Centennial Champion name picked for new Texas Tech Masked Rider horse

Mateo Rosiles, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
·2 min read

Centennial Champion is the new horse in town.

Texas Tech and United Supermarkets announced the name of the new horse after holding a competition in the summer for naming the Masked Rider's horse.

After 10,000 entries, Centennial Champion was chosen to best suit the new horse as Texas Tech marks its 100th anniversary in 2023.

The 61st Masked Rider, Caroline Hobbs, posing with Centennial Champion at the Buddy Holly Hall. Centennial's name was announced by Texas Tech and United Supermarkets after a naming competition held in the summer.
The 61st Masked Rider, Caroline Hobbs, posing with Centennial Champion at the Buddy Holly Hall. Centennial's name was announced by Texas Tech and United Supermarkets after a naming competition held in the summer.

"That is just a testament to me of how much everyone in this region loves this Masked Rider program," Stephanie Rhode, director of the Spirit Program. "So thank you to all of you who submitted names, we really appreciate it."

A Centennial preview: A glimpse at Texas Tech's big 100th anniversary plans

Rhode said a Tech-related name was picked but there were some honorable mentions such as Darth Rider, Horsey McHorse Face and Partick Mahorsey.

Before the 9-year-old quarter horse was even chosen, Sam Jackson, a professor in the Davis College and a member of the committee tasked with selecting the horse and the name, said Centennial, formerly known as Buzz, had to meet specific requirements.

"One of the criteria is that these horses have to like, appreciate, be comfortable with people - and that's not something that every horse just inherently does," Jackson said. "There's a mentality, there's a mindset, there's an acceptance of the people."

The horse must be comfortable around large groups of people including children, Jackson said, as well as get along with the Masked Riders that it will ride with during its tenure.

Jackson said Centennial wouldn't be anything like his predecessor Fearless during Saturday's due to him having some growing and maturing to do, but expects Centennial to have a successful opening run.

Caroline Hobbs, the 61st Masked Rider, giving a Guns Up with Centennial Champion.
Caroline Hobbs, the 61st Masked Rider, giving a Guns Up with Centennial Champion.

Centennial and new Masked Rider Caroline Hobbs will make their season debut alongside head coach Joey McGuire at the season opener for the Red Raiders.

This is the fifth time the university is debuting a new masked rider, a new horse and a new head coach in the same season, according to Texas Tech Athletics. The last time this occurred was in 2013 with Fearless Champion and rider Corey Waggoner and head coach Kliff Kingsbury.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Centennial Champion named as new Masked Rider's horse at Texas Tech