Registration and ownership problems

Ok, long story short, we bought an ApHC registered Appaloosa from a friend of a friend (probably not the brightest idea). Before we agreed to purchase her, we asked all of the necessary questions, as well as if we could transfer her registration to our name, which we were told yes. Laurie (the previous owner) bought her 1 year prior from John (original owner) but never had her registered because she is spayed and Laurie doesn't show. We bought her back in December and got a packet of papers, but none of them have her pedigree or ApHC registration. We have talked to ApHC and we cannot do anything until we get the papers. We told Laurie that we didn't have the necessary papers and she spoke with John who was going to look for the papers and then send them with any other necessary information to her. It has been more than a month and we still do not have any papers. My mom is nervous that without her being registered in our name, that John can come and take her back because she is registered to him. What should we do?

Do you have a bill of sale? Does Laurie have a bill of sale? Those documents can be helpful when establishing ownership.
Posted via Mobile Device

Do you have a bill of sale or reciept from the purchase?

Do you have a bill of sale from your friend? That's your proof of ownership, not registration papers.

The owner of register only applies to the actual registration agency and is not a legal document to claim ownership. You can't show the animal in breed shows without her being registered in your name, but as far as legal ownership your bill of sale is the document by which ownership is determined.

We have a bill of sale through email, but not one that is signed or anything. We wanted the papers so we could show her.

You don't need her papers to show in open shows, but if you want to show her in breed ones then yes, you're going to need to have the registration in your name.

Are you able to meet up with the original owner? Just call and ask again if you could stop by and get her papers, say you want to show her, but can't. If he is a member then he should have her info on the ApHC website site, considering she was never transfered. If he lost her papers, he should be able to replace them, according the ApHC he would still be showing as the owner.

Do you know her registered name?

Registration papers do not prove ownership. Only a bill of sale does.
Posted via Mobile Device

Yes, we have her registered name and her registration number, but we can't do anything until we get the pedigree and registration from her original owners, per the ApHC.