Texas Tech Announces Name of Masked Rider Horse, New Masked Rider

Texas Tech has announced the name of the new Masked Rider horse.

When Tech purchased the horse from a ranch in Tulia in mid-January, the university launched a naming contest.

The new horse, formerly named Hollywood at Dusk or “Woody,” now carries the moniker “Fearless Champion.”

The new name was announced at the annual Transfer of Reins ceremony, held Friday at the McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center.

Fearless Champion is a black, eight-year-old quarter horse gelding, approximately 15 hands tall and weighing about 1,100 pounds. He was first ridden by Masked Rider Ashley Wenzel at the Meineke Car Care Bowl on December 28^th.

Tech retired Midnight Matador in October, after he had served as the official mascot since 2002.

The winner of the naming contest is Dr. Corey J. Haggard, an anesthesiologist who graduated from the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in 1989. Although 23 people submitted the same name, Haggard’s was the earliest time-stamped email. He received 2013 football season tickets.

The contest netted 1,364 emails submitted with more than 2,500 name suggestions.

Tech’s new masked rider also accepted the reins to Fearless Champion at the ceremony.

Corey Waggoner has become the 52^nd student to wear the mascot mask and cape.

She took the reins from 2012-2013 Masked Rider Ashley Wenzel, who traveled more than 10,000 miles while making more than 100 appearances at athletic events, rodeos, and other functions.