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Represent and/or assist an owner at harness raceday or trials

Level / 4
Credits / 4

PurposeThis unit standard is for people involved at a supervisory level who may be required to carry out activities on raceday in the absence of the owner or trainer.

People credited with this unit standard are able to: prepare the horse for travel and transport to venue; prepare the horse and attend to requirements for racing; liaise with the driver with details of the horse’s past performance and driving tactics; and accompany the horse throughout the swabbing procedure, and report results of swabbing.

Subfield / Equine
Domain / Harness Racing
Status / Registered
Status date / 23 April 2008
Date version published / 23 April 2008
Planned review date / 31 December 2013
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0018

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, the Racing Act 2003, and their subsequent amendments.

2Race club procedures are the documented practices and polices required within a particular race club, and do not contravene the Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Horses (Wellington: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 1993) or available at

3For this unit standard the practical assessment evidence must be provided in the context of a commercial business operation under normal working conditions.

4The Official New Zealand Road Code (Land Transport NZ) latest editionapplies to driving and leading horses on the road.

5Harness Racing New Zealand Inc is empowered under the Racing Act 2003 to ensure compliance with the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Prepare the horse for travel and transport to venue.

Performance criteria

1.1Check and preparation of vehicle for transport ensures it is safe and ready for the horse to enter.

Rangehazards may include but are not limited to – protruding objects, slippery surfaces, loose objects.

1.2The horse is prepared with safety gear ready for travel in a manner which provides physical protection to limbs, head, and tail.

1.3The horse is loaded onto the vehicle in preparation for travel in a manner which does not cause injury to horse or handler.

1.4Vehicle is driven in accordance with the Road Code and in a manner which is safe, and comfortable for the horse.

Element 2

Prepare the horse and attend to requirements for racing.

Performance criteria

2.1Horse is stabled at the race venue according to trainer’s instructions and race club procedures.

2.2Fees for racing are paid to the racing club secretary according to race club procedures.

2.3Colours are obtained from previous race and delivered to the driver according to race club procedures.

2.4Horse is geared up according to trainer's instructions and handed over to driver at specified time according to race club procedures.

Element 3

Liaise with the driver with details of the horse’s past performance and driving tactics.

Performance criteria

3.1Horse’s previous performance on the track is outlined in terms of barrier manners, reaction to horses racing close, performance at races and training, and gear changes.

3.2Driving tactics are formulated in accordance with horse’s present racing condition and performance of other horses in the field.

Element 4

Accompany the horse throughout the swabbing procedure, and report results of swabbing.

Performance criteria

4.1Procedure for swabbing, including witnessing, is followed as instructed by the Swabbing Steward in accordance with race club procedures.

4.2Racing Club standards of etiquette are followed throughout swabbing procedure and following swabbing.

Rangeno smoking, do not leave horse, do not cause delays, no drinking, no eating, report to trainer at first available opportunity.

4.3Procedures for testing, obtaining sample results and notification are described in accordance with the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018