GoHorseShow.com has learned that one of the industry’s most dominant all-around horses, Certify This Chex, has sold to the Tamulewicz family of Columbus, Ohio. This 2001 Bay gelding were often in the spotlight this year when he and his partner Carey Nowacek won the AQHYA World Show and Congress in the Horsemanship. We talked to Carey, and her trainer, Brad Jewett about what they will remember most about this outstanding gelding. We also talked to the new owner, Bree Tamulewicz about the exciting new addition to her family.
But first, let’s look back at, Certify This Chex, and Carey Nowacek’s youth career.
In her last year in youth, she won a AQHYA Youth World Championship in Horsemanship. She also won her first Congress trophy in the 15-18 Horsemanship at this year’s Congress and was Reserve Champion in 15-18 Showmanship. This duo was also nearing a thousand points in their four years together in nine different classes. You also can’t forget that she started the trend of wearing a plain black button down shirt in the Horsemanship.
By the end of the Congress, Nowacek also was awarded the High Point Youth in the 15-18 All Around and took Reserve in the All Age Youth All Around. She also came to terms that this was a crossroads and the end of her youth career. Nowacek explained to GoHorseShow.com that she was ready to move on to a new challenge. Her equine partner, Certify This Chex, who is affectionately known as “Lugnut” was just purchased by Bree Tamulewicz of Columbus, Ohio. Nowacek, who chose not to reveal the exact amount of the purchase, did confirm that it was six figures.
“I knew I would sell him, but we weren’t publicly making it known. He was for sale kind of under the radar. Bree’s trainer, Bruce Vickery, has watched me show him through the years, and he really liked him,” Carey said. “Bree and Bruce tried him out at the Congress, and they vetted him–but they had to think about it for a while, but Monday it was official and he is headed to their barn on Wednesday.”
Nowacek, who got choked up on the phone said that she went and took pictures with him Monday and rode him for the last time. “I cried with my mom and my cousin, but I knew he was going to a good home, and I knew he had to go help someone else’s dreams come true.”
Four years ago at the Congress, Carey immediately spotted a beautiful and striking gelding in a pleasure class with Steve Reams aboard. Nowacek knew instantly that she wanted that horse. That horse was Certify This Chex. “Lugnut” only knew how to do the western pleasure when she bought him. Over the past four years, Brad Jewett, her trainer, and Carey have taught him seven more events.
“We had to teach him everything, but he is the best minded horse I have ever ridden. He was never wild or crazy,” she fondly remarks. “He never pins his ears. He is one of those special horses in your life that you come across that will forever change your life,” Carey says, trying not to cry on the phone. “We knew each other so well and immediately clicked. One of my favorite memories was when I brought him back the next year in the 15-18 Equitation at the Congress and we were Reserve. He was so green and hardly knew anything at that point, but he tried his hardest. I have never loved a horse or bonded with a horse as much as him.”
Jewett says that it was a special match for the start. “It is hard to find Carey a horse in the first place because she is so tall which limits the horses she can even consider buying. So Lugnut was perfect for her. Carey loves the challenge of buying horses not finished and teaching them other events. He has always given 100 percent. There is not once I could say that he regressed in his training,” Jewett said. “He is one of the few legitimate eight event all around horses in the industry, and he deserves to remain in a top program and continue to excel and win.”
The new owner, Bree Tamulewicz, says she is really excited about her new partner. “I have watched him show with Carey for a long time, and he’s always impressed me. I’m really excited to have a horse that knows how to do the all around events well, and isn’t my little sisters,” she laughs and says. “I know I have crazy huge shoes to fill, seeing as how Carey just won the world, but I’m hoping that it won’t be too difficult since Lugnut is a rockstar.”
As for Carey’s future plans, she is currently attending Texas A&M and is one of the top collegiate riders in NCAA competition. She is still undecided regarding her career plans, but she does know she plans to show amateur and try to find another young horse to teach the all around events. “I know that I will be in the horse business for the rest of my life.”
