outrider

An outrider is a person, often a mounted or vehicular escort, assigned to lead and protect a group as it travels. Historically, outriders acted as scouts, clearing the way and signaling potential hazards before a caravan, army, or procession reached its destination. The term derives from the verb outride, meaning to ride ahead of or beyond.

In military and ceremonial contexts, outriders are positioned at the front or on the flanks of a march, patrol, or parade. They perform reconnaissance, relay orders, and prevent ambushes by detecting threats before the main body arrives. In mounted formations, outriders were used to protect the main column and to extend its reconnaissance area, particularly in unfamiliar terrain.

Today, the role persists in law enforcement and VIP protection. Motorcycle outriders often lead a police motorcade, route-clear, and provide traffic control to create a secure corridor for dignitaries or officials. In civilian logistics and equestrian events, the term may also refer to guards or guides who precede the main convoy.

Outside of security contexts, outrider appears in popular culture as a title or character name in various works, and in the plural form as the video game Outriders, released in 2021, which draws its name from the same concept of a leading scout or interceptor.