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The steed made his debut at bowl game, and now there will be a contest to name him.
Written by Leslie Cranford
The new horse along with Masked Rider Ashley Wenzel at the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Houston’s Reliant Stadium on Dec. 28.
Wanted: Strong and sturdy with mild temperament, willing and proud demeanor. Not easily flustered or distracted. Ability to move quickly while carrying substantial loads. Ability to take direction and work with a team.
These qualifications have never been an easy or swift find when it comes to choosing a horse for the Masked Rider program at Texas Tech University.
It took Sam Jackson about three months and more than a dozen candidates to find the perfect horse with the right attributes to replace Midnight Matador, who was retired last fall due to a health issue. Jackson is associate chair in Texas Tech University’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences and Masked Rider Program advisor.
Texas Tech has completed purchase of Hollywood at Dusk or “Woody” as he is nicknamed, from a ranch in Tulia. He was the horse ridden by Masked Rider Ashley Wenzel at the Meineke Car Care Bowl Dec. 28.
Woody is a black, 8-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, approximately 15 hands tall and about 1,100 pounds.
“Woody was chosen as the new mount for the Masked Rider because he best fit all of the criteria that a horse in this role must possess,” Jackson said. “Several of the horses that were evaluated met some of the criteria, but the list of potential horses became quite short when all of the necessary traits were evaluated. The most significant requirement for a horse in this role is to be absolutely well-trained and quiet in his disposition. Most of the horses that were evaluated were simply not quiet-minded enough or did not have the natural disposition to be able to excel in this position.”
Passing the Tests
Jackson said Woody was tested extensively in situations that mirrored what he would experience in this demanding role. He attended band practices, observed fireworks, met Raider Red, watched and heard pistol and cannon fire, carried flags and led the team onto the field in a large indoor football stadium with several thousand screaming fans.
“I appreciate the work of Dr. Jackson and members of the Masked Rider Advisory Committee in working quickly to thoroughly review and select Texas Tech’s new Masked Rider horse,” said Amy Murphy, dean of students. “It took a great deal of effort on the part of many Texas Tech staff and supporters during this interim period to have the Masked Rider represented at the final regular and post season football games and to appropriately test the new horse candidates. The outpouring of support from Texas Tech fans and alumni around the retirement of Midnight Matador and the excitement around his successor has been extraordinary.”
The new horse made his first football ride at the Meineke Car Care Bowl and performed well.
“Woody is a very well-trained gelding that is responsive to his rider’s cues and commands,” Jackson said. “He has a soft, quiet mouth and is responsive to the leg cues that a rider must give a horse to be able to control and maneuver him in crowded and changing environments.
“Through all of the testing he maintained the same calm demeanor and attitude that he expressed when I rode him the first time in an outdoor roping arena with no one around but cattle and horses. After passing all of the behavioral tests, the final critical criteria that he met was that he was a big, stout, sound-structured, attractive black gelding that should be capable of carrying Masked Riders across the turf for many years to come.”
Texas Tech is holding a naming contest for the mascot’s official Texas Tech name and will begin taking entries at 9 a.m. Friday (Jan. 18) through 5 p.m. March 1.
Email submissions to namethehorse@ttu.edu. Only one entry is allowed per email address. In the event the winning name is submitted by multiple entrants, the email bearing the earliest time/date stamp will win. The name will be announced at the Transfer of Reins on April 19.
Related
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Red Raiders Return to Campus After Winter Break
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40 Responses to “Texas Tech Purchases New Horse for Masked Rider”
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Masked Rider Applications Available
Texas Tech University students interested in trying out for the Masked Rider for the upcoming year may pick up applications beginning Tuesday (Jan. 22) at the Center for Campus Life office in Room 201 of the Student Union Building.
The audition cycle is as follows:
- Information session – 4 p.m. Feb. 14, SUB Conference Room
- Written exam/preliminary application due – 4-6 p.m. Feb. 22, SUB Conference Room
- Results posted – March 1
- Final applications and references due – March 8
- Riding practice – March 18-19
- Equestrian/Driving tryouts – March 27
- Final interviews with Masked Rider committee – March 28, SUB Masked Rider Room
- Transfer of Reins – April 19 at McKenzie Merket Alumni Center
Center for Campus Life
The Center for Campus Life offers programs and services that enrich the Red Raider experience by focusing on student transitions, the university and campus traditions, establishing positive relationships with students and families, and maintaining collaborative partnerships.
