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Articles.
THE DUTCH 800 MILERS
Part 1
P. BRUINEBERG
STEENWIJK
NL4219365.01 - an 800 mile pigeon
A few weeks ago I wrote about some remarkable Dutch pigeons from the International Barcelona in 2004 flying over 1300 kms or over 800 miles. Because I too am one of the longer flying lofts from Dax, where the UK have excelled over the past two years, I immediately took an interest. I hastily add of course that I have yet to even get a pigeon in the result from Barcelona, from Dax - just but from Barcelona, the pinnacle, no, nor has anyone else in my area. This is so difficult I don't think anyone has ever tried, or even contemplated it. So the Dutch experience rather got to me for it proved that distance is not necessarily a complete bar to eventual achievement. In anyone's book these are unusual pigeons. Flying over 800 miles can never be easy no matter what the conditions.
I propose to start off with the details of a hen that was in 239th place from 24,913 pigeons. This hen belongs to P. Bruineberg of Steenwijk in the North of the Netherlands way past Amsterdam. If you are looking for Steenwijk on the map it is a small town on the A28 motorway past Zwolle and Meppel.
Just to clock pigeons in this area is difficult never mind getting a pigeon high in the result. By the time the pigeons even get to this distance the flocks have long since disappeared and what pigeons are left are flying on their own. The pedigree of this particular pigeon is interesting. All the ancestry is derived from extreme Long Distance Blood.
Those familiar with this kind of racing will recognise some of them - Brugeman Bros. of Assendelft who fly 1253 km (783 miles), Nico Volkens another well known long distance man, his distance from Barcelona is 1277 km (798 miles). Others in the pedigree are similar Vertelman (1281 km) - Cas de Graff (1139 km) but for the purposes of this series I have restricted myself to those pigeons that flew over the magic distance of over 1300 km.
The distance of 1300 km from Barcelona has a kind of magic ring to it and because these stalwart fanciers try every year to fly it I have decided that this year because they did so well they deserve some recognition world-wide. Some years of course they fail for at this distance we are at the cutting edge of what is possible but achievement is the motivating force - to get in the top one per cent of the International result is something extra, extra special.
This hen had five preparation races from 140km - 180km - 240km - 280km - and another also at 280km. She was sent sitting on the nest on 12 day old eggs and for three weeks prior to this she had three tosses from 40 km by herself. Also at this time the loft was completely open (open hole) so obviously the owner felt the need for as much a happy environment as possible. Sitting eggs is important for some fanciers have tried to fly long races with widowhood hens but have failed because widowhood hens tend to pair up in the Basket and then they are lost or come back very late. For the last three days this hen had full widowhood mixture but was built up on half diet and half full mixture.
There is of course no substitute for good breeding of the right type of pigeon. At this distance the pedigree rules. This hen confirms that principle. If they are to fly 800 miles they have to have at least good 750 milers in the pedigree and the loft has to concentrate all its efforts in this direction. This is achievement pigeon flying rather than the triumph speed stuff. This is why the International Barcelona is such a great race. It can and does find great pigeons at either end of its range.
The value of the long flying pigeons is that they are in demand from other fanciers flying much shorter distances. Others buy them in order to put strength into their existing strains for these shorter flying lofts also fail occasionally sucked in by the inducement of speed that depletes strength and reliability. This shows when a long flying loft actually beats them on speed. In cases like this we all have to sit up and take notice for after all these pigeons flew over their lofts in the first place.
It is this kind of pigeon that gives strength and a measure of certainty. This hen, liberated at 09.30 on the 2nd of July was timed at 12.34 on the 3rd of July flying 1305.146 km. You have a right to be proud when this kind of thing happens.
Part 1
P. BRUINEBERG
STEENWIJK
NL4219365.01 - an 800 mile pigeon
A few weeks ago I wrote about some remarkable Dutch pigeons from the International Barcelona in 2004 flying over 1300 kms or over 800 miles. Because I too am one of the longer flying lofts from Dax, where the UK have excelled over the past two years, I immediately took an interest. I hastily add of course that I have yet to even get a pigeon in the result from Barcelona, from Dax - just but from Barcelona, the pinnacle, no, nor has anyone else in my area. This is so difficult I don't think anyone has ever tried, or even contemplated it. So the Dutch experience rather got to me for it proved that distance is not necessarily a complete bar to eventual achievement. In anyone's book these are unusual pigeons. Flying over 800 miles can never be easy no matter what the conditions.
