N O W T H a T T H E R a C E S a R E O V E R

 

NOW THAT THE RACES ARE OVER !

 

People are looking to replace the weekly win buzz. Energies are now put into the lift given by fresh birds that catch the eye at sales - beware before parting with the dosh. Then there is the lure of club politics to follow, where egos are massaged and rules are made. We try to abide by the rules and our energies are spent in study of our own birds as they grow and moult through the winter. It should be the season of calm for all in readiness for the breeding and racing seasons. On a practical level, any loft alterations can be carried out. Be wary of diseases like Salmonella as the birds moult-we have our birds out in the weather to give the immune system a blow. Look out for tips in the media to expand your knowledge, and keep the long term goals in sight as times change. I have a network of contacts who trade and swap birds which is rewarding and a few features to write. Many men will sit, ponder and dream of things that may become a reality.

 

Jim Emerton

 

 

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

 

Any distance can prove to be difficult in racing. I am attracted to those which test fancier and bird, as this show in the types of birds produced and in the nature of a strain thus generated by persistent events. This is best reflected in the interiority and performance genes of the birds, although I do like the smaller sharp looking birds. Over 500 miles on the day, against the wind is good and International races over 700 miles test the bird’s navigational ability and speed/endurance faculty. In wet weather races birds with oily, silky feather tend to shine. Good little hens in these races often leave good birds behind and I inbreed to these birds for stock. Excellent condition, produced by the fancier may lessen the difficulty of the race. Too many hard races in a season and you will need a holiday and the birds a good rest.

 

 

Jim Emerton

 

 

KNOWLEDGE

 

The individual and specialist knowledge of the fancier is a crucial ingredient of a good or great flier, as you will NOT reach the top with just good birds. A great depth of understanding of a system and nutrition is vital to enter the birds in top race condition. Once you have the info you need, the hardest thing is to follow it through into hard results-the objective, outward realisation of your plans and dreams. Esoteric knowledge comes with increases in distance and the Barcelona men will know the true nature of reality, since waiting in this race needs the personification of patience. It will hurt you and you will feel it to the core - memories are cultivated by hardship. It is nice to share accumulated knowledge with others, as published articles to help or stimulate others in the collective consciousness of the sport, from the mind/study relationship.

 

Jim Emerton

 

 

KEEPING A STRAIN OF PIGEONS ALIVE

 

After nearly 40 years of focus I cling to the old bloodlines which will be tested in England/Ireland/Scotland and Holy Island amongst enthusiasts. With few surviving introductions, the birds will evolve and change over time, as people reach the end of their lifecycle. It is nice to hold on to the dream that was created aeons of time ago. The irony is that the UK has a culture of outbreeding any new introductions on a constant and fluid basis. Certain men, often distance specialists inbreed as part of long term planning, as they are masters of racing, with specialist knowledge. These like Donaldson and Denney and Denys are people I look at for a genuine inbred /outbreeding experiment to augment the basic family tree. People like these keep the quality high by strict racing regimes. Building a strain is a lasting adventure into the unknown and is a self-fulfilling exercise into existentialism.

 

Jim Emerton

                     

Left: UNIQUE BREEDING GSON OF BARCELONA DREAM AND DARK ENCHANTMENT BOTH 879 MILES INTERNATIONAL BIRDS PLUS CIRCUS BOY LINE -THE BIRD IS UNCLE TO MUSGROVE ADDICTION TWICE 710 MILES BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL-TRUE MARATHON GENES.

Right: UNIQUE BREEDING GSON OF BARCELONA DREAM AND ODDBALL - G-PARENTS SCORED AT 879 MILES AND PAU 735 MILES AGAINST THE WIND - EMERTON/HARVEY STRAIN.

 

PIGEON KEEPER OR RACER?

 

In my long career of 63 years in association with pigeons and birds, I have met many characters with a deep love and fondness for pigeons. My father set me off with his fancy birds and tumblers, priests, jacobins and other beautiful, cultivated types. I know men who must have compulsions for the names of the day and collect birds to admire as crown jewel possessions -these are must have people. Now the purist and case -hardened racing man, will use his lovely birds to test his prowess and perhaps to seek fame and recognition in true competitive racing. The champion will aim to perfect an overall system where results will be the parameter of excellence, not the joy of keeping a loft of nice birds. I find many of the keepers to be warmly sentimental and kindly, whereas the great racing men are tough minded and goal orientated. Perhaps I am a fusion of the two traits, as I do love my strain.

 

 

Jim Emerton

 

 

THE ONLY WAY WE CAN PROGRESS

 

My partner and I have put some top birds together in the aviaries for breeding of versatile performance genes origins. We have made nice progress with the results up to 710 miles. Our birds are finding their way into other lofts, of contacts and friends. The way forward and the race is on to find another producer pair and a further racing champion, as our last one was lost in training.These goals represent ways in which we can progress and are single minded fixations to keep us motivated. The lesson we learn is not to be satisfied with what is achieved, as it keeps the job going. Our birds are pretty, yet they become beautiful after they have performed. The sport in general will continue to progress as long as standards are high on the agenda. As an organisational model and template, we can learn a lot from how The Barcelona International Race is run and managed in Europe as a whole, for the eventual liberation of all the convoy to destinations as far as Poland.

 

 Jim Emerton

       

Left: INBRED GDT OF TWICE BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL 710 MILES  AND A DTR. OF 3 TIMES TARBES 671 MILES - EMERTON/HARVEY STRAIN.

 

Right: VERY INBRED EMERTON/HARVEY  SON OF 9TH SECT BARCELONA INT 710 MILES AND GSON TWICE BARCE INT-BIRDS ARE MUSGROVE ADDICTION AND MUSGROVE INSANITY- SEE THE EVOLUTION OF THE EMERTON STRAIN FOR ANCESTORS FROM 1976 ONWARDS.

 

COMPETITIVE ONEUPMANSHIP

 

There are thousands of fanciers going all out to be top dogs and rule the roost, by racing their birds. This is the quintessence of the sport and is linked with many human emotions, which we feel from time to time. The successful fancier will face the sting of criticism and the warmth of praise. They are all exemplified by their humanity. My insight tells me, with the hindsight of wisdom, that if you focus on the birds, then things may happen for you over many years of objective dedication. In a sense, a love of the birds may transcend all your positive experiences in the sport, especially the sentiments associated with old favourites or the ideas behind a personal strain. The “I want to be better than you” syndrome endures at every level and runs through the commercial world of publicity and adverts. It is the competitive fuel of society at large. A few wise old owls find a degree of aloofness from its sting and enjoy a little integrity. The icons of the sport follow a blueprint and stick to their guns. The sport has a distinctly human face.

 

Jim Emerton