Outrider

Job Category: Hourly/Part-Time/Seasonal

Reports to: Starter

Salary:  $24.80/hourly

General Description:

Basic responsibilities are to monitor the safety of both riders and horses. Must possess skills to aid in the safe retrieval of runaway horses and removal of distressed riders.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• • Outriders are responsible for ensuring the safety of all horse racing participants (both human and equine) during training and live racing. Outriders generally use their own personal horses to carry out their duties, and many have multiple mounts available to use throughout the day.
  • Outriders are responsible for opening and closing the track each day. Clearing equine traffic when necessary so that harrowing and maintenance can be performed at designated intervals.
  • Catch loose horses on the track as quickly as possible, minimizing the chance of an injury or the need for a late scratch, and bring them to the on-track veterinarian for evaluation.
  • Help riders who are having trouble with difficult horses.
  • On race days, lead the post parade and escort the winning horse and jockey back to the winner's circle.
  • Enforce the rules of the track and document violations, injuries, or cases of individuals engaging in unsafe riding. Report incidents back to the racing stewards. Make sure that all required safety equipment is in use (i.e. helmets and vests) by riders at all times.
  • Outriders anticipate potential problems, communicate with each other and racing officials via radio, summon the ambulance for fallen riders, and assist with loading injured horses into the equine ambulance.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Safety equipment is in use (i.e. helmets and vests) by riders at all times.
  • Boots with ¼" required.

​Special Requirements:

• • The candidate for this position will be a highly skilled horseman with a minimum of 5 years’ experience. Only applicants detailing their experience in a professional arena and providing references will be considered for this position.
• • Must be able to obtain a Washington Horse Race Commission license
  • Must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Provide your own horse and equipment.

Work Environment, Communication & Physical Abilities:

Fast paced, dangerous work environment. Must be comfortable with the dangers associated with horses such as: kicking, bucking, rearing, flipping, biting, etc. Communicate with guests, staff, superiors, horsemen, jockeys, trainers, and horses with courtesy and respect. 

Physical abilities include, but are not limited to:

• • Excellent coordination when moving, balancing, and leaning
  • Bend or stoop repeatedly or continually over time
  • Make continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements
  • Flexibility and strength of arms and legs
  • Work in small, cramped areas
  • Ability to lift, push, pull, move, or adjust horse and/or jockey in cramped area

Tools & Equipment:

Quality horses, boots, helmet, safety vest, chaps, etc.