I propose to start off with the details of a hen that was in 239th place from 24,913 pigeons. This hen belongs to P. Bruineberg of Steenwijk in the North of the Netherlands way past Amsterdam. If you are looking for Steenwijk on the map it is a small town on the A28 motorway past Zwolle and Meppel.
Just to clock pigeons in this area is difficult never mind getting a pigeon high in the result. By the time the pigeons even get to this distance the flocks have long since disappeared and what pigeons are left are flying on their own. The pedigree of this particular pigeon is interesting. All the ancestry is derived from extreme Long Distance Blood.
Those familiar with this kind of racing will recognise some of them - Brugeman Bros. of Assendelft who fly 1253 km (783 miles), Nico Volkens another well known long distance man, his distance from Barcelona is 1277 km (798 miles). Others in the pedigree are similar Vertelman (1281 km) - Cas de Graff (1139 km) but for the purposes of this series I have restricted myself to those pigeons that flew over the magic distance of over 1300 km.
The distance of 1300 km from Barcelona has a kind of magic ring to it and because these stalwart fanciers try every year to fly it I have decided that this year because they did so well they deserve some recognition world-wide. Some years of course they fail for at this distance we are at the cutting edge of what is possible but achievement is the motivating force - to get in the top one per cent of the International result is something extra, extra special.
This hen had five preparation races from 140km - 180km - 240km - 280km - and another also at 280km. She was sent sitting on the nest on 12 day old eggs and for three weeks prior to this she had three tosses from 40 km by herself. Also at this time the loft was completely open (open hole) so obviously the owner felt the need for as much a happy environment as possible. Sitting eggs is important for some fanciers have tried to fly long races with widowhood hens but have failed because widowhood hens tend to pair up in the Basket and then they are lost or come back very late. For the last three days this hen had full widowhood mixture but was built up on half diet and half full mixture.
There is of course no substitute for good breeding of the right type of pigeon. At this distance the pedigree rules. This hen confirms that principle. If they are to fly 800 miles they have to have at least good 750 milers in the pedigree and the loft has to concentrate all its efforts in this direction. This is achievement pigeon flying rather than the triumph speed stuff. This is why the International Barcelona is such a great race. It can and does find great pigeons at either end of its range.
The value of the long flying pigeons is that they are in demand from other fanciers flying much shorter distances. Others buy them in order to put strength into their existing strains for these shorter flying lofts also fail occasionally sucked in by the inducement of speed that depletes strength and reliability. This shows when a long flying loft actually beats them on speed. In cases like this we all have to sit up and take notice for after all these pigeons flew over their lofts in the first place.
It is this kind of pigeon that gives strength and a measure of certainty. This hen, liberated at 09.30 on the 2nd of July was timed at 12.34 on the 3rd of July flying 1305.146 km. You have a right to be proud when this kind of thing happens.
PART 2
HERMAN BRINKMAN
TUK
Of all the 1300 km Barcelona men the most consistent is probably Herman Brinkman. If someone said there is a pigeon from Barcelona over 1300 km the name Brinkman immediately springs to mind.
He has done it before. Herman is a quiet and unassuming man. Tuk a small place just North of Steenwijk, in fact Steenwijk and Tuk run into one another. Steenwijk was of course the place of my last report. Herman is a teacher, his subject is languages, and teaching German is his speciality but all languages obviously come naturally to him for his English is also excellent. He is fully committed to pigeon racing at extreme distances. It is his life’s work.
He is the President of the Club that organises long distance events in his area. Over the years his Barcelona reputation has grown - my records go back only to 1997 but he was active and successful before then, but from my data base I see he was 265th in 1999 racing against 28,000 pigeons and a remarkable 14th International in 2001 racing against 25,000 pigeons sending never more than six pigeons and often as few as two, so he is not a newcomer to the rare world of pigeons racing at distances above 1300 km. His actual distance is 1306 km (816 miles). The basis of his family is Van der Wegen that he obtained from that well known fancier Hans Eijerkamp. He told me when the four original pigeons arrived as squeakers he did not like them at all. He telephoned Hans Eijerkamp and told him this but was told to be patient as they were the best long distance blood in the Eijerkamp lofts. Hans Eijerkamp was proved right and the initial reaction of Herman Brinkman proved wrong, for these four pigeons set the foundation of the whole of the Brinkman lofts of long distance pigeons. Hans Eijerkamp, the millionaire furniture maker and Herman Brinkman the quiet unassuming school teacher, are still friends to this day through their mutual love of long distance pigeons. Friendship is another offshoot of this type of racing.
