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©2000- 2011 Racing Pigeon Post. All rights expressly reserved.
©2000- 2011 Racing Pigeon Post. All rights expressly reserved.
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The Western European International Pigeon Racing scene from a British perspective.
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The Western European International programme, which has built up over many years, was pioneered, organised and is still administered by the premier Belgian Societies. Time has brought more and more nations to join the challenge which today provides the largest and most competitive series of long distance pigeon races in the world.
The four most prestigious races are:
PAU International organised by La Colombe Joyeuse
BARCELONA International organised by the Cureghem-Centre
MARSEILLES International organised by Club de Fond Wallonie
PERPIGNAN International organised by Entente Belge
These form the core of the programme and from them also comes the “Europa Cup”, probably the most prestigious award in the Racing Pigeon sport. This is awarded to the best average, across these four highly prestigious races, from two nominated pigeons in each race, the top two pigeons shown on the entry form. The “Europa Cup” competition reflects not simply the best performing pigeons but the fancier’s selection ability as well as the quality and consistency of the loft.
There have been other International Races in the programme and at present three others are included being Bordeaux, Tarbes and Narbonne International.
In order to ensure the long distance element of competition each race has a minimum qualifying distance. The inevitable but unfortunate consequence of this is that large parts of France and Germany are excluded from most if not all races. Although the Marseille distance has recently changed it remains the shortest Europa Cup race but mainly due to its more easterly location it does allow some competitors from western France to participate.
The principal countries involved are of course Belgium and Holland but large entries are also made by France and Germany. Luxembourg also contributes well, proportionate to its size, and while the UK has made an entry over many years it has not yet established the numbere that it should. Entries have also been made in recent years from countries more to the east of Europe, Poland in particular, and it is hoped that this pattern will continue and grow in the future.
The four most prestigious races are:
PAU International organised by La Colombe Joyeuse
BARCELONA International organised by the Cureghem-Centre
MARSEILLES International organised by Club de Fond Wallonie
PERPIGNAN International organised by Entente Belge
These form the core of the programme and from them also comes the “Europa Cup”, probably the most prestigious award in the Racing Pigeon sport. This is awarded to the best average, across these four highly prestigious races, from two nominated pigeons in each race, the top two pigeons shown on the entry form. The “Europa Cup” competition reflects not simply the best performing pigeons but the fancier’s selection ability as well as the quality and consistency of the loft.
There have been other International Races in the programme and at present three others are included being Bordeaux, Tarbes and Narbonne International.
In order to ensure the long distance element of competition each race has a minimum qualifying distance. The inevitable but unfortunate consequence of this is that large parts of France and Germany are excluded from most if not all races. Although the Marseille distance has recently changed it remains the shortest Europa Cup race but mainly due to its more easterly location it does allow some competitors from western France to participate.
The principal countries involved are of course Belgium and Holland but large entries are also made by France and Germany. Luxembourg also contributes well, proportionate to its size, and while the UK has made an entry over many years it has not yet established the numbere that it should. Entries have also been made in recent years from countries more to the east of Europe, Poland in particular, and it is hoped that this pattern will continue and grow in the future.
Apart from anything else this provides us with two important facts - all the races are long distance and competition is drawn from the strongest racing pigeon countries in the world. If you don’t feel too daunted by this have a closer look at what these races entail.
The Racepoints
National &
Local Results
Local Results
Pau - 22nd June
Bordeaux - 30th June
Barcelona - 6th July
Irun - 13th July
Marseille - 21st July
Narbonne - 28th July
Perpignan - 3rd August
Bordeaux - 30th June
Barcelona - 6th July
Irun - 13th July
Marseille - 21st July
Narbonne - 28th July
Perpignan - 3rd August
Provisional
2012 International Programme
2012 International Programme
What is the Western European International Pigeon Racing Scene ?
From A Chick’s Point of View
by T. Berokoff
by T. Berokoff
Some Articles.
