Gino Houbrechts wint 1ste Provinciale Perpignan Limburg

Gors-Opleeuw - Gino Houbrechts achieved an impressive victory on the international pigeon flight from Perpignan. His fastest pigeon won the 1st provincial prize for the province of Limburg against a strong competition of 557 old birds. At national level, this pigeon managed a handsome 123rd place in a field of 4,850 pigeons.

Miss Sangria

The hen that won the 1st provincial prize on Perpignan is a red hen with ring number 5057083/20, nicknamed "Miss Sangria". This pigeon comes from a strong line with the father of Ferdy Schuermans from Sint-Truiden and the mother of Staf Haex from Bilzen. This year, "Miss Sangria" has already achieved impressive results, including the 39th Nat. against 694 pigeons on Valence (168th Nat. against 2,642 pigeons). These fine performances are therefore no surprise to Gino as Miss Sangria also flew some fine results in 2023, including:
27th Nat.Z Argenton against 1,124 old birds
81st Nat.Z Valence against 882 old birds
162nd Nat.Z Perpignan against 828 old birds

"Miss Sangria" flies about two long distance races a year on a youngster 3 to 5 days old and will rarely, if ever, misfly according to Gino.

Pigeon Stock

Gino's lofts in Gors-Opleeuw housed as many as 220 pigeons this winter, including 27 pairs specifically for breeding. During spring and summer, around 140 youngsters were added. Gino's breeding and racing pigeons come from several renowned lines, including those of Nico Jaspers, Marcel and Erik Gielkens, Jos Thoné, Patrick Philippens, 't Jolyn, Emiel Denys, Arjan Beens, Paul Jorssen, Gerry Geurts, Patrick Vervloesem, Surinx-Pletsers, brothers Freddy and Jacques Vandenheede, Stefaan Beeckman, Boudewijn De Bosscher and Ferdy Schuermans, Jos Martens and Dieter Ballmann, to name a few.

Racing Systems

This year, Gino has mainly focused on the long-distance and heavy long-distance flights, even recently getting reinforcements from the Netherlands. For the speed and small middle distance flights, he baskets in Gutshoven, where he has already managed to win first prizes 11 times this year. For the national races, he baskets in Tongeren, with seven first prizes as a result.

Gino plays both widowhood, with about 35 widowers, and nest, with about 35 hens and 5 cocks. He prefers to play the nestlings on small youngsters and these are regularly released himself to provide them with training.

Food and care

Gino takes great care in feeding and caring for his pigeons. The nest pigeons receive a mixture of Versele-Laga Champion black corn, Beyers Energy and Beyers Koopman All in One, supplemented with concentrates such as P40 and Tovo. Two loyal caretakers are on hand daily to advise and assist Gino.

Results 2024

Despite the geographical disadvantages, the performance of Gino's pigeons continues to progress in recent seasons. His strategy of basketing a limited number of pigeons seems to be paying off, with several top-25 results in National Zone C:
24.06.2024 Pau 
10/377(1/2)
27.06. 2024 Argenton
14/750 old birds (4/11)
01.07.2024 Valence
3/694 (2/4)
05.07.2024 Limoges
3,23/800 old birds (2/9)
17/771 yearlings(6/14)
20.07.2024 La Souterraine
20/590 old birds (2/3)
8/685 yearlings (2/7)
8.07. 2024 Bourges 
8/825 yearlings (5/10)
28.07.2024 Bergerac 
25/308 yearlings (2/3)
03.08.2024 Tulle
15/629 old birds (1/5)
3/653 yearlings (3/4)
05.08. 2024 Perpignan
4,25/635 old birds (2/2)

There were also good results at national level:
Valence
4th national against 2,642 old birds 
Limoges
42nd national against 6,889 old birds
Barcelona
1196, 1260, 1366/6,310 old birds (3/3)

Notable Achievements

In 2022, two provincial wins on Cahors and Libourne, as well as a zonal win on Cahors. In 2023, the hen 5032520/22 flew first place in zone C and 12th place internationally against 14,639 yearling birds on Agen. This year, this hen confirmed her qualities again on Agen and Tulle (189th national against 4,964 old birds).

In De Vrede Tongeren, Gino managed to become General Champion in 2022 and 2023. In addition, in recent years he has always been ranked in the championships of the KBDB Limburg division. These achievements give confidence for the coming years, in which he wants to focus further on specific flights and disciplines.

The 2025 season again promises much good, with Gino likely to play more "on nest" and concentrate on the Rhone Valley flights and the heavy long distance. With his string of successes in recent years, expectations are high for what the future will bring.
Gino, congratulations from the entire Herbots team!

Maarten Herbots