Outrider

Job Overview

Responsible for leading horses to the starting gates and keeping things orderly during the procession. Works closely with trainers & jockeys to ensure everyone gets around safely.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Basic rule enforcement
• Leading animals to starting gates
• Chasing down run-away horses
• Chasing down any early starters
• Sounding the alarm to notify rider injury
• Leading animals for morning exercise
• Opening & closing the track at the beginning & end of the day
• Coordinating with other track personnel

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• High school diploma required.
• 5 or more years of experience working with live thoroughbred horses.
• Requires a great deal of track knowledge, superb riding skills and keen senses. Ability to work weekends and holidays.
• A calm demeanor, physical strength and a tireless attitude are key to a successful outrider.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit outside on horseback in extreme heat; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is consistently required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move, push and/or pull 100 pounds or more. The employee must be able to work outside in various weather conditions, including conditions where heat and dust/debris exist regularly. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risks associated with travel between buildings and back and forth to other areas as may be required due to business demands. The employee is very regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, including second-hand environmental smoke. The employee may be exposed to the risks associated in attempting to resolve issues with live animals, and extremely irate or difficult guests or staff members. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud.

Licenses, Certifications, Registration: Requires a PMW license.