules of racing, read and interpret form, and research and observe race meeting procedures and protocols.

To undertake this unit the candidate will be able to ride fast trackwork and follow workplace OHS standards.

This unit of competency operates in work environments of racing stables, racecourses and public areas.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit, check with your State Principal Racing Authority for current license or registration requirements.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports apprentice jockeys and approved riders to prepare for riding in races.

Prerequisite units 

RGRPSH404A

Ride horses at trackwork

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Identify and practise race riding skills.

1. Techniques for riding short  in a racing saddle are practised.

2. Whip action and seat are refined.

3. Pre and post-race riding procedures are observed and understood.

Identify factors that can affect race outcomes.

4. Track shape and surface  are assessed for impact on individual horse's performance.

5. Classes of races  are researched and understood.

6. Individual horse's racing style  is recognised.

Read and interpret form.

7. Industry jargon and abbreviations  used to describe action and performance are interpreted.

8. Reports on trackwork, trial and race performance are interpreted from a range of sources.

9. Speed maps  are interpreted and prepared.

Understand relevant rules and protocols related to riding in races.

10. Procedures for applying for a permit to ride in races are investigated.

11. System of apprentice claims  is understood.

12. Inquiry and protest procedures  are identified and interpreted.

13. Rider booking, and race nomination, acceptance and scratching procedures are researched.

14. Rules related to safe and legal race riding are known and observed during practice.

15. Procedures to prepare race saddles to meet handicap weights are researched and practised.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses
• assessing track shape and surface
• communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to preparing for race riding
• completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame
• following instructions
• identifying and correctly using different items of gear and equipment and assessing condition of same in terms of safe use and need for repair
• identifying industry jargon and abbreviations
• observing pre and post-race procedures
• reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing
• relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities
• riding mechanical horse
• riding short in a racing saddle
• using numeracy skills to interpret predicted speed in a race and prepare speed maps
• weighing in and out
• written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge 

• apprentice weight claim allowances
• classes of races
• communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry
• drug testing procedures
• enquiry and protest procedures
• industry terminology related to handling and racing horses
• permits to ride in races
• procedures for race nominations, acceptances and scratchings
• procedures to organise rider bookings
• purpose of using appropriate personal protective equipment
• racing industry animal welfare requirements
• racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures
• rules of racing
• speed maps
• whip use.

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 preparing to ride in races
• evaluating form and assessing individual horse's expected performance in a race
• implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete preparation of race riding tasks safely, effectively and efficiently
• interpreting documentation and other sources of racing information
• working with others to undertake and complete preparation of race riding 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 and must be conducted on licensed racetracks in conjunction with the State Principal Racing Authority officials, for example stewards or riding masters.

The following resources must be available:

• a variety of thoroughbred horses that are currently in training
• commercial racing training establishments, and training and licensed racetracks
• materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to demonstrate race riding skills
• 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).

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 for race riding. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Techniques for riding short  may include:

• altering bridge
• centre of gravity
• local rulings related to leather lengths
• mechanical horse practice
• position of foot in iron
• transition from exercise saddle to racing saddle.

Whip action and seat refinement  may include:

• changing hold
• pulling the whip
• showing the whip
• swapping whip between hands
• maintaining balance
• maintaining control
• mechanical horse practice
• principles of animal welfare
• rules of racing related to whip use.

Pre and post -race riding procedures  may include:

• discussions with trainers or jockeys related to riding instructions
• discussions with stewards related to drug testing procedures
• inspecting track
• observing jockey room procedures
• observing mounting yard procedures
• observing stewards' race meeting activities
• observing the start
• observing weigh in and out.

Track shape and surface assessment  may include:

• differences between tracks in various locations
• grass or synthetic tracks
• observing rail position and condition
• observing length of straights
• observing distances between turns and straights.

Classes of races  will include:

• restricted
• maiden
• trophy
• classes A to D
• classes 1 to 6
• special conditions
• open transition
• group
• listed.

Individual horse's racing style  may include:

• discussions with trainer or foreman and other jockeys
• observing how races are run:

• jumping from barriers
• coming from behind
• front runners
• sprint and staying races

• watching races and race re-plays.

Industry jargon and abbreviations  will include:

• terminology related to:

• action and behaviour of horses during race
• age and experience of horses
• inquiries into the running of races
• position in a race
• protests
• race finish position of runners
• race incidents
• stages of a race
• track conditions.

Speed map interpretation and preparation  will include:

• form guides
• internet
• race books
• races, trials and trackwork
• stewards' reports
• video re-plays.

Apprentice claims  will include:

• claiming same allowance during race meeting
• country, metropolitan and provincial claims
• minimum handicap weights
• out riding claims
• rules of racing
• winning rides book.

Identifying and interpreting inquiry and protest procedures  may include:

• discussing forms of evidence
• discussing appropriate forms of address and personal presentation
• participating in mock inquiries and protests
• researching rules of racing
• searching internet for results of inquiries and protests.

Rules related to safe and legal race riding  may include:

• careless, improper, incompetent or foul riding
• crossing only when two lengths clear of other horses
• keeping horse straight
• riding horse calmly and safely into and from barrier.

Unit Sector 

Thoroughbred racing code

Co-requisite units 

Functional Area 

Racing performance services