Stonewalled by Momentum

Herewith my experience with Momentum. Momentum isn’t only an insurance company but also handles Wills Trusts and Estates. No matter how well a will is drawn up there will always be a certain amount of nuance, or some unforeseen or unspecified matter that crops up. Especially considering the richness and acquisitions accumulated in a person’s lifetime. This not only encompasses assets, but family, skills, interests and pets. Wrapping up an estate with all the aspects involved, requires a competent, efficient and most of all empathetic approach to the matter. Mr Jeffrey Gordon Wiseman and his assistant unfortunately responded by stonewalling when I approached Momentum regarding a sensitive matter involving the estate of the late Mr C (one of their clients). Mr C was a racehorse enthusiast and owned many racehorses in his lifetime. He was well known amongst racing circles. Now, the Thoroughbred Racehorse Industry is standardized worldwide, and horses are specifically bred for racing and breeding. For example, A DNA sample of every foal is collected and used to create a unique genetic profile that verifies the horse’s parentage before registration. Furthermore, a microchip is implanted within the neck of every registered Thoroughbred and contains a permanent 15-digit identification number which can be read by passing a scanner over the horse’s body. This links the microchip to that specific horse’s identity. When yearlings or 2 YO’s are sold on (via Thoroughbred sales) the sales company documents everything. A transfer of ownership is immediately signed upon purchase, and the new owner’s details captured within the National Horseracing Aurhority’s (NHA) database. Every time a Thoroughbred racehorse is sold on such a form needs to be signed to update the database of the NHA. Pretty standard stuff. Mr C owned a racehorse which he bought from a Thoroughbred Sales Company and registered with the NHA for racing purposes. She ran in 8 races and had one win. Thereafter Mr C handed her to a second-hand horse dealer. It wasn’t thought that she would race or breed again and therefore no transfer of ownership was signed. Fast forward a few years and the horse is now 12 years old and Mr C deceased. The horse was put back into a breeding programme and has a yearling. The NHA’s database is not updated. They requested I approach the Estate of Mr C to get the transfer of ownership form signed. Chantelle Joubert is the person who was supposed to, but did not, deal with the matter. She seems to be a very busy lady. She was in a meeting for the 2-phone call attempts I made. A helpful lady at reception heard my story and gave me her email address. Chantelle was then contacted via email explaining the situation. This was ignored. We (the breeders involved) tried emailing both Chantelle and Mr Wiseman this time. Only once was the correspondence acknowledged asking for proof that Mr C was indeed the owner of the horse, which NHA verified. Chantelle was copied in all the correspondence between us (the breeders and the NHA). No further response was elicited, and I phoned again after waiting approximately 2 weeks (3rd attempt). This time I spoke to Chantelle, and she couldn’t get of the phone fast enough with an excuse to consult Mr Wiseman (again?). Once more no response... I then emailed both again politely and as succinctly explaining the situation and our predicament. They continue to stonewall. Unfortunately, this negatively affects the breeders involved and the horse. She was bred to race or breed and without the necessary change of ownership, all has been for vain. Simply because Momentum could not take a few minutes to understand the situation and assist. I believe people stonewall for several reasons. A complete lack of respect for the person they are stonewalling or just a basic lack of competence. If this indifference, basic lack in helpfulness and unwillingness to understand an undealt with issue, is part of Momentum’s work ethic (especially when not on display) I can say with surety that I would not want to do business with them. This is a simple matter, and they did not bother to try and understand it and be helpful even when it involves the basic welfare of the animals involved.

Kind regards