Services related to the following areas are offered:
- First Year Raider Experience
- Transfer Connection
- Greek Life
- Sophomore Year and Off-Campus Activities
- Community Engagement
- Leadership Development
- Spirit & Traditions
- Student Emergency & Crisis
- Study Abroad
- Student Services
- General Student Services
Connect with the Center for Campus Life on Twitter and Facebook.
January 18th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
” Rostam” is a name of famous hero from ancient Persia.
January 18th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
Spike’s Ghost
January 18th, 2013 at 4:09 pm
BLACK BEAUTY
January 18th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
why did they select a horsewith a white star? isn’t the horse supposed to be ALL BLACK?
January 18th, 2013 at 4:27 pm
The name I would like to submit for the Texas Tech horse is the following: Magic Matador or Lucky Matador.
Thanks,
Marquita S. Akers
January 18th, 2013 at 4:48 pm
I think his name should be “Tex”
January 18th, 2013 at 5:38 pm
Victory bells ring, ride into the night, long live Scarlet Knight!!!
January 18th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
Sharp’s Steed
In honor of Coach Sharp and this marking the 20th anniversary of the National Championship.
January 18th, 2013 at 6:18 pm
MATADOR MAGIC
January 18th, 2013 at 7:37 pm
Guns Up!
January 18th, 2013 at 7:44 pm
Every horse from now on should be named Raider Power. Prior to each run a huge raider power chant should be done followed by fanfare and run. Epic.
January 18th, 2013 at 9:23 pm
Black Marauder
January 19th, 2013 at 2:36 am
My suggestion for a name is Matador Magic.
January 19th, 2013 at 4:35 am
My pick for a name for the new Masked Rider horse:
BLACK MAGIC
January 20th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
While we could name the horse Midnight Matador II, to continue the tradition, I would offer the name Raider Power or RP for short.
Guns Up,
Dick Lewis
January 21st, 2013 at 11:18 pm
Name needs to be Lucky
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:00 pm
I think the name should be “black dream”
January 22nd, 2013 at 5:58 pm
The Horse should be named Midnight or Blackout
January 23rd, 2013 at 4:24 pm
Raiders Dream
January 25th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
“Conquistador” …. this is a very strong name and reflects our area and Texas Tech’s history.
January 25th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Tuxedo Toreador
January 25th, 2013 at 11:02 pm
Suggested horse name:
Ebony Raider Red
January 25th, 2013 at 11:20 pm
“Thunder” or “Lightning”…… It represents a strong black horse.
January 28th, 2013 at 6:12 am
Darkened Dawn, or Dawns Darkness,
January 29th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
I think the name should be Black Smoke
January 29th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
I think a good name would be “Smokin’ Jet”
January 29th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Smokin’ Matador
February 3rd, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Raider Rampage
February 6th, 2013 at 9:48 pm
A new horse, a new beginng, a horse named Sunrise Matador.
February 6th, 2013 at 11:50 pm
My suggestion for a name for the new horse Woody would be DARTH RAIDER. Thank You, Cliff Rogers.
February 6th, 2013 at 11:58 pm
“Masked Abyss ” ……
February 15th, 2013 at 1:46 am
I think the new horse should be named Klifford.
February 15th, 2013 at 2:16 am
BLACK KNIGHT OR TORNADO!!!
February 17th, 2013 at 2:45 pm
I think his name should be
TECHSON
February 17th, 2013 at 4:28 pm
Name the horse
Dark Raider
February 28th, 2013 at 5:58 pm
Name the horse “Senor Swagger”
February 28th, 2013 at 11:50 pm
MR. Red
March 1st, 2013 at 4:20 pm
Invicta
In Latin, Invicta means Unconquerable
March 1st, 2013 at 4:23 pm
Mariah
Out here they have a name for rain and wind and fire. The rain is Tess, the fire’s Joe and they call the wind, Mariah.
Run like the wind!
March 9th, 2013 at 2:30 am
Unfortunately, I let the deadline slide past me to name this gorgeous horse. My thoughts for his name were taken from The Matador Song such as Fearless Champion, Loyalty, or Spirit Wind. Whatever name is chosen for this magnificent steed should reflect the pride and dignity of the University he symbolizes: Texas Tech University. Choose carefully, and my congratulations to your winning name.
Appreciatively,
Mary George Beyer, MED 2004