Christiaens – De Smedt (Pamel) 1st Provincial Agen 855 yearlings

On the international race from Agen we were released at 8:05 in the morning. The first pigeons just reached the limit of 1,100 m/min, which indicated that it was not going to be an easy flight. That was briefly refuted by the tandem Christiaens – De Smedt from Pamel in Flemish Brabant. Dirk had his entire racing team of yearlings in the basket and they did excellently. The first pigeon fell at 8:24 PM and afterwards we had to wait 37 minutes for a second one, but after that things progressed at a rapid pace with 25 pigeons in the clock on the day of the release. The first pigeon was good for 1st Provincial against 855 yearlings and 7th National against 7,396 pigeons. This one is a grandchild of “Hendrik” who was himself one of the best Barcelona flyers here in Pamel. One week later it was Barcelona where only 8 were basketted, where a direct child of “Hendrik” was the first arrival. Good for 5th Provincial Barcelona against 782 old birds and 32nd National of 6,310 pigeons. Here Dirk had 5 pigeons with prizes of 8 and on Agen he won 46 prizes of 66. A great success and on to the next races.

Top results from Agen and Barcelona

At Agen she achieved a fantastic series with the yearlings, it was an incredible train that followed and resulted in a high prize percentage.

Agen Prov 855 yearlings : 1,7,8,10,11,12,13,17,19,21,22,27,29,31,32,33,37,40,41,45,46,48,48,50,51,70,75,77,82,… 46/66
Agen Nat 7.396 yearlings : 7,68,70,82,86,106,121,146,163,172,192,219,224,231,232,233,262,271,274,303,312,316,326,379,385,… 42/66

Barcelona Prov 782 old birds : 5,22,29,… 5/8
Barcelona Nat 6.310 old birds : 32,117,166,… 5/8

Nest game is still running 

The nest game is still a permanent fixture here during the season, the racing pigeons are raced here in total widowhood. They are darkened from March 1 to May 1 and are illuminated from the longest day of the year from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM in the morning and 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM in the evening.

The pigeons are always basketed after 10 to 14 days of incubation, only the Agen team had a different nest position than planned due to the flight for Agen that fell into the water. Normally they flew to Blois, but due to the bad weather they were basketed at Argenton one week later. As a result, they went a week less far in breeding towards Agen. The condition was good because at Argenton they already played 2nd club and won the prizes they deserved. For a team of extreme long distance pigeons this was certainly a boost, which they only confirmed later on in Agen. 

The pigeons train here twice a day, still as before, a rhythm / habit that you can call it from the beginning of the year. The pigeons know this inside and out and a large group always flies easier. 

The pigeons are still in 3 lofts that are connected to each other and where all the pigeons fly together. This way, motivation and attention for each other remains and the mutual urge is somewhat stimulated.

The Agen team normally now flies twice a shorter flight from Noyon and then heads towards Narbonne. If the weather is not good enough to release the basket after 1 night, no risks are taken and we will take the pigeons ourselves away up to 80 km. We don't take any risks here to lose the litters.

First pigeon from Agen and Barcelona  

BE 23-2064705 “Agen Master”
1 Provincial Agen 855p (7th National 7,396 yearlings)

Father BE 21-2013581 Hendrik Somsonetta
Son of “880/12” Hendrik is 2nd National Ace Pigeon Barcelona 2017-2018, he won, among others, 30 Nat Barcelona and 43 Nat Barcelona 
x “226/13” Somsonetta Jan Vanermen is half-sister 1st National Agen 7,396 yearlings 2024 

Mother BE 19-4195596 Checkered
½ sister 15th National Barcelona, ​​92nd National Agen
Daughter of “055/15” Roderik Carlo Gyselbrecht is son of “Nathan” 16th Inter.Nat Barcelona. x “NL 085/11” Daughter Miss Gijsje. 
This is a super breeding hen and is mother of 20 Nat Pau, 36 Nat Marseille, 38 Nat Marseille, 45 Nat Marseille, 66 Nat Agen

BE 21-2013561 “Barcelona Master”
5 Prov Barcelona 782p (32 National 6,310p)

Father BE 12-2162880 “Hendrik” 
This topper was 2nd Nat. Ace Pigeon Barcelona '17-'18, 5th I.Nat Ace Pigeon Barcelona '17-'18. 
He won 30 Nat Barcelona 7,874p – 43 Nat Barcelona 7,438d 
Son of “255/10” Son Cancellara is a super breeder x “664/03” Granddaughter Laureate Barcelona Gyselbrecht 

Mother NL 1213085/2011 Daughter Miss Gijsje - Arjan Beens 
Super breeding hen 
Mother of 20 Nat Pau , 36 Nat Marseille, 38 Nat Marseille, 45 Nat Marseille, 66 Nat Agen 
Daughter of “NL 830/08” Mr.Beautiful Arjan Beens himself won 33 NU Brive + 89 NU St.Vincent x
 “NL 874/08” Olympic Miss Gijsje Arjan Beens herself won 6 Nat Brive 18,246p – 7 Nat Montpellier 10,253p – 7 Nat Cahors 11,054p – 15 Nat Brive 12,332p

Dirk and Kristel congratulations on these fantastic achievements from the entire HERBOTS TEAM.

Buelens Kim