This year Herman sent two pigeons to Barcelona - the birds were liberated at 09.30 on Friday and Herman timed his first pigeon of the two at 12.03 on the Saturday. Even though it was his second selected pigeon it was well pooled for he won 1149 Euros in the International. His second bird arrived at 13.41 to take 1454th place. Two out of two at the Brinkman loft flying over 800 miles. This pigeon won 368 Euros and Herman won twice for timing in two pigeons in both categories for two pigeons - the un-selected two and the selected two. This is extraordinary for a loft at this distance.
If you visit the Brinkman lofts you will find a relaxed atmosphere designed for contentment in the pigeons. The floor covering is pea plants the remains of the pea crop. These are spread throughout the lofts as floor covering but underlying this relaxed atmosphere is another essential ingredient of marathon pigeons, a built in natural resistance to illness.
The Brinkman lofts are not cleaned out every five minutes. The pigeons have to live naturally just as they would in the wild. They live depending on their natural vitality, which is a part of their ability to not only fight off sickness but to achieve a kind of fitness in depth as opposed to surface fitness. Fitness of this kind it is the whole body and mind of the pigeon that reaches such a peak that it is able to fly Barcelona. This cannot be achieved overnight. It is more a lifestyle than an immediate strategy. It is a part of the philosophy of the place. Still you need good pigeons - that is always a must - survival of the fittest weeds more out than allows to remain. The hand and the eye tells you little about such things - a study of the man tells much more. You know he believes in what he is doing by the way he smiles and his eyes twinkle while he is doing it. You on the other hand are obliged to strain your ears as you listen to this quiet man, who after all has already done it many times before.
Go and see for yourself and, providing you are not in too much of a hurry to get to the 800 mile level, you might learn a few things. It’s certainly different than sprinting and the explosive power game of fast pigeons under 200 miles.
Herman told me both his 2004 Barcelona pigeons were not at all tired when they dropped. They appeared to have something left to carry on if needs be. Their flights were not unduly bent back - their eyes still bright - and they were pleased to get home for they spun with joy before they entered the loft. Some pigeons these, and some fancier who arranged it.
HERMAN BRINKMAN
TUK
Of all the 1300 km Barcelona men the most consistent is probably Herman Brinkman. If someone said there is a pigeon from Barcelona over 1300 km the name Brinkman immediately springs to mind.
He has done it before. Herman is a quiet and unassuming man. Tuk a small place just North of Steenwijk, in fact Steenwijk and Tuk run into one another. Steenwijk was of course the place of my last report. Herman is a teacher, his subject is languages, and teaching German is his speciality but all languages obviously come naturally to him for his English is also excellent. He is fully committed to pigeon racing at extreme distances. It is his life’s work.
He is the President of the Club that organises long distance events in his area. Over the years his Barcelona reputation has grown - my records go back only to 1997 but he was active and successful before then, but from my data base I see he was 265th in 1999 racing against 28,000 pigeons and a remarkable 14th International in 2001 racing against 25,000 pigeons sending never more than six pigeons and often as few as two, so he is not a newcomer to the rare world of pigeons racing at distances above 1300 km. His actual distance is 1306 km (816 miles). The basis of his family is Van der Wegen that he obtained from that well known fancier Hans Eijerkamp. He told me when the four original pigeons arrived as squeakers he did not like them at all. He telephoned Hans Eijerkamp and told him this but was told to be patient as they were the best long distance blood in the Eijerkamp lofts. Hans Eijerkamp was proved right and the initial reaction of Herman Brinkman proved wrong, for these four pigeons set the foundation of the whole of the Brinkman lofts of long distance pigeons. Hans Eijerkamp, the millionaire furniture maker and Herman Brinkman the quiet unassuming school teacher, are still friends to this day through their mutual love of long distance pigeons. Friendship is another offshoot of this type of racing.
