anyone with experience tacking down former owners for AQHA certificate of registration

[NRB]

HI all, am looking to buy QH gelding. His current owner has his papers (Certificate of Registration). But the sellers name isn’t on the papers. Actually the women that she bought him from isn’t on the papers either. To make things clear. My friend bought this pony and then sold him to his current owner. I am buying him from the current owner. But I’d like to get him registered in my name. NO ONE thought to register this guy in their name…well the original seller who sold to my friend did…

Has anyone else done this? Only person I do not know is the one who sold to my friend. I could get everyone else signatures for the different transfer papers. And I’ve spoke to AQHA and they said they would charge me only one transfer fee. But I’m stumped on the one seller who sold to my friend.

If I send the papers and the transfer documents into the AQHA they will keep the papers until that one person is tracked down and they have their signature. I’m not really happy about that idea as it could lead to me with no papers.

I realize that the papers not being in my name are probably already worthless. But I’m loath to let them go knowing that I"ll never get them back.

Understand that I don’t plan on showing in breed shows. BUT I like doing things by the book. And I’d like him registered in my name.

So if anyones been through this before and has good or bad stories to tell, I’m listening.

[NRB]

TRacking down. Ugh sorry for the typo

[paintedpony]

Facebook is a powerful tool.

[hoopoe]

I had zero success with getting former owners to sign.

I even paid up front , pre-paid return envelopes everything.

I finally convinced the AQHA that they needed to get it finalized, I had done my part in good faith. You have to call and duke it out.

[DoodlesMom]

I bought a yearling from a girl, not knowing how AQHA registration works. She insisted that AQHA had his papers, because that’s what happens when you sell a horse. I looked him up, and the owner was listed as someone completely different.

Using FB, I was able to track down the owner and convince her to sign over the Transfer of Ownership. And oh hey, SHE had his papers! Turns out the girl I bought him from had never actually paid the former owner. Former owner realized it was something to take up with this other girl (considering I had paid in cash, so she clearly had the money now). I got his papers, and that was that.

If you want any help, PM me. I wasn’t super concerned about have his papers either, but they’re certainly nice to have!

[Montanas_Girl]

@DoodlesMom

Using FB, I was able to track down the owner and convince her to sign over the Transfer of Ownership. And oh hey, SHE had his papers! Turns out the girl I bought him from had never actually paid the former owner.

This happens a lot, sadly.

OP, I feel for you! I agree with the suggestion to start with Facebook. Is there a Virginia Quarter Horse Association? If so, assuming the horse was purchased locally, you might be able to get in touch with the owner through other local QH people.

[paintedpony]

A lot of horses remain within a couple of hundred miles of their birthplace. Start looking for local/state/provincial equine FB pages. Craft a post that makes it very clear that you are seeking to register, not stir up trouble. Provide what information you have, especially the name of former owners, the mare and your horse. Ask people to private message you, not comment on post. I predict you will have responses in a short time.