Erik van de Laak (l), Rien van Oss (m) and Irving van Oss (r)
Team van Oss is a father-son combination that consists of Rien (69), his son Irving (37) and loft caretaker Erik van de Laak (50). The pigeons from Velddriel (Province 7) are raced as Team van Oss, and their main focus is the one day long distance. In addition, Irving founded a new team in Engelen in 2019 (in Province 3), where he races young birds exclusively. Entrepreneur Rien van Oss got involved in the sport at an early age, through his father, his father-in-law and his brother Frans. It is Rien's job to monitor the entire undertaking; he could best be referred to as the loft manager.
His son Irving has been involved in pigeon racing for 17 years now, and his main task is to look after the breeding birds and the youngsters in Engelen. Besides, he helps Erik in the lofts in Kerkdriel as well. Erik has been the team's loft caretaker for an impressive 30 years, and he is responsible for looking after the racing birds (both old and young birds) in Velddriel. And lastly we have his mother Diny. She does not play an active role in this pigeon loft but she is always there when the pigeons arrive home. This is a highly motivated team that works really well together. For instance, they have a weekly meet-up to talk about their pigeons, and to try and avoid mistakes. They do this all year round.
Achievements at the highest level
Like we said earlier, the team from Velddriel's primary focus is the one day long distance. They have been quite successful here, especially in the past couple of years. They gained an excellent reputation in The Netherlands and abroad, particularly in the NPO competition. In 2018, they were the first Dutch loft to claim places 1 through 5 in a national races. And in 2019 they won two national victories, as well as a 1st, 2nd and 4th NPO Chateauroux. To get a better idea of the level of quality in this pigeon breed, we included some of their best achievements and their most prominent championships titles (in important competitions) from 2018 and 2019:
National
1st National champion nominated one day long distance 2019
14th National champion not nominated one day long distance 2019
7th, 9th, 23rd, 54th and 83rd pigeon champion national one day long distance 2019
Northern Union (Provinces 7 through 11)
2018: 2nd Champion one day long distance O.A.
7th Champion one day long distance overall
6th, 14th, and 20th Ace Pigeon one day long distance
2019: 2nd Champion one day long distance O.A.
2nd Champion one day long distance overall
Province 7 Central Holland
2018 6th Champion YBs O.A.
6th Champion YBs A.
1st and 7th Ace Pigeon YBs
Fondclub Utrecht
2019: 1st Champion one day long distance O.A.
1st Champion YBs O.A.
Bossche Concours Combinatie (Irving van Oss)
2019: 1st Champion YBs long distance overall
1st Champion YBs long distance O.A.
2nd Champion YBs long distance A.
2nd Champion YBs short distance overall
2nd Champion YBs short distance O.A.
2nd Champion YBs short distance A.
1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 19th, and 20th Ace Pigeon YBs overall BCC
Uitslagen 2019 Velddriel
Chateauroux NPO 3,243 p.: 1-2-4-15-16-22-26-27-33-35-36-38-etc. (and 3-5-9 of 10,300 p.)
Melun NPO 1,975 YB.: 1-5-etc. (and 2-7 of 6,383 p.)
Pont St. Maxence 15,021 p.: 2nd
Sezanne 11,709 p.: 5-12
Salbris 5,746 p.: 5th
Issoudun S3 14,084 p.: 5-12-20-27-28-35-90-etc. (43/62)
Chateaudun S3 8,435 p.: 8-18-19-32-41-72-77-etc. (30/34)
Vierzon S3 8,065 p.: 21-25-35-45-68-76-90-etc. (22/30)
Niergnies 4,957 YB.: 4th
Sens S3 8,414 YB.: 2nd
Sens NPO 2,403 YB.: 9th
Results of 2018 Velddriel
Bourges Nat. S3 10,639 p.: 2-13-32-43-58-59-82-etc. (24/35)
Chateauroux Nat. S3 8,623 p.: 1-9-50-56-57-67-etc (18/30)
Nanteuil Nat. S3 14,422 p.: 2-3-4-22-24-27-29-30-57-65-83-84-86-96-100-etc. (60/88)
Melun Nat. S3 8,389 p.: 1-2-3-4-5-13-14-18-19-27-33-35-45-47-48-49-62-63-65-69-70-72-74-etc.(63/84)
Lessines 2,628 p.: 1-2-3-4-9-17-19-23-24-26-27-etc.
