NZQA registered unit standard
1599 version 6
Page 1 of 4
Title
Prepare, gear up, and drive a standardbred horse on raceday
Level
4
Purpose
Credits
20
This unit standard is for people licensed to drive a
standardbred horse at a race meeting held under the New
Zealand Rules of Harness Racing. People will be able to
prepare to drive and drive a standardbred horse on raceday.
People will have full responsibility for their work routines.
Classification
Equine>Harness Racing
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
Demonstration of competency must be consistent with:

Workplace and/or stable procedures which must meet the obligations required
under the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing.

Raceclub procedures

New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing and regulations. Harness Racing New
Zealand Inc is empowered under the Racing Act 2003 to ensure compliance
with the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing.

Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992

Code of Welfare: Horses and Donkeys available at http://www.mpi.govt.nz.
2
Candidates must demonstrate competency in the context of a commercial business
operation under normal working conditions.
3
In the context of this unit standard, understanding means that there should be
evidence of a learners’ thorough comprehension of a topic. A learner with a good
understanding of a topic should have applied, or should be able to apply what they
have learnt to a workplace situation and will be able to alter their practices to the
different contexts they are applying their learning to. Assessors should be confident
that the learners’ understanding is embedded in their practices and behaviour.
4
This unit standard requires candidates to drive at official race meetings as notified by
Harness Racing New Zealand Inc.
5
Assessment against this unit standard must be comply with any legislative
requirement for the industry as outlined in the New Zealand Rules of Racing
established under the Racing Act 2003
6
A driver can only be assessed after driving on at least four occasions to the
satisfaction of the Stipendiary Steward.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
1599 version 6
Page 2 of 4
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate understanding of the Harness Racing New Zealand Handicapping system
and nominating process.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Describes the Harness Racing New Zealand Handicapping system.
1.2
Describes the Harness Racing New Zealand nominating process.
Outcome 2
Seek drives at harness race meetings and demonstrate understanding of the horse’s race
performance and the racetrack at which the horse is racing.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Identifies available horses within the conditions of a race which are suitable for
the individual driver’s licence.
2.2
Identifies the horse’s form and race details.
2.3
Identifies the layout and condition of the racetrack at which the horses is racing.
Outcome 3
Prepare for the race in accordance with the New Zealand Rules and Regulations of
Harness Racing.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Gears up ensuring safety and correct function.
3.2
Obtains information about the horse’s prior racing performance and behaviour
from the trainer.
3.3
Wears appropriate clothing for racing.
3.4
Completes the preliminary.
Outcome 4
Start the horse and drive in the race in accordance with the New Zealand Rules and
Regulations of Harness Racing.
Evidence requirements
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
1599 version 6
Page 3 of 4
4.1
Carries out final check of gear, and takes appropriate action where gear faults
are identified.
4.2
Starts the horse, and understands the procedure following a false start.
4.3
Drives the race implementing race tactics which encourage maximum
performance and opportunity for the horse.
4.4
Describes the official procedures following the horse breaking.
Outcome 5
Attend to post race procedures.
Evidence requirements
5.1
Returns the horse to the birdcage.
5.2
Reports any occurrence that may have affected the horse’s performance to the
trainer.
5.3
Attends to any inquiry, or investigation as instructed by race officials.
5.4
Provides appropriate feedback to the trainer and owner on the horse’s
performance.
Planned review date
31 December 2020
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
27 October 1994
N/A
Review
2
23 October 1996
N/A
Review
3
24 June 1998
N/A
Review
4
25 September 2003
N/A
Review
5
23 April 2008
N/A
Review
6
15 October 2015
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0018
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
1599 version 6
Page 4 of 4
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The
CMR 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 standards@primaryito.ac.nz if
you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016