Cindi Johnson is an angel without wings

by Victoria Howard

When most people think about what an angel looks like, they might visualize a tall male with long blond hair, sent from above to protect us. These are known as “Guardian Angels,” and it is said that everybody has one assigned to them. We may not see or feel this celestial being, but when we are confronted with danger, somehow miraculously we manage to get out of it.

Although Cindi Johnson doesn’t fit that description visually, in the sport of harness racing there are times when a driver and/or horse’s life is put in danger due to an accident, loose horse, or a racehorse refusing to go to the gate, and at those times, as an outrider, she is that angel.

Going at a speed of 30 or 35 miles per hour, a horse can get spooked, like when a bird flies too close, or an animal runs across the racetrack while a race is going on. This may cause the horse to make a break, thus potentially causing a catastrophic situation.

Sadly, just as in other sports, harness racing can be dangerous.

During the history of harness racing, we have lost many wonderful drivers such as Billy Haughton, Shelley Goudreau, and the latest, a young driver named Hunter Myers who succumbed to his injuries last year during a race at The Meadows.

So, you see, racing is not all fun and games as many people think. It’s horsemen doing what they love to do, even if there are risks.

The people and horses that put their life on the line every time they hit the racetrack are all heroes.

It is the job of the outrider to serve as an on-track safety officer, ready to respond to and manage any risks during training or racing.

These are the guardian angels to the drivers and horses.

Just like a lifeguard monitors a beach to prevent accidents and rescue swimmers in distress, an outrider scans the track to protect drivers and horses from harm.

These “angels on top of a horse” do not do this because it is a high paying job. They get nowhere near as much money as the drivers or trainers.

So, why did they choose this risky job?

I asked that question to Johnson who spent 20 years as an outrider working at several racetracks.

“I grew up in the business as both my uncles and mother were involved in harness racing,” Johnson said. “We raced our horses mainly at Louisville Downs and The Red Mile in Kentucky.

“I have been an outrider for 20 years, starting at one of the greatest harness racetracks, Pompano Park, located in Florida.”

Johnson was an outrider at Pompano six years, along with ponying thoroughbreds at Gulfstream Park, Calder Racecourse, and Hialeah Park.

“A woman named Mina LaRue who was my mentor and teacher got me the job at Pompano,” Johnson said. “In 2003 I got a job outriding at Lebanon Raceway in Ohio and rode the first year at Miami Valley and Dayton Raceway.

“In 2007 I started riding at Scioto Downs and in Delaware at The Little Brown Jug.

“Outriding at the Little Brown Jug was the experience of a lifetime, and if you’ve never been there, you must go.

“It’s what harness racing is all about. Everyone is cheering for one another and it’s one big family. I rode at the Jug for 10 years and have priceless memories I will always cherish.”

Johnson acknowledged that the job can be dangerous at times, and that an outrider must be alert every minute.

“My scariest experience in riding was at Lebanon Raceway,” she said. “I believe it was 2005 and the lights went out. The race had started and the horses were going to the three-quarter pole when, BAM, the lights went out.

“It took me a minute to focus, but then I saw one of the drivers on the track, so I yelled ‘get to the fence if you could,’ and thankfully, he did.

“I knew there was a loose horse somewhere out there, but it was pitch black and I couldn’t see a thing.

“Driver Jeff Fout began hollering, ‘Cindi, I’m here.’ But it wasn’t me who was behind him, it was the runaway horse.

“I caught the horse and the races were canceled the rest of the night because the lights never came back on.”

Johnson also mentioned an incident at Lebanon Raceway.

“Five horses went down in a race,” she said. “One of the horses pulled himself up and went to the paddock and I caught the other four. Again, thank God there were no serious injuries.”

According to Johnson, the sport changed during her two decades in the saddle.

“I know our sport is nothing like it used to be,” she said. “The horses today are going faster than ever, which is making it much riskier for the drivers and horses.

“As far as making it safer, I’m not sure what can be done because after all, it is horse racing.”

Although she is no longer outriding, the 2010 LeeAnne Pooler Unsung Hero Award winner has a wealth of knowledge to share.

“My mother got sick, so in 2017 I retired to care for her,” Johnson said. “I was 56 years old at the time and after outriding for 20 years, I thought it was time.

“My advice to someone who is thinking about making outriding a career is to first have a good horse under you; one that is calm and willing to do his job, and to always stay on your toes because things can happen at the drop of a dime.

“I tell them, if you are going to be an outrider there will be a lot of long days and nights. Sometimes the track is open on a holiday and instead of going to that picnic or party you were invited to; you have to be at the track ready to work until the last race is over and everyone is safe.

“And of course, never put yourself in a situation where you and your horse can get hurt.

“So, you must love horses, the racing, and in a way be married to your job. But like people say, ‘When you love what you do, you’re never working.’ And I loved what I did and wouldn’t change it for the world!”