RACES THAT STIR PASSIONS & EMOTIONS
by Jim Emerton
To me the feelings generated by the many aspects of racing are the essence and motivation, the raison d’etre of the sport. Behind the world of facts and knowledge, personal responses are the pulse of it all. It occurred to me that the idea and impact of the famed Barcelona International race is so large that it transcends the sport in the world of pigeon racing. See for yourself how the leading studs are competing to buy and sell from the champions. It has become a collective, cultural phenomenon, and excites the emotions, dreams and aspirations of the many, and sans doute the race, a magnificent spectacle inspires awe and wonder. The racepoint is the culmination of a man’s dream - have a go!
The fabled Pau in the NFC has been replaced by Tarbes which still inspires devotion, and is as far as many want to go and can be testing. My little Dark Echantment was recorded twice at Pau 735 miles and once at Barcelona 879 miles and she lived out her days in the stock loft. A bird I recall with great affection - a real old fashioned marathon pigeon.
If the feeling at the end of the season is happiness then you have cracked it.
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Elimar - December 2014