This year Herman sent two pigeons to Barcelona - the birds were liberated at 09.30 on Friday and Herman timed his first pigeon of the two at 12.03 on the Saturday. Even though it was his second selected pigeon it was well pooled for he won 1149 Euros in the International. His second bird arrived at 13.41 to take 1454th place. Two out of two at the Brinkman loft flying over 800 miles. This pigeon won 368 Euros and Herman won twice for timing in two pigeons in both categories for two pigeons - the un-selected two and the selected two. This is extraordinary for a loft at this distance.
If you visit the Brinkman lofts you will find a relaxed atmosphere designed for contentment in the pigeons. The floor covering is pea plants the remains of the pea crop. These are spread throughout the lofts as floor covering but underlying this relaxed atmosphere is another essential ingredient of marathon pigeons, a built in natural resistance to illness.
The Brinkman lofts are not cleaned out every five minutes. The pigeons have to live naturally just as they would in the wild. They live depending on their natural vitality, which is a part of their ability to not only fight off sickness but to achieve a kind of fitness in depth as opposed to surface fitness. Fitness of this kind it is the whole body and mind of the pigeon that reaches such a peak that it is able to fly Barcelona. This cannot be achieved overnight. It is more a lifestyle than an immediate strategy. It is a part of the philosophy of the place. Still you need good pigeons - that is always a must - survival of the fittest weeds more out than allows to remain. The hand and the eye tells you little about such things - a study of the man tells much more. You know he believes in what he is doing by the way he smiles and his eyes twinkle while he is doing it. You on the other hand are obliged to strain your ears as you listen to this quiet man, who after all has already done it many times before.
Go and see for yourself and, providing you are not in too much of a hurry to get to the 800 mile level, you might learn a few things. It’s certainly different than sprinting and the explosive power game of fast pigeons under 200 miles.
Herman told me both his 2004 Barcelona pigeons were not at all tired when they dropped. They appeared to have something left to carry on if needs be. Their flights were not unduly bent back - their eyes still bright - and they were pleased to get home for they spun with joy before they entered the loft. Some pigeons these, and some fancier who arranged it.
PART 3
JELLE OUTHUIJSE
HARLINGEN
An outstanding pigeon in this year’s International Barcelona belongs to a young fancier of 39 years - he is Jelle Outhuijse from Harlingen which is a town right on the sea facing the chain of Frisian Islands that stand guard over the mainland of the Netherlands. They appear to be there to protect this low-lying country from the anger of North Sea. Indeed you can get the ferry from Harlingen to the largest of the Frisian islands, the island of Terschelling.
Old Harlingen has been a naval base since the 17th century. The old town has many pensions and boarding houses but accommodation goes fast in the summer because of the 90 minute ferry trip to Terschelling, its tourist trade and nature reserves. Nevertheless Harlingen is historic and attractive. It’s a place in its own right simply because of its connection with the historic Lutine Bell - the Bell that stands in the London insurance market of Lloyds. It sounds when Lloyds underwriters lose a ship. The Lutine was lost in these waters - the Bell being the only item recovered. Lloyds’ main dealing room is its last resting place and a fitting reminder to the danger of the sea. This is a difficult place to fly pigeons but it is the sort of place where sea bravery, because of the climate and location, is common. The fanciers of Harlingen want bravery in their pigeons. Jelle Outhuijse is a relatively young man for this type of racing, generally you have to have a few years experience to achieve success at this distance and this type of racing but Jelle has done it at his first attempt. Morning liberation's flying against other countries are different. Up to now he has flown midday liberation's in National Races but morning liberation's against other countries is new to him.
Pigeon 1147976.00 is a hen. She was 219th in the International Barcelona flying 1335 km or 834 miles and 68th in the Hens race from 6903 pigeons. . . '976' was timed at 13.01pm on the second day. On the sire’s side it is out of a pigeon that was 2nd Nat. from Ruffec while on the dam's side it was off a double eleven flighted pigeon of the Martha van Geel ' Dolle' strain. This pigeon is also full of marathon pigeons - Van der Wegen - Braakhuis - Van Wanroy and some Russian or Ukrainian pigeon that is unfortunately without detail but which you can bet is one of those long flying 'steppe' pigeons that occasionally get imported for the huge distances they fly in the Ukraine and Russia.
