We don’t have to introduce these long distance matadors. Hugo Batenburg and Anita van de Merwe have dominated the national podium in the overnight races for years. With over the years around 150 top-100 notations at National level we can rightly speak of one the best overnight racers of the Netherlands. You have been able to read several times on PIPA that this has not gone unnoticed. Many champions who wanted to make themselves stronger paid a visit to Klaaswaal looking for that long distance gold. They didn’t have to think long, because with such an honours list as that from Batenburg - van de Merwe, you can’t resist. Every overnight fancier wants something from those indestructible ' Wittenbuik' lines..
Best performances from Batenburg- van de Merwe over the last few years:
1st National Cahors 10.381 pigeons 2011 fastest of 22.264 pigeons 2nd National Bordeaux 13.574 pigeons 2009 2nd National Mont de Marsan 7.245 pigeons 2003 3rd National Cahors 7.321 pigeons 1999 4th National St. Vincent 6.385 pigeons 2004 5th National Perpignan 5.607 pigeons 2011 6th International Perpignan 15.107 pigeons 2011 6th National Montauban 8.514 pigeons 2009 6th National Barcelona 7.520 pigeons 2007 9th International Barcelona 26.044 pigeons 2011 9th National Barcelona 7.046 pigeons 2011 9th National Perpignan 5.409 pigeons 2010 9th National Bordeaux 3.235 pigeons 2006 10th National Montauban 5.711 pigeons 2000 11th National Cahors 10.325 pigeons 2010 11th National Marseille 3.999 pigeons 2009 11th National Narbonne 3.773 pigeons 2009 11th National St. Vincent 8.556 pigeons 1999 12nd National Perpignan 5.409 pigeons 2010 12nd National Bordeaux 7.409 pigeons 2006 13th National St. Vincent 5.458 pigeons 2011 13th International Barcelona 25.820 pigeons 2007 13th National St. Vincent 7.999 pigeons 2000 13th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005 14th National Cahors 10.381 pigeons 2011 14th National Cahors 10.325 pigeons 2010 14th National Bordeaux 5.660 pigeons 2010 14th National Bergerac 11.953 pigeons 2000 15th National St. Vincent 8.556 pigeons 1999 15th National Perpignan 5.294 pigeons 2007 16th National Bordeaux 12.423 pigeons 2008 18th National Perpignan 6.505 pigeons 2009 18th National Bordeaux 8.051 pigeons 2007 18th National St. Vincent 7.999 pigeons 2000 19th National Perpignan 6.505 pigeons 2009 20th National Bergerac 13.001 pigeons 2005 20th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005
2011 at the top once again:
It was also bingo in 2011 for the cheerful Batenburg - van de Merwe family. They raced extremely well there in Klaaswaal and displayed how the overnight races should be raced. A good piece of craftsmanship which resulted in:
1st National Marathon Champion
1st PIPA IATP – five year classification 2007-2011
1st European Marathon
1st West-European Super marathon 10 nominated
1st Keizer Champion ZLU
1st Champion Interprov. North and South Holland Extreme long distance
1st Champion Not nominated Interprov. North and South Holland
1st Champion Nominated Interprov. North and South Holland
1st Superprestige Interprov. North and South Holland
1st Keizer champion Prov. 5 South-Holland
1st Barcelona Masters 1st and 2nd nominated
1st Keizer champion Club der Azen
1st Supercup Toppigeons
2nd European Cup
It is well-known that the pigeons from Batenburg- van de Merwe have racing quality. But where the breeding is concerned they are just as good. Logically, every year the breeding loft produces pigeons which realise the performances above. A saying so as ' Breeding is gold, racing is silver' is also applicable to the Batenburg- van de Merwe loft. But what about the quality of the Batenburg- van de Merwe pigeons/lines in other lofts, are they ‘just as’ successful?.. I’ll leave the answer to you, take a look at the (concise) list of references.. all achieved with pigeons or lines of Batenburg- van de Merwe ..
