Pigeon Paradise: world's largest meeting place for pigeon fanciers

In what other way could one describe the fantastic National performances put up this year by Anthony (Tony) & Simon Hughes of Rochdale? This father and son partnership really had ‘the feathers flying’ in 2011.

Next to the German pigeons, the Dutch and Danish ones also performed well in the 16th Sun City MDPR. The best Dutch pigeon, Sundream Wirramira' (Combination Wolfsen - de Ridder from Asperen) finished tenth. In addition, Gerard Koopman's pigeons catched the eye with 4 top 100 prizes (17-22-29-65). Hans & Evert-Jan Eijerkamp also drew attention by finishing 27th, 76th and 77th. The first two Danish pigeons, from Kaj & Michael and Henrik Meldgaard, ended 7th and 15th.

Over the last few days our pigeon sport has been in the ‘spotlights’ in almmost all the media. The reason being the record proceeds for pigeon auctions by PIPA! Newspapers, magazines, radio and TV… it escaped nobody… the new ‘records’ reached the ‘headlines’ everywhere.

On Wednesday the auction will begin on PIPA of Robert Van Eycken, one of the best long distance fanciers of Belgium over the last decade. Sickness has forced Robert to sell his life's work. Here below you can find a castalogue with the presentation of the most predominant pigeons in this auction.

This week 4 new auctions have started: the total auction of Robert Van Eycken, 42 young birds of the best breeders of C&G Koopman, 15 youngsters offered by John Hanson and the February Auction where several topfanciers offer something special! Below a short introduction on every auction.

Yesterdag evening, PIPA CEO Nikolaas Gyselbrecht was invited to talk about the new world record of most expensive pigeon in the famous Belgian talkshow Reyers Laat. You can watch the video excerpt here.

On Thursday the 26th of January we, Marcel Sangers and Chantal Vredeveld, left for Hungary for the 1st FCI Continental Racing Pigeon Fair which was held in the Syma Event Centre in Budapest.

PIPA regularly receives acknowledgments from visitors and clients about articles, auctions, etc. We have recently added about 70 new testimonials.

Team Ruhr - Schink win the 16th Sun City MDPR thanks to their youngster Rubbellos. The top 3 is completed by two other Germans: Team Sylt 2000 - Goebel-Varney (2nd) and Ruediger Schoenau (3rd). Gerard Koopman has 3 birds in the top 30.

Today the auction of Pieter Veenstra ended, in which yesterday the record for the most expensive pigeon ever was broken with 250.400 EURO. Today an even more prestigious record has been added, namely that of the most expensive total auction ever!

The colony of Rudi Diels definitely belongs to the circle of leading lofts in the middle distance in the province Antwerp. His ‘Goudhaantje’ paved the way to ‘national fame’ in 2001… in 2011 it was his grandson ‘Blue Gold’ which pulled out all the stops and put Rudi Diels on the highest throne as ‘national Ace bird small middle distance’ !

One of the best colonies of all-round pigeons that can be found in Europe at the moment, then we are talking about Pieter Veenstra. All his birds are now in this total auction, with exception of late youngsters 2011 and 4 birds in BIS (below more info on that). In this auction no less than 5 different 1st National Acepigeon WHZB and 4 different Olympiad birds, all descending from 2 basic birds 'Mr. Blue' and 'Dirky'.

You've had to wait longer than usual... but on Saturday the 18th of February 2012 it will take place, we will all put on our 'party hats'… for the ‘Party’ from PIPA. It will take place at… the ‘Fugare’ exhibition in Kortrijk Xpo!

The successes of the Geerinckx pigeons over the last 10 seasons, since they started concentrating on the grand middle distance and light long distance, are phenomenal. Not only in their own loft, but in numerous other lofts… a list which just keeps getting longer every year.

On Friday 20th January the roads and motorways of Great Britain were filled with pigeon fanciers travelling to Blackpool for the British Homing World Show of the Year. Geoff and I travelled up from Peasedown St John via the M5 and M6 motorways to arrive at the Hilton Hotel Blackpool for the 40th Show of the Year.