Pigeon Vitality
Articles by
Jean Paul Imbert
of Club des Internationaux du Dunkerquois
Jean Paul Imbert
of Club des Internationaux du Dunkerquois
“Fondclub de Glazenstad” 2010 International Winners by Wim van Rijk
The ruins of Laurens Church, Rotterdam, and it surroundings.
While the history of long distance racing pigeons began many years ago the impact of the Second World War was such that it almost had to begin again in 1944/5. Jules Gallez expressed it this way in the opening to Part 1 of The History of the Belgian Strains “The few pigeons from before 1940 that survived the war, and the few that were produced during the war, are responsible for the best lofts of the 1945 to 1972 period.” To understand the full impact of this period requires some study of the war itself.
When the German army invaded Poland on 1st September 1939 both Holland and Belgium, along with many others no doubt, hoped to remain neutral. The Belgian Government immediately announced its neutrality on 3rd September and later, on 7th November, a joint public appeal was made by the King of Belgium and the Queen of the Netherlands calling upon all parties to enter into mediation and end the war. On 10th May 1940 Germany invaded Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg as part of the Greater Battle of France and whilst the invasion was resisted this was soon overcome. Just a glimpse at the photograph below, Rotterdam after the terror bombing, will tell you why, the assault was so fast, fierce and powerful that it could not be overcome. The bombing lasted little more than 15 minutes but the effects were devastating, fires raged through the town leaving more than 24,000 homes in ashes. Some 800 people were killed and 80,000 were left homeless. The Germans threatened the same treatment to Utrecht but understandably the Dutch forces capitulated on 15th May, the day after the Rotterdam bombing, and Belgium surrendered shortly after on 28th May. So began several years of occupation.
When the German army invaded Poland on 1st September 1939 both Holland and Belgium, along with many others no doubt, hoped to remain neutral. The Belgian Government immediately announced its neutrality on 3rd September and later, on 7th November, a joint public appeal was made by the King of Belgium and the Queen of the Netherlands calling upon all parties to enter into mediation and end the war. On 10th May 1940 Germany invaded Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg as part of the Greater Battle of France and whilst the invasion was resisted this was soon overcome. Just a glimpse at the photograph below, Rotterdam after the terror bombing, will tell you why, the assault was so fast, fierce and powerful that it could not be overcome. The bombing lasted little more than 15 minutes but the effects were devastating, fires raged through the town leaving more than 24,000 homes in ashes. Some 800 people were killed and 80,000 were left homeless. The Germans threatened the same treatment to Utrecht but understandably the Dutch forces capitulated on 15th May, the day after the Rotterdam bombing, and Belgium surrendered shortly after on 28th May. So began several years of occupation.
World War 2 and Long Distance Racing Pigeons
One of the revelations of the 2011 Racing Pigeon Season!
PATTE MEILLER SYLVAIN
It is in Sus Saint Léger, we find the pigeon fancier Patte Meiller, with a colony that has been for more than 20 years at the highest level!
Read more
Read more
The Big 250 euro Barcelona Pool of 2011.
A Hypothetical Examination
Necessary Passion
The Pigeon Economy
A Hypothetical Examination
Necessary Passion
The Pigeon Economy
The John Clements
Euro Pigeon corner.
Euro Pigeon corner.
An interview with Thorsten Daum FCI World Champion 2009-2010
Reality Television and the Racing Pigeon Digest
Reality television for some is what produces the fodder of conversation the following day at break time or in between classes at school or what burns up the internet as “Did you see what happened last night” is discussed. For others, it is a waste of time. Regardless of where you stand on reality television, it is successful and receives high ratings. From the Housewives of Beverly Hills, New York, or New Jersey to the Kardashians, millions turn in each week to catch up on the latest episodes. What causes these programs to earn top ratings and remain interesting? I believe there are multiple answers.
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By Dyllan Debord
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