2018-2019 Masked Rider Tryouts

• Tryout Application & Details
• Selection Procedure 

Laurie Tolboom
2017-2018 Masked Rider

Laurie Tolboom, a graduate student from Dublin, Texas, completed her

bachelor's degree in agricultural communications in December 2016 and is now pursuing her master's degree in mass communications. As a young girl, Laurie loved horses and received her first horse at age 5.

Though her family didn't have much horse experience, Laurie's mom enrolled her in lessons, horse camps and 4-H to help her learn as much as possible. Her knowledge of horses continued to grow throughout high school, with Laurie competing in English and Western show events.

As part of 4-H, Laurie learned about horse and tack care, riding and horse judging. As she grew older, Laurie held several leadership positions, including president, and led lessons and discussions on horses with younger members.

After four years of showing in the Texas 4-H Horse Show, Laurie and Charli, her own horse, made the trip together to Texas Tech University. Laurie joined the Texas Tech Equestrian Team as a freshman and served as Western Team Captain her sophomore year.

Laurie's dedication to horses has led to numerous awards and honors, including multiple top-five and top 10-placings from 2011 to 2014 at the Texas 4-H Horse Show; 2012 Youth World Champion and 2015 Reserve World Champion from the American Paint Horse Association; and multiple wins and top-five packings as part of the Texas Tech Equestrian Team.

In 2014, Laurie served on the Masked Rider Field Safety Crew, and from 2015 to 2017, as one of the Masked Rider assistants for the 54th & 55th riders, Rachel McLelland and Charlie Snider.

As the 56th Masked Rider, she hopes to uphold the long-standing traditions of the program, represent the university to the best of her ability and share her love of Texas Tech. Laurie also hopes to increase the Masked Rider's presence on campus and among students.

After serving as the 2017-2018 Masked Rider, Laurie plans to use the communication, photography and design skills she's cultivated while completing her communications degrees to share her love of horses and agriculture with others. She plans to work in the equine or agriculture industry as a graphic designer, photographer or videographer. 

"I love promoting Texas Tech and the Lubbock area, and being the symbol of Texas Tech will be pretty cool," Laurie said. "It's an indescribable feeling, joining the ranks of all these amazing people that love Texas Tech as much as I do. To have my name on that list - that's pretty exciting."

Written by Amanda Castro-Crist
Texas Tech Office of Communications & Marketing

Follow the Masked Rider Program

Program Benefits

• Wells Fargo Leadership Scholarship
• On-Campus Meal Plan
• Paid Uniforms & Accessories
• Out of State Tuition Waiver
• Paid Travel Expenses
• Academic Tutoring
• Big 12 Conference Experiences
• Supportive Alumni

News & Highlights

• Midnight Matador Passes Away
• Original Masked Rider Passes Away, Legacy Lives On
• Memory of Joe Kirk Fulton
• Fearless Champion chosen as Horse Name
• Midnight Matador Retires
• Honoring Midnight Matador

2018-2019 Tryouts

• Selection Procedure
• Tryout Application & Details

Quick Facts

• Official Mascot of Texas Tech University
• Attend over 350 public appearances
• Travels over 15,000 miles per year
• Associated Press 9th Best College Mascot

Meet Laurie

• From Dublin, Texas
• Tech's 56th student to serve
• Graduate Student, Mass Communications

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Celebrating 63 Years

"No team in any bowl game ever made a more sensational entrance." - Ed Danforth, Atlanta Journal, Gator Bowl, January 1, 1954.

Read More »

Schedule an Appearance

Schedule the Masked Rider to attend your event. Appearance Requests must be made at least 14 days in advanced of event date.

Appearance Request Form

Program Sponsor

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo serves as the offical sponsor of the Masked Rider Program. In 1995, Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo) established the Wells Fargo Masked Rider Endowment Fund & Scholarship. Wells Fargo has contributed over $250,000 and continues to give to the Masked Rider program for operation expenses, scholarship, and program sponsorship.

Help Continue A Tradition

Donate to the Texas Tech Masked Rider Endowment Fund. This endowment fund is set up to help offset the many expenses incurred by the rider each year. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Donate Online

Send check to:
Masked Rider Endowment
Attn: Stephanie Rhode
Center for Campus Life
Box 45014
Lubbock, TX 79409