New Horse...Now What?

["Snodgrass, Bonnie" <snodgrab@ncr.disa.mil>]

In Dec I took a lovely purebred mare on trial and she is now officially
mine. What a  big sweet heart! She is registered and sweepstakes nominated.
I have her papers and a sweepstakes transfer form.

Questions:

1. Do I have to transfer her to my name first then send a copy of the "new"
registration papers  in with the sweepstakes form? 
2. Do I need to join a local/regional club in order to become a IAHA member?

3. Do I need to do this before sending in the sweepstakes form?
4. Does anyone have suggestions for a Maryland or Virginia club? (I do
occasionally dabble in dressage and would possibly go to a couple of Arabian
shows for the dressage classes). 

Any advice for the purebred impaired would be appreciated.

Bonnie Snodgrass
Southern Maryland