AFS senior Aucutt-Hight named Tech's new 'Masked Rider'
Brianne Aucutt-Hight fulfilled a dream on April 17 when the Texas Tech University senior animal science major accepted the reins to Midnight Matador and became the 2009-2010 Masked Rider, one of the most iconic symbols in all of college football.
"The Masked Rider represents a great Texas Tech tradition and I'm honored to have been selected for such a prestigious position," she said.
Ranch Horse Team. The Clovis, N.M., native has ridden, trained and shown horses everywhere from ranches to rodeos throughout New Mexico and Texas, and competes on Texas Tech's award-winning Ranch Horse Team. She served on the 2008-2009 Masked Rider Field Safety Team and also holds two rodeo queen titles: Pioneer Days Rodeo Queen and Eastern New Mexico State Fair Queen.
As the Masked Rider, she'll make hundreds of appearances and put thousands of miles on the Masked Rider's pickup as she crisscrosses the Southwest to promote Texas Tech spirit and goodwill at athletic events, parades, rodeos and other functions.
Masked Rider Tradition. Mounted on a black quarter horse and clad in an ensemble that includes a black mask, a bolero hat and a red-and-black cape, the Masked Rider leads the Red Raiders onto the field. Aucutt-Hight, daughter of Bob and Sondra Aucutt of Clovis, is the 48th student to serve as Tech's Masked Rider as the program enters its 55th continuous season.
The Masked Rider tradition dates to the 1936 season when George Tate, wearing a cape made by Tech's home economics department, led the team onto the field aboard a horse borrowed from the Tech barn.
"It's still hard to believe that I was selected to be the Masked Rider," said Aucutt-Hight, who fulfilled an ambition that began when her parents gave her an autographed Masked Rider photograph when she was a child.
Davis College NewsCenter
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