Oct. 25, 2010
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Texas A&M sophomore Carey Nowacek (no-WAH-check) took home the western horsemanship title last week at the 2010 All-American Quarter Horse Congress show at the Ohio Expo Center.
Nowacek (San Antonio), on her horse Certify This Chex, bested a field of 123 riders from around the country and world to bring home the victory. After also placing second in the showmanship division and eighth in hunt seat equitation, she was awarded all-around youth champion honors for the 15-18 age group.
The victory concludes a very strong showing for Nowacek this year in national competitions, as she took home the same western horsemanship title several months ago at the American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championships in Oklahoma City.
"This is a great accomplishment for Carey," Aggie horsemanship coach Beth Bass said. "It's extremely rare to win both an AQHYA World Championship and a Congress Championship in the same year. Her final year in the youth division has been phenomenal, and I look forward to what she'll continue to contribute to our team here at A&M."
Nowacek was instrumental in helping the A&M western team to a second consecutive national championship last spring. She posted an 18-2-1 record in horsemanship, took home four MVP honors and advanced all the way to the finals of the individual national championship in the discipline.
The All-American Quarter Horse Congress is the world's largest single-breed horse show, receiving over 17,000 entries and housing more than 8,500 registered AQHs during its three-week schedule. The Congress attracts more than 650,000 people to the Columbus area over its run.
Nowacek rejoins her A&M teammates this weekend as the second-ranked Aggies (2-0) return to action on Saturday morning when they play host to No. 3 Oklahoma State (2-0). Show time at the Brazos County Expo Complex is set for 10 a.m. and admission is free.