Texas Tech Names New Masked Rider Horse

Fearless Champion HorseNEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 19, 2013
CONTACT:  Leslie Cranford, leslie.cranford@ttu.edu
(806) 742-2136

Texas Tech Names New Masked Rider Horse
Fearless Champion succeeds Midnight Matador as mascot’s steed.

When Texas Tech University completed the purchase of Hollywood at Dusk or “Woody” from a ranch in Tulia in mid-January, the quest was on for the perfect mascot moniker.  A naming contest was launched and the winner was chosen in early March.

The wait for the unveiling of the horse’s mascot name ended today (April 19) with the announcement of “Fearless Champion” as the winning stage name for new-Masked Rider Corey Waggoner’s new horse.  The name was announced at the annual Transfer of Reins ceremony held at the McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center.

Fearless Champion is a black, 8-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, approximately 15 hands tall and about 1,100 pounds.  He was the horse ridden by Masked Rider Ashley Wenzel at the Meineke Car Care Bowl Dec. 28.

The winner of the naming contest is Dr. Corey J. Haggard, an anesthesiologist who graduated from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in1989. Although 23 people submitted the same name, Haggard’s was the earliest time-stamped email, per contest rules.  For his winning submission, Haggard received Texas Tech football 2013 season tickets.

The contest netted 1,364 emails submitted, with more than 2,500 name suggestions.  The chosen name was voted on and approved by the Masked Rider Committee on March 5.

Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu and on Twitter @TexasTechMedia.

CONTACT: Stephanie Rhode, assistant director, Center for Campus Life, Texas Tech University, (806) 438-5546 or stephanie.rhode@ttu.edu.

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