Okotoks Dayton Sutherland is on his way to finishing his fourth season as an outrider in the WPCA.

He says that the most important thing for an outrider is to run a clean race, and still being young in the sport he says that will help him learn and grow.

"As long as I continue to ride clean then I will get more rides and will continue to get better."

Sutherland continues to explain that it is imperative that an outrider gets to know the horses they will be riding. Each horse rides different and has different qualities.

"Each horse is their own individual, and they have their own personalities, so you have to learn the horse and understand them," Sutherland says.

Sometimes the riders don't get that chance to work with the horse before the race and bond, so they take the practice turns to do that.

Some outriders jump the horses during this time to find out its different qualities.

"You learn what they do at the top barrel along with the bottom barrel, and then once you figure it out, it is just repeat, repeat, repeat."

Sutherland is currently sitting eighth in the outrider standings.

For more information on Sutherland's career click here.

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