Registering Your APSL Lusitano with USLA

Transfer of Ownership and Certificate of Registration

A common question from Lusitano owners:

“What do I need to do to get my horse properly documented to participate in USLA programs such as USDF All-Breeds?”

USLA manages the documentation, ownership transfer, and certification required for participation in USLA programs—and, where applicable, programs such as those offered by USDF.

The process may involve verifying and aligning multiple records.

Before You Begin: Confirm Eligibility

This process applies to horses that are:

Purebred Lusitanos
Registered in the APSL (Portuguese Lusitano Studbook)

If your horse:

Is a crossbred, or
Does not have full APSL studbook registration

Then this process does not apply.

If you are unsure, USLA can help confirm your horse’s status.

What You Need to Do

1. Submit a Transfer of Ownership Through USLA

Complete a Transfer of Ownership through the USLA website

USLA manages the ownership update directly
This ensures your ownership is properly recorded and recognized

Note:
In some cases, there may have been multiple prior ownership changes that were never recorded.
These must be identified and resolved as part of the process, which can add time.

2. Request the USLA Certificate of Registration (At the Same Time)

During the transfer process, you will see an option to:

Request a USLA Certificate of Registration

This is a checkbox on the same form
It is not a separate process
Requesting it at this stage reduces the cost of the certificate

This certificate confirms that:

The horse is properly documented
Ownership is correctly recorded
The horse is eligible for USLA programs

Membership Requirement

The owner or rider must be a current USLA member to participate in USLA programs

Important:
The cost of USLA membership + transfer of ownership is the same as the transfer alone.

In practical terms, your membership pays for itself.

The Process

Complete a Transfer of Ownership on the USLA website
Check the box to request your USLA Certificate of Registration
Submit the required horse information
USLA reviews, verifies, and aligns records as needed

Optional: Participating in USDF All-Breeds

If you plan to participate in USDF All-Breeds:

Include your USLA Certificate of Registration with your USDF declaration materials

A Common Situation

“My horse doesn’t appear in the APSL Public Studbook”

In some cases, a horse may not immediately appear in the APSL Public Studbook even though it is properly registered.

This is a verification issue, and USLA will assist in resolving it as part of the process.

Key Takeaway

You do not need:

A new registration

You do need:

A Transfer of Ownership through USLA
To request your USLA Certificate of Registration
An active USLA membership (owner or rider)

Need Help?

Contact USLA at [email protected] and include:

Horse name
Horse NIN (APSL Registration Number>
Your contact information

USLA will guide you through the process and help resolve any gaps in documentation.