Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare riders for trackwork riding, including complying with trackwork rules, protocols and safety requirements.

The unit applies to individuals who work under supervision, using practical skills and specialised knowledge relevant to riding horses at trackwork.

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: 

• RGRPSH205 Perform basic riding skills in the racing industry.

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 carried out trackwork riding under saddle, with four different well-educated, compliant and manageable horses of different ages and temperaments, at a range of paces on a training track, including:

• followed trainer or foreman instructions relating to safety and trackwork requirements
• developed skills riding slow trackwork, including:

• maintained balance riding two-point and bridging reins using an exercise saddle
• rode alongside others – maintaining pace and a straight line
• counted time and identified different paces
• followed track rules and riding etiquette

• correctly used appropriate items of racing industry-approved horse gear and personal protective equipment.

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:

• trackwork riding techniques, etiquette and fitness requirements
• types, purpose and compliance requirements of racing industry-approved gear and equipment
• common thoroughbred horse behaviour, body language and social traits, including known characteristics of individual horses being ridden
• rules of racing related to riding trackwork, track policies and regulations – understanding that each track has different requirements
• features of tracks, including:

• track distance markers, gaps, exits
• rules relating to entry and exit track and where horses are able to work at different paces
• track etiquette

• time counting and pace estimation techniques
• racing industry procedures and expectations relevant to basic trackwork riding, including:

• communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry
• animal welfare principles and compliance requirements
• safety requirements for when interacting with horses
• basic industry terminology
• trackwork licensing requirements.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a safe training track or controlled environment

• resources, equipment and materials:

• a variety of well-educated, compliant and manageable horses of different ages and temperaments, assessed as suitable for the experience and skill of the individual and the activity
• racing industry-approved tack and personal protective equipment for individual, horse and trackwork activity

• specifications:

• work instructions and related workplace documentation.

Training and assessment strategies must show evidence 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