This pigeon is a mixture of blood - all of long distance. In 2004 she flew to Ruffec (880km) on widowhood then was put on the nest sitting about 10 days at Barcelona. In the 2004 season she had not reared a single youngster to its full age. In 2003 she was 25th from St Vincent (1170 km). At the start of the 2004 season in April she was given a cure for Paratyphus and treatment for Canker. For the last three days prior to basketing for Barcelona she was fed Pindar Nuts and Snoepzaad (I don't know what that is) but there is Grit and Piksteen in front of the pigeons at all times.
The loft has a total of 36 pairs of racers and 17 pairs of breeders. The previous results of this loft in National racing is as follows:- 1st Nat St Vincent 1996 Sector 4 1171 km; 2nd Nat Ruffec 1996 Sector 4 880 km; 10th Nat Ruffec - 2nd Nat Brive 927 km; 6th Nat Bergerac 883 km; 8th Nat Ruffec; 11th Nat Bergerac.
Once again it is the pigeon and it’s ability that counts in these situations - unless the breed is there in the loft nothing happens. With the breed you have a chance - with the breed, the right environment. the correct build up and strength in the whole team in terms of talent you are certainly in there with a shout. Record breaking pigeons need everything and everything in full abundance, mental, physical, pedigree, and a loft manager that knows what to leave alone and what to do. It is a fine art in doing nothing and leaving it to the pigeon. After all they generally know best.
JELLE OUTHUIJSE
HARLINGEN
An outstanding pigeon in this year’s International Barcelona belongs to a young fancier of 39 years - he is Jelle Outhuijse from Harlingen which is a town right on the sea facing the chain of Frisian Islands that stand guard over the mainland of the Netherlands. They appear to be there to protect this low-lying country from the anger of North Sea. Indeed you can get the ferry from Harlingen to the largest of the Frisian islands, the island of Terschelling.
Old Harlingen has been a naval base since the 17th century. The old town has many pensions and boarding houses but accommodation goes fast in the summer because of the 90 minute ferry trip to Terschelling, its tourist trade and nature reserves. Nevertheless Harlingen is historic and attractive. It’s a place in its own right simply because of its connection with the historic Lutine Bell - the Bell that stands in the London insurance market of Lloyds. It sounds when Lloyds underwriters lose a ship. The Lutine was lost in these waters - the Bell being the only item recovered. Lloyds’ main dealing room is its last resting place and a fitting reminder to the danger of the sea. This is a difficult place to fly pigeons but it is the sort of place where sea bravery, because of the climate and location, is common. The fanciers of Harlingen want bravery in their pigeons. Jelle Outhuijse is a relatively young man for this type of racing, generally you have to have a few years experience to achieve success at this distance and this type of racing but Jelle has done it at his first attempt. Morning liberation's flying against other countries are different. Up to now he has flown midday liberation's in National Races but morning liberation's against other countries is new to him.
Pigeon 1147976.00 is a hen. She was 219th in the International Barcelona flying 1335 km or 834 miles and 68th in the Hens race from 6903 pigeons. . . '976' was timed at 13.01pm on the second day. On the sire’s side it is out of a pigeon that was 2nd Nat. from Ruffec while on the dam's side it was off a double eleven flighted pigeon of the Martha van Geel ' Dolle' strain. This pigeon is also full of marathon pigeons - Van der Wegen - Braakhuis - Van Wanroy and some Russian or Ukrainian pigeon that is unfortunately without detail but which you can bet is one of those long flying 'steppe' pigeons that occasionally get imported for the huge distances they fly in the Ukraine and Russia.
This pigeon is a mixture of blood - all of long distance. In 2004 she flew to Ruffec (880km) on widowhood then was put on the nest sitting about 10 days at Barcelona. In the 2004 season she had not reared a single youngster to its full age. In 2003 she was 25th from St Vincent (1170 km). At the start of the 2004 season in April she was given a cure for Paratyphus and treatment for Canker. For the last three days prior to basketing for Barcelona she was fed Pindar Nuts and Snoepzaad (I don't know what that is) but there is Grit and Piksteen in front of the pigeons at all times.