Lessines 2,428 p.: 1-60-61-63-64-68-73-etc. (43/104)
Niergnies Prov 7 6,938 p.: 1-2-3-9-14-15-16-17-21-22-23-24-25-26-27-34-36-40-etc. (75/102)
Young Birds Engelen 2019 (Irving van Oss)
Isnes 1,531 p.: 1-2-4-etc.
Chimay 1,095 p.: 2-9-etc.
Nanteuil 621 p.: 6-10-etc.
Isnes 1,884 p.: 6-7-9-10-etc.
Chimay 2,226 p.: 1-10-etc.
Lorris 432 p.: 2-4-5-6-8-11-12-14-etc.
Morlincourt 941 p.: 2-10-11-16-17-19-20-etc.
Orleans NPO Prov 3 2,596 p.: 3-20-22-26-33-40-45-58-59-75-77-79-etc. (and 8th S1 10,333 p.)
Morlincourt 8,641 p.: 1-2-3-4-5-6-etc.
The pigeon family today
The racing lofts of Team van Oss in Velddriel
Rien has been particularly strong with pigeons of the Klak family; they were outstanding in his lofts in Engelen and Haarsteeg. He moved to his current loft in Velddriel about 11 years ago, at which time he decided to focus more and more on the one day long distance. He did need some new bloodlines for this discipline however, since the old Klak pigeons were less suited for longer distance racing. The idea was to obtain pigeons that can deliver in the one day long distance competition for many years to come. He successfully invested in pigeons from the following breeds:
- Pros Roosen (Belgium). The most important exponent of this breed is De Pros, which developed into one of the top breeders in Velddriel, as the sire of several NPO winners. And he has bred several generations of successful descendants.
- Jan Hooymans (Kerkdriel). The team obtained as many as seven youngsters of the legendary Harry, four youngsters of New Harry and fifteen other direct Harry descendants.
- Dick van Oort (Zaltbommel). Several youngsters of the best breeders of this champion were obtained. These pigeons are closely related to the Janssen Brothers bloodlines.
- Mrs. Snellen & Son (Den Bosch). A first round of youngsters of this renowned breed went to Velddriel a few years in a row, in exchange for some of their third round, and a few youngsters from the best breeders of Ruud & Irving.
- They also obtained some top class birds of Gaby Vandenabeele (full sister and brother of Nieuwe Bliksem), Jos Goessen and Koen Minderhout.
- They purchased a few other renowned racing birds, such as Issi of Jarco de Jong (1st National Issoudun), Hattrick of Alex van Zomeren (5th NPO Issoudun of 2,895 p., 6th NPO Bourges of 4,814 p. and 10th NPO Chateauroux of 3,544 p.), Nationaaltje of Christian van de Wetering and Melinda of Arie den Hartog.
Today, the team's number one bloodline is based around the pigeons of Jan Hooymans and Dick van Oort. In addition to the bloodlines from our overview, some other notorious racing birds from recent seasons have been transferred to the breeding loft, such as Nettie (1st Nat. Melun), Gebroken Poot (1st NPO Chateauroux), Miss Mosquito, Janne (1st Prov. Ace Pigeon), Meaux and Kalya (8th Nat. Ace Pigeon YBs NPO), and others. The breeding loft, which sits above the offices, in the attic, is 18 metres long and 8 metres wide, and is home to 60 breeding pairs, all kept in separate breeding boxes. They have an additional 60 racing cocks kept in widowhood. They breed 180 youngsters in Velddriel and 140 youngsters in Engelen every year. In order to raise these 300+ youngsters in a fairly short period of time, they have a team of 60 feeding pairs. And with so many top quality breeders at their disposal, Team van Oss has managed to perform at a very high level in recent years. We take a closer look at some of their best breeders.
