Texas Tech to honor Midnight Matador during UT game ceremony - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

From Texas Tech University:

With 10 seasons and 11 riders under his bridle, Texas Tech University's Midnight Matador, the 13th horse to ride for the Texas Tech Masked Rider program, will be celebrated during Saturday's football game at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Midnight Matador is the longest-serving mascot in the program's history. Only Masked Rider horse Happy IV-II's eight-year term from 1980-1987 is the closest in length of service.

The observance is expected to take place in the break between the first and second quarters of the game. All 11 riders who were carried by the black steed have been invited to attend the ceremony, one from as far away as South Dakota.

Selected for the Masked Rider program in 2002 at the age of three from Hoggett Ranches in Bluff Dale, Midnight Matador carried Jessica Melvin, Ben Holland, Stacy Stockard Moncibaiz, Justin Burgin, Amy Bell, Kevin Burns, Ashley Hartzog, Brianne Aucutt Hight, Christi Chadwell, Bradley Skinner – the 50th Masked Rider – and the current rider, Ashley Wenzel.

According to Sam Jackson, associate chair of the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Midnight Matador can continue to make limited appearances throughout the remainder of the year.

"The horse is aging; and just like humans, there are things that become more difficult with age," Jackson said. "He can walk and play – it's the hard run on the field that we worry could injure him further. It's like a football player being on ‘injured reserve' – that player can walk out to the sideline suited out and watch the game, but he cannot go in and play."

It is estimated that Midnight Matador travelled more than 100,000 miles to more than 1,500 university and community appearances, including a return trip to the Gator Bowl in 2007, the location of Joe Kirk Fulton's Masked Rider tradition-starting run in 1954.

Midnight Matador was featured on "ESPN College Gameday," "ESPN Road Trip," "60 Minutes," and in the American Quarter Horse Journal. In addition to home football games, he has run at home baseball games, the Alamo Bowl, the TicketCity Bowl, San Angelo Colts games and Cowboy Stadium. He starred in the Texas Tech University System's video for Vision & Tradition: The Campaign for Texas Tech. He also was recognized by The Associated Press as one of the top ten coolest college mascots.

The Masked Rider Advisory Committee is discussing alternatives for a permanent home for Midnight Matador as well as reviewing options for selecting a new horse for the program.