When you arrive at a horse race, you always encounter the expected elements: the stands full of dapper onlookers, the booming announcer over the loudspeaker and, of course, the horses and jockeys strutting to the starting gate. But what if suddenly, a horse — sans rider — streaks down the track, having gotten loose? It happens, but then a rider wearing red will run out in front and catch it. That person is an outrider, there to ensure that everyone on the track — human and equine — remains safe.