The loft has a total of 36 pairs of racers and 17 pairs of breeders. The previous results of this loft in National racing is as follows:- 1st Nat St Vincent 1996 Sector 4 1171 km; 2nd Nat Ruffec 1996 Sector 4 880 km; 10th Nat Ruffec - 2nd Nat Brive 927 km; 6th Nat Bergerac 883 km; 8th Nat Ruffec; 11th Nat Bergerac.
Once again it is the pigeon and it’s ability that counts in these situations - unless the breed is there in the loft nothing happens. With the breed you have a chance - with the breed, the right environment. the correct build up and strength in the whole team in terms of talent you are certainly in there with a shout. Record breaking pigeons need everything and everything in full abundance, mental, physical, pedigree, and a loft manager that knows what to leave alone and what to do. It is a fine art in doing nothing and leaving it to the pigeon. After all they generally know best.
PART 4
WOUTER JORNA
HIPPOLYTUSHOEF
An unbelievable performance at over 800 miles
We finally come to the last of these 800 milers but the first clocked from the International Barcelona of 2004. I have purposely left the loft highest in the result to the last as a kind of dramatic attempt end to this series on pigeons timed above 1300 km in the Netherlands. . . W. Jordan of Hippolytushoef flies 1308 km (817 miles) from Barcelona. This is a prodigious distance. His location is almost as far as it is possible to go unless you want to fall into the water of the Wadenzee. It is on the E22 North of Amsterdam at the top of that spit of land that forms the West bank of the Ijsselmeer and the East bank of the Wadenzee. His first bird was an incredible 42nd Open in this year’s race from 25,000 pigeons. In territory like this the pigeons, travelling from the south, are exposed on both sides for on either side there are huge expanses of water, the Ijsselmeer to the East and the Waddenzee to the West and North. There is little or no protection from the wind in places like this. We all know The Netherlands is as flat as a pancake. The pigeons have to fight for their right to fly here.
Outer Jordan sent 14 pigeons to the race this year. From the fourteen sent he recorded nine in the full International result (that is the top 25 percent). His positions were as follows:- 42nd - 128th - 526th - 754th - 807th - 1538th - 3770th - 4759th - and 5247th. The time they arrived was as follows: - 11.32 - 12.13 - 12.55 - 13.07 - 13.10 - 13.38 - 14.59 - 15.41 and 16.05. You can see by the these times this result compares with fanciers flying from Pau in the NFC, but of course this race has much higher birdage so positions attained fall quickly for these 800 miles pigeons are flying against other countries (25000 of them) flying much less. His first pigeon was also 17th International hens from 6903 pigeons. Again this figure for hens is bigger than any comparable race of all sexes in the UK. I don't think the NFC has ever entered this amount from the whole of the UK for both sexes.
By any stretch of the imagination this performance by Outer Jordan is fantastic flying but at this distance it is a phenomenal piece of endurance, navigation and reliability. I want you all to be fair about this - to step outside our own culture and see this performance for what it is by standards that apply were Outer to fly in the UK and do something remotely similar or even half as good. As most of you know in International racing you have to forecast the order of arrival on the entrance form before you send to races. The order of how the Jordan pigeons were expected to arrive and the actual order of how they arrived is illuminating. I wish we had the same procedure over here, it would tell us such a lot. The order was as follows. 1st arrived (11th forecast) - 2nd (1st) - 3rd (8th) - 4th (7th) - 5th (2nd) - 6th (10th) - 7th (5th) - 8th (8th) and 9th (3rd) . The real significance of all this is difficult to understand but quite clearly at this kind of distance and with this kind of racing previous form does not necessarily apply. Mr Jorna's first bird was his 11th selected, beating his first selected pigeon by half an hour. This must have been a surprise - albeit a pleasant one, for even to get a pigeon at this distance is a joy never mind two so quick and almost on top of each other, both being in the first 128 positions in the entire International.
The other way to interpret these forecast figures is to say that the whole team is of such a high quality and of such a a high standard of fitness that even the 11th selected pigeon was of an exceptional quality and could as it did out perform the rest of the team. The result bears this out for to clock your 11th selected pigeon after more than 800 miles means it must be a good pigeon in good condition in the first place and those fancied to arrive before it by its owner must also be better rated good in the mind of the owner at the time of basketing. I know of no other fancier who has put up anywhere near such a good performance at this distance and clocked nine pigeons from 14 sent.