1991: 1st National Dax 12.797 pigeons by Felix Roosendaal, Piershil (NL)
1996: 1st Internat. Barcelona(hens) - - - - - - by Felix Roosendaal, Piershil (NL)
1st National Bergerac 16.828 pigeons by C.v.d. Linden, Krimpen a/d IJssel (NL)
1st National Dax 3.662 pigeons by J.H. den Haan, Strijen (NL)
2000: 1st National Montauban 7.281 pigeons by G.J. van Kooten, Krimpen a/d IJssel (NL)
2001: 1st Internat. Perpignan 20.859 pigeons by Menne und Tochter, Hamminkeln (Germany)
2002: 1st Internat. Pau 7.867 pigeons by Piere Verove (France)
2003: 1st National Mont de Marsan 7.245 pigeons by Ad Fortuin, Strijen (NL)
1st National Bergerac 28.402 pigeons by J. van 't Land, Naarden (NL)
1st National Bergerac 9.354 pigeons by A. van Berkel, Rotterdam (NL)
2004: 1st National Barcelona 7.875 pigeons by Vrosch-Meijers, Heerlen (NL)
1st National Barcelona 1.933 pigeons by Robert Ben Calais (France)
1st Internat. Pau (hens) 1.544 pigeons by Delrue Pere & Fils (France)
1st National St. Vincent 6.385 pigeons by W.Schouten, Strijen (NL)
1st Internat. Acebird pau 1998-2002 by J.Polder, Middelharnis (NL)
1st National Acebird Grote Fond '01 by G.J. van Kooten, Krimpen a.d IJssel (NL)
1st National Acebird Grote Fond '03 by A.van Berkel, Rotterdam (NL)
2005: 1st National St. Vincent II 32.149 pigeons (fastest) by J.Polder, Middelharnis (NL)
1st National St. Vincent I 16.057 pigeons by Louis boden, Heerle (NL)
2007: 1st National Bergerac III 15.490 pigeons by Arjan Beens, Genemuiden (NL)
2008: 1st National Bergerac I+II 23.512 pigeons by Pleun Sluimer, Zuid Beijerland (NL)
1st Internat. Perpignan 17.643 pigeons by Comb. i.J.J. Roobol, Zwijndrecht (NL)
2009: 1st National Bordeaux 10.418 yearlings by Sjaak v.d. velde & Zn. Breskens (NL)
1st Internat. Bordeaux 17.642 yearlings by Sjaak v.d. Velde & Zn. Breskens (NL)
1st National Bordeaux 1.455 pigeons by Freialdenhofen u. Sohne, Aldenhoven(Germany)
1st National Montelimar 8.193 pigeons by Erik Peeters, Westerlo (Belgium)
1st National Narbonne 3.771 pigeons by Hans Knetsch, Katwijk a.d. Rijn (NL)
2nd Internat. Narbonne 14.457 pigeons by Hans Knetsch, Katwijk a.d. Rijn (NL)
2011: 1st National Acebird Yearlings Fond Romania by Dario Luci & Claudiu (Romania)
1st National St. Vincent 5.481 pigeons by W.van Nederpelt, Klaaswaal (NL)
1st Internat. Acebird Perpignan 2007-2011 by J. van der Velden, Zuid-beijerland (NL)
1st Internat. Acebird Perpignan 2010-2011 by Ad Fortuin, Strijen (NL)
1st National Marseille hens by Comb. Janssen-Hausoul from Epen (NL)
2nd National Marseille hens by Comb. Janssen-Hausoul from Epen (NL)
... These are 'enumerations ' which make people in pigeon land think. With the understanding that the above are only 1st or 2nd prizes at International and National level.. Naturally the above performances were delivered by just as sublime pigeon coaches, but it can’t be otherwise in our current pigeon sport. It is pure top sport at National and International level. The pigeons from Batenburg - van de Merwe are more than capable, know what front racing is, as well as being beautiful in the hand. They do what every fancier expects of them.. And it is this reason why these pigeons are an asset for any pigeon fancier for the breeding loft.
In the current February Auction II there are a few beautiful Batenburg- van de Merwe pigeons which could give you the above results. There is an extremely good chance as the pigeons from this Klaaswaalse top loft almost always breeds well with 'strange sort'. It is quality that can’t be avoided. It is a modern sport pigeon which braves the most difficult and toughest races to make you a happy fancier...We haven’t exaggerated, because look at this lovely family laughing.....laughing from pleasure!
