Birds of a feather flock together to take pride of place
SATURDAY will see almost 500 topclass racing pigeons on show at the Gonubie Farmers Hall when the Border Homing Union hosts the annual SA National Pigeon Organisation’s (Sanpo) national racing show.
Pigeon fanciers from as far afield as Rustenburg will be entering their best pigeons in a range of show categories. Generally the show classes are arranged according to the pigeon’s colouring but the entries are also classified as Stock Birds (breeding pigeons), Open (flying or stock birds), Flown (where owners have to provide certified evidence that the pigeons have competed at either 500km or less or 500km or more).
A special category, Winners, is open to pigeons that have flown, and have won events, also at either 500km or less and 500km or more. The final division is that of Yearling pigeons, i.e. pigeons rung during 2017.
Besides the various Class winners within each category, the top performers in each will go through to contest the titles of Grand Champion Cock bird and Grand Champion Hen. Out of these will come the Overall Champion pigeon on show. Also highly prized is the title of Most Points on Show, awarded to the exhibitor who scores the most points on the show.
An exciting range of prizes has been donated by a number of avian veterinary and supply companies for distribution to the top lofts and these form an added incentive to fanciers.
Judging will be done by highly experienced Sanpo recognised judges in the persons of Danie Barnard and Fonty Gilmer (Mossel Bay area), Rassie Erasmus and George le Roux (Free State) the latter also being the current Sanpo vice-president and Frik Nel from Gauteng.
The show opens at 8am with judging scheduled between 8.30-11am after which the birds on show will be open to viewing by the public. There is no admission charge and fanciers and other interested persons are encouraged to view the top racing pigeons.