Assistant Starter

General Definition:

• Assists with horse workouts and gate crews

Essential Job Functions:       

• Responsible for loading race horses in the starting gate before post time and serving as back-up for the Head Starter by performing the following duties in order to assist in reaching profitability, guest satisfaction, workforce strength, and compliance goals.
• Serve as a right hand for the Head Starter.
• Maintain a log of all horses that come to the gate during training hours.
• Log how the horse is handled while being loaded in the starting gate. This is called putting "Marks" on the horse.
• The Starter is assigned a horse to handle. They must load the horse to the best of their ability with the information given. - Report any problems with the horses or the gate to the Head Starter.
• Handle race horses and load into the starting gate.
• Responsible for maintenance of the starting gate such as washing gate to keep it clean. - inspect batteries for any problems.
• Set numbers on top of the starting gate, making sure that the number on the stall matches the number assigned to the horse being loaded into the gate.
• Morning work consists of schooling horses or breaking these horses from the gate. Once a new horse is ready, the Asst. Starter sends them to the Head Starter for an application for an OK card.
• Have the trainer bring the horse to the gate in the mornings, continually, until the Head Starter feels the horse has overcome the problem and is taken off the Head Starter's list.
• Also, working with horses that have some problems while trying to load them into the gate.
• Must carry out all duties assigned by the Head Starter.

Education:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and 2 years related experience and/or training; or combination.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Thoroughbred horses.
• Ability to handle horses weighing in excess of 900 pounds.
• Preferably one to two years of prior experience as an Asst. Starter.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Training:

• 1 year work related experience and/or training; or combination.

Licenses/Certifications/Other: 

• Must be able to pass a background check and receive a license or permit from any Regulatory Agency, if applicable to perform the essential job functions
• Texas Racing Commission License (TXRC)

Physical Requirements: 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strength:
  • Medium to Heavy workload
  • Stand, sit and walk consistently
  • Will be required to lift up to or over 20lbs or exert occasionally over 100lbs
• Movement:
  • Will consistently be required to touch, feel, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, reach
  • Will use office equipment
  • Driving motor vehicles as needed
• Auditory:
  • Frequently speak and articulate
  • Noise levels will be varied from moderate to heavy machinery
• Environmental:
  • Exposure to weather and extreme elements
  • Minimal exposure in close proximity to horses