I often hear fanciers decry such pigeons at distances like this as being too slow. They are often termed plodders. They also call foul when we quote positions like 5247th as being a position we just would not bother to clock. Fanciers like this just do not know half of what they are talking about. If a pigeon arrived at a UK loft at 1610 on the second day I can say it would not only be clocked but it would be called a star in any location North of Birmingham. Unfortunately most fanciers see speed as the only criteria. I disagree for without such pigeons at the cutting edge of their physical and mental capability pigeons would not ever be tested. We have to have such pigeons achieve such feats in order to replenish and renew the ideals of the sport. There is no hiding place at distances such as this. That is the real beauty of flying them. Individual Ego of the fancier does not count here. Banging the drum is an empty sound over 800 miles for everyone knows they can all fail the following year. This is where pigeon racing is at its most difficult. This is where the future of racing pigeons as a healthy and vibrant species is going to come from.
They may not be the fastest in pure speed but they are sound in mind and constitution and when the conditions are slightly in their favour they do very well. The Barcelona of 2004 proved this to be the case. Today so many pigeons are fast but unsound like highly bred race horses needing constant veterinary attention in order to keep them on the track. 800-mile pigeons do not need to be wrapped in cotton wool to survive. They are the breed this way. We all must look to their example if we wish to rediscover absolute health and vitality for future generations of racing pigeons. It is interesting to note that the 2nd marked pigeon a hen and the 5th pigeon clocked this year in 807th place was also timed in the International Barcelona in 2003. This hen a 1998 bird was 260th open against more than 20,000 pigeons that year and has now flown it again. Any pigeon that flies a distance of over 1300 km twice in a lifetime is not accident. Luck does not play a part in the career of such a pigeon - There are very few of them, if any, about. 260th International and 807th International flying over 1300 km are star performances in any ones language at any time.
Outer Jordan sent 9 Hens and 5 cocks - He timed 7 of his hens and 2 cocks. Perhaps there is a lesson here. We should send more hens to the distance, they seem to be more reliable, but who am I to say such things - I have yet to even get one at 800 miles never mind get on the International result. At least I am not on my own, but this Dutch experience tells us something - we could eventually do it if we try long enough and hard enough. It will be done eventually even in the UK when we get the sport sorted out and return to the trail of long distance endurance pigeons - We here in the UK are capable of anything if we try -- of that I am sure. Of that I am certain.
John Clements
WOUTER JORNA
HIPPOLYTUSHOEF
An unbelievable performance at over 800 miles
We finally come to the last of these 800 milers but the first clocked from the International Barcelona of 2004. I have purposely left the loft highest in the result to the last as a kind of dramatic attempt end to this series on pigeons timed above 1300 km in the Netherlands. . . W. Jordan of Hippolytushoef flies 1308 km (817 miles) from Barcelona. This is a prodigious distance. His location is almost as far as it is possible to go unless you want to fall into the water of the Wadenzee. It is on the E22 North of Amsterdam at the top of that spit of land that forms the West bank of the Ijsselmeer and the East bank of the Wadenzee. His first bird was an incredible 42nd Open in this year’s race from 25,000 pigeons. In territory like this the pigeons, travelling from the south, are exposed on both sides for on either side there are huge expanses of water, the Ijsselmeer to the East and the Waddenzee to the West and North. There is little or no protection from the wind in places like this. We all know The Netherlands is as flat as a pancake. The pigeons have to fight for their right to fly here.
Outer Jordan sent 14 pigeons to the race this year. From the fourteen sent he recorded nine in the full International result (that is the top 25 percent). His positions were as follows:- 42nd - 128th - 526th - 754th - 807th - 1538th - 3770th - 4759th - and 5247th. The time they arrived was as follows: - 11.32 - 12.13 - 12.55 - 13.07 - 13.10 - 13.38 - 14.59 - 15.41 and 16.05. You can see by the these times this result compares with fanciers flying from Pau in the NFC, but of course this race has much higher birdage so positions attained fall quickly for these 800 miles pigeons are flying against other countries (25000 of them) flying much less. His first pigeon was also 17th International hens from 6903 pigeons. Again this figure for hens is bigger than any comparable race of all sexes in the UK. I don't think the NFC has ever entered this amount from the whole of the UK for both sexes.