BE10-5182803, De Pros
If you look at the origins of De Pros, you will quickly understand why this pigeon has become a very important breeder. De Pros is related to many of Pros Roosen's legendary stock breeders, such as De Chateauroux, De Flits and Freddy. Click here for the full pedigree of De Pros. Today, he is the sire of several NPO winners and other top performers:
1st Pigeon Champion one day long distance Prov. 7 2017 1st NPO Meaux 6,316 p. 1st NPO Melun 1,975 p. 3rd NPO Montlucon 4,430 p. 3rd NPO Melun 8,389 p. 8th NPO Bourges 4,814 p. 2nd Quievrain 1,908 p. 5th Chimay 2,007 p. 7th Isnes 1,768 p. 9th Nanteuil 1,782 p. And he is also the grandfather of: 6th Ace Pigeon N.U. (Prov. 7 through 11) 2nd Nat. Bourges 16,658 p. 3rd Montlucon 8,641 p. 10th NPO Issoudun 4,089 p. 10th NPO Vierzon 2,671 p. 1st Asse Zellik 3,963 p. 8th Quievrain 3,440 p.
In 2019, De Pros and Lady Harry (daughter Harry) are the parents of the 15th best yearling (NL18-1227502) in The Netherlands in the PIPA Ranking for Mrs. Snellen & Son (Den Bosch). This 502 was bred by Team van Oss, and she was transferred to the loft of Snellen & Son together with her nest mate the 501. This 501 proved quite talented as well, winning for instance a 3rd NPO Montlucon.
The Harry dynasty
It is fairly clear that the Harry dynasty has played a crucial role in the team's many great results in recent seasons. Like we said, they have an impressive 7 youngsters of Harry, 4 youngsters of New Harry, and an additional 15 direct Harry descendants in their pigeon collection in Velddriel. These include for instance:
NL12-1784176 Het Harriëtje (Harry x Sister Dolce Vita). She is the dam of:
7th Nat. Ace Pigeon one day long distance 2019 2nd Pont St. Maxence 15,323 p. 6th Tours 1,340 p. 12th Sezanne 11,709 p. 20th NPO Vierzon 2,671 p. 23rd NPO Chateauroux 3,243 p. 27th NPO Issoudun 14,084 p. 44th NPO Chateauroux 2,803 p. Besides, she is the grandmother of: 2nd Oudenaarde 2,399 p. 3rd Oudenaarde 2,399 p. 4th Oudenaarde 2,399 p. 3rd Morlincourt 1,013 p. 9th Niernies 5,232 p. 10th Troyes 3,567 p. 10th Niergnies 1,302 p.
NL13-1395608 Harry 608 (Harry x Inbred Kannibaal). He is the sire of:
2nd NPO Chateauroux 3,243 p. (and 5th National 10,300 p.) 4th St. Quentin 10,974 p. 4th Niergnies 7,027 p. 7th NPO St. Quentin 7,407 p. 12th Menen 1,762 p. 14th Niergnies 6,844 p. 14th Blois 2,310 p. 19th Pont St. Maxence 7,535 p. 22nd NPO Chateauroux 2,803 p.
NL16-1663449 Lady Harry (Harry x Mother Vici). She is the dam of:
3rd Nat. Melun 8,389 p. 2nd Quievrain 1,908 p. 3rd Montlucon 8,641 p. 5th Chimay 2,007 p. 7th Isnes 1,768 p. 9th Nanteuil 6,782 p.
