Geoff and Catherine Cooper are up there with the best of UK fanciers. They consistently perform well at all distances, but it is the long distances races for which they have a real passion, and especially the international races. Competing against the cream of European fanciers and with the added hurdle of the channel to cross, is what matters to Geoff and Catherine. In the 2017 season they once again proved their ability to get the pigeons home, no matter what the wind or weather.
Geoff holding first section Pau 2017
From Pau (Mont de Marsan), the Coopers timed three pigeons, the only three on the day into the west section, and took third, eighth and twelfth national, this despite a strong westerly wind favouring the east of the country. First to time was a three year old son of Georgeson, the son of George and Gina, the dam of Wollongong, making him a half-brother to Wollongong, first international Pau.
Next on the clock was a two year old blue hen, a daughter of EuroStar, the son of Euro Diamond and Dark Cathay, the daughter of George, first national Tarbes. Dark Cathay is a dam to many winners, including first ace pigeon Europe Wuhan Golden Sands Derby and first Greater Distance Club Agen.
Third to time was a three year old grand-daughter of Farmer George, first international Bordeaux and George, first open National Flying Club and King's Cup Tarbes.
Farmer Sparey
From Agen the Coopers were fourth national and again had the only bird on the day into the west section. The timer this time was a five year old widowhood cock that must have broken from the main convoy early, so far ahead was he of anything else into the west of the UK. This cock is named Farmer Sparey, after Mark Sparey of Wales, who picked him out on a visit to the Cooper's loft a couple of years previously. It was paired up earlier in the season and reared a single youngster before being put on the widowhood system. Farmer Sparey is a grandson of George, first National Flying Club Tarbes and its dam was bred by Clive Lister, being a grand-daughter of Brockamp's George.
Lady of the Night
Once again, from St Vincent the Coopers had the only bird on the day in the west section, followed by another the next day, to take first and third section, third and twenty-eighth national. This time the first on the clock was Farm Lady of the Night, as the widowhood hen arrived in near darkness. A grand-daughter of three different international winners, Farmer George, Wollongong and Forest Junior, Farm Lady of the Night is a full sister to last year's classic winner, Farmer Forest.
Farm Boomerang - first Greater Distance Single Bird from Agen 2016 & 2017
The second pigeon, which was timed the following morning was a widowhood cock, the sire of which is Darkie, the top breeding son of George. Darkie also bred a second Bordeaux international winner for Mark Gilbert. The dam was the same hen that bred Farm Stellar, second national Falaise and third national, three hundred and twenty-eighth international Agen.
Congratulations on your season Geoff and Catherine and all the best for the future.