By any stretch of the imagination this performance by Outer Jordan is fantastic flying but at this distance it is a phenomenal piece of endurance, navigation and reliability. I want you all to be fair about this - to step outside our own culture and see this performance for what it is by standards that apply were Outer to fly in the UK and do something remotely similar or even half as good. As most of you know in International racing you have to forecast the order of arrival on the entrance form before you send to races. The order of how the Jordan pigeons were expected to arrive and the actual order of how they arrived is illuminating. I wish we had the same procedure over here, it would tell us such a lot. The order was as follows. 1st arrived (11th forecast) - 2nd (1st) - 3rd (8th) - 4th (7th) - 5th (2nd) - 6th (10th) - 7th (5th) - 8th (8th) and 9th (3rd) . The real significance of all this is difficult to understand but quite clearly at this kind of distance and with this kind of racing previous form does not necessarily apply. Mr Jorna's first bird was his 11th selected, beating his first selected pigeon by half an hour. This must have been a surprise - albeit a pleasant one, for even to get a pigeon at this distance is a joy never mind two so quick and almost on top of each other, both being in the first 128 positions in the entire International.
The other way to interpret these forecast figures is to say that the whole team is of such a high quality and of such a a high standard of fitness that even the 11th selected pigeon was of an exceptional quality and could as it did out perform the rest of the team. The result bears this out for to clock your 11th selected pigeon after more than 800 miles means it must be a good pigeon in good condition in the first place and those fancied to arrive before it by its owner must also be better rated good in the mind of the owner at the time of basketing. I know of no other fancier who has put up anywhere near such a good performance at this distance and clocked nine pigeons from 14 sent.
I often hear fanciers decry such pigeons at distances like this as being too slow. They are often termed plodders. They also call foul when we quote positions like 5247th as being a position we just would not bother to clock. Fanciers like this just do not know half of what they are talking about. If a pigeon arrived at a UK loft at 1610 on the second day I can say it would not only be clocked but it would be called a star in any location North of Birmingham. Unfortunately most fanciers see speed as the only criteria. I disagree for without such pigeons at the cutting edge of their physical and mental capability pigeons would not ever be tested. We have to have such pigeons achieve such feats in order to replenish and renew the ideals of the sport. There is no hiding place at distances such as this. That is the real beauty of flying them. Individual Ego of the fancier does not count here. Banging the drum is an empty sound over 800 miles for everyone knows they can all fail the following year. This is where pigeon racing is at its most difficult. This is where the future of racing pigeons as a healthy and vibrant species is going to come from.
They may not be the fastest in pure speed but they are sound in mind and constitution and when the conditions are slightly in their favour they do very well. The Barcelona of 2004 proved this to be the case. Today so many pigeons are fast but unsound like highly bred race horses needing constant veterinary attention in order to keep them on the track. 800-mile pigeons do not need to be wrapped in cotton wool to survive. They are the breed this way. We all must look to their example if we wish to rediscover absolute health and vitality for future generations of racing pigeons. It is interesting to note that the 2nd marked pigeon a hen and the 5th pigeon clocked this year in 807th place was also timed in the International Barcelona in 2003. This hen a 1998 bird was 260th open against more than 20,000 pigeons that year and has now flown it again. Any pigeon that flies a distance of over 1300 km twice in a lifetime is not accident. Luck does not play a part in the career of such a pigeon - There are very few of them, if any, about. 260th International and 807th International flying over 1300 km are star performances in any ones language at any time.
Outer Jordan sent 9 Hens and 5 cocks - He timed 7 of his hens and 2 cocks. Perhaps there is a lesson here. We should send more hens to the distance, they seem to be more reliable, but who am I to say such things - I have yet to even get one at 800 miles never mind get on the International result. At least I am not on my own, but this Dutch experience tells us something - we could eventually do it if we try long enough and hard enough. It will be done eventually even in the UK when we get the sport sorted out and return to the trail of long distance endurance pigeons - We here in the UK are capable of anything if we try -- of that I am sure. Of that I am certain.
John Clements