NL16-1663889 Special New Harry (New Harry x Daughter Harry). She is the dam of:
9th Nat. Ace Pigeon one day long distance 4th Ace Pigeon one day long distance Prov. 7 7th Ace Pigeon YBs Prov. 7 2nd Ace Pigeon YBs Fondclub Utrecht 5th Ace Pigeon YBs BCC 4th Nat. Melun 8,389 p. 5th Sezanne 11,709 p. 15th NPO Chateauroux 3,243 p. 23rd NPO Bourges 5,274 p. 26th NPO Chateauroux 2,803 p. 26th NPO Vierzon 2,671 p. 22nd NPO Orleans 2,596 p. 40th Roye 5,996 p. 41st Isnes 1,884 p. 42nd Chimay 2,226 p. 64th Niergnies 4,849 p. 6th Pont St. Maxence 411 p.
NL18-5140905, Nettie
Nettie comes straight from the team of champions of Mrs. Snellen & Sons (Den Bosch), bred from super class pair "Koppel 3". For the pedigree of Nettie, click here. Nettie won a 1st National Melun of 8,389 pigeons, after which she developed into a successful breeder. She was for instance paired to Gebroken Poot (see below), and together they bred Kalya (Kalya's pedigree). She was an 8th National ace Pigeon YBs NPO in 2019, and her youngsters have been quite successful as well, winning:
1st Ace Pigeon YBs BCC 2019 8th Ace Pigeon YBs National NPO 2019 2nd Chimay 1,095 p. 4th Lorris 432 p. 4th Melun 219 p. 7th Isnes 1,164 p. 9th Isnes 1,884 p. 20th Chimay 2,226 p. 27th Laon 941 p. 58th NPO Orleans 2,596 p.
NL16-1665605, Gebroken Poot
Gebroken Poot was particularly outstanding in the one day long distance, and is now showing to be an excellent breeder as well. Like we said, he was paired to Nettie (see earlier) when he became the sire of Kalya (8th National Ace Pigeon YBs NPO 2019). Gebroken Poot wins most notably:
1st NPO Chateauroux 8,623 p. (and 9th Nat. 27,623 p.) 4th NPO Bourges 4,814 p. (and 6th Nat. 14,226 p.) 2nd Niergnies 5,232 p.
The sire of Gebroken Poot is Dicky; he comes from Dick van Oort, and the dam is a direct Geeloger of Koen Minderhout. Click here for Gebroken Poot's pedigree.
NL16-1277361, Hattrick
Hattrick was obtained from Alex van Zomeren, and this bird has been quite a successful investment. For the full pedigree of Hatrick, click here. He is a top ten finisher in three NPO races:
5th NPO Issoudun 2,895 p. 6th NPO Bourges 4,814 p. 10th NPO Chateauroux 3,544 p. 2nd Ace Pigeon one day long distance N.U. 2017 3rd Best long distance pigeon in The Netherlands PIPA ranking 2017 (3 prizes)
He has demonstrated his potential in the loft of Rien and Irving as well. Paired to the aforementioned Special New Harry, he is the sire of the following prize winners:
9th Nat. Ace Pigeon one day long distance
4th Ace Pigeon one day long distance Prov. 7
7th Ace Pigeon YBs Prov. 7
2nd Ace Pigeon YBs Fondclub Utrecht
5th Ace Pigeon YBs BCC
4th Nat. Melun 8,389 p.
5th Sezanne 11,709 p.
15th NPO Chateauroux 3,243 p.
23rd NPO Bourges 5,274 p.
26th NPO Chateauroux 2,803 p.
26th NPO Vierzon 2,671 p.
22nd NPO Orleans 2,596 p.
40th Roye 5,996 p.
41st Isnes 1,884 p.
42nd Chimay 2,226 p.
64th Niergnies 4,849 p.
6th Pont St. Maxence 411 p.
An absolute star in the one day long distance
Like we said, the team decided to set their minds on the one day long distance around eight years ago. And this has been a successful undertaking indeed. They reached their goals with the help of a top-tier breeding loft. And this is a group of fanciers that leaves nothing to chance. Rien and Irving are running a recruitment company for professionals in the meat processing industry. They run this company with great passion, and they are just as passionate about their pigeon family. Their dedication, combined with a group of top quality pigeons, is almost guaranteed to lead to many great results in national races in the coming seasons.
The racing lofts of Irving van Oss in Engelen