PIPA PODCAST EPISODE 1: Karlo Van Rompaey

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Watch and listen here to the first episode of the PIPA Podcast with Karlo Van Rompaey (Sint-Truiden, BE) after his unlikely top season with 4 national wins including 3 x 1st AND 2nd.The 2023 racing season had 2 faces, a warm and heavy start in which the west side of the country managed to take advantage of all opportunities on the national races. Then a second part in which the wind turned and suddenly put the east side of Belgium in the advantage. Absolutely outstanding in this second part of the national racing season was Karlo Van Rompaey. With 4 national wins in 3 weeks time of which 3 x 1+2 national, Karlo was the big winner. Now that the pigeons have entered the molt, we got Karlo up to Knesselare as our first guest in the brand new PIPA Podcast. We talk in this first episode about anticipation, realism, periodization, setting your attack at the right time, the greater importance of flight hours compared to distance, the usefulness of a leaflet with vaccinations and much more.

The podcast is also available on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/bxSY4
More info: www.pipa.be

I will bring you real pigeons My grandfather always immediately said. No, that pigeon is not going away First build something around that name after your son name after my son yes, and it’s not called Porsche his name is Daan. Daan Porsche but Daan is actually his name,

And last name Porsche. April and May are not interesting to me I started training them all together at the beginning of February Just like young Pigeons. I never did it like this before. I don’t know how it would turn out. Anticipating, that’s the most important word.

Yes, that’s the most important thing in modern pigeon racing. That has become very important in the sport today. That is like an attack in cycling. You can’t attack five times, you have to go on the right moment. Choose the right time to leave the rest and try to keep them behind you.

Some choose 2 weeks, you say 3-5 weeks Is there any logic in that? The logic that it’s on the leaflet… I haven’t read that yet. Hello Karlo welcome to this first episode of the PIPA podcast. I’m going to start right away with some short opening questions.

If you could choose which of the two would you choose the 2015 season or The season 2023? That is already a special choice… two special seasons, 2015 I won Bourges twice in one season. is of course very unique but I think what happened this year is still

More special so then maybe I would still go for that, although I always dreamt about Bourges, Bourges… But I think if I really have to choose it’s this year. Yes. Three times in a row. Yes and three times first and second National,

Four National winners so it is so unique that it will be this year. Yes a difficult choice… and how would you describe your 2023 season in 3 words? Unique, unexpected and at the end stressful. That’s clear! … and which arrival of a race will you remember

Most? Of this year…the first and second national Aurillac that was actually the most emotional one. The most special, the rest is all extra but I think that’s it. The most special thing was, everything came together there. I also won with a grandchild of Hatrick and Prima Dora in

Combination with the joint breeding PEC. Everything came together in one day so that was very unique. The news of the auction of Pipa Elite Center is now well known, all birds of 2021 and older are getting

Sold. If you could get to choose one pigeon from the whole package, which one would you choose? Yeah, I think pigeons, where…ok they are all proven of course, but the one where we have many different lines together, then I think of Maurice

There is also Hattrick in there. There are already grandchildren of children of those National winners that have given good descendants I think that is unique and that pigeon it looks so special to me too. + So Maurice… you would choose Maurice.

I don’t know the whole list yet of course, there are many which I would choose but so and also, your own bond then that is also there everything of the PEC story… There is Porsche in it, also Hattrick a little bit of my input. It’s won at Sebastien, then the children raced

Well for Pascal and for me. So that’s kind of everything together in that one pigeon. + Beautiful. And then, are you happy that the season is over or should it have . lasted longer? No even with the young birds it was already

Too much to bear. It’s really… you don’t choose to suddenly eh yes That’s not in the plan, is it? Suddenly experiencing that month of July everything ends up on you and that certainly puts a lot of stress on your every day life.

Everything continues with our business and stuff so there was a lot of things going on, while the races were still underway. It was also which pigeon is competing for ace pigeon? Will we race it again? Are we still going to take the risk

Everything came together in July. I am very happy that I experienced that. Yes but after that., in August, it was just a matter of learning the youngsters and it it’s time for it to be over. The pressure and the stress… um yeah it’s nowadays it’s also a mental matter…

Like in every sport. +That was the reason you also used the word stressful? Yes, towards the end, isn’t it? It’s also from everything that I say correctly which pigeons are we still going to play? Will we take that risk? They are still in the running for ace pigeon titles

Are we going to do that. Or we don’t do that? Looking at the race lines and the pigeons eh See if it will still work. Or it can’t work anymore so it’s a lot then… +Yes, but it is easier to do this all after

A successful period? Yes but once it’s over, it’s realy over Yes, then it’s time to go back, decompress and then it really has to be done. Working back to a next thing. + Yes it’s top sports. Yes it really is.

Yes I told it to a few people. It’s mental, just keep going on. Also the weeks after that… Aurillac, I win first and second the week afterwards Libourne, normally we play about 800 km in Limburg, conditions were good Yes or no, then make a decision so that is all extra stre

But it’s also nice to experience when you see you made the right decisions. +It’s like Sjoerd says, it’s fulfilling, that is also fuel to go on then. Yes of course. +Thank you! There are three of us here today for this first PIPA Podcast. Maybe we can introduce ourselves

To the audience Sjoerd? Yes I will start eh my name is Sjoerd Lei I am a Dutch fancier I work for sales already quite a few years actually and I started here as a writer, I think that’s where we also first got to know each other, so I got a job

At PIPA. Then I became a Supply agent which means that you actually help the Dutch fanciers with the pigeons to be auctioned on PIPA and also go looking for the good pigeons and at some point Nikolaas asked me to lead

The sales departement together with Thomas. And yes that is what I still do now. I think about 3.5 years, I started at 1 April I think 2020 then um so yeah that’s… that’s my

Working part, I live in Heerenveen, together with my partner Diane and son Ivar? We’re expecting a second child. So Maybe I will be leaving this podcast but I don’t expect that. I have had pigeons since I was 8 years old then I came into the pigeon loft together with my father and I

I’m now 30, so I’ve been going for a while in pigeon racing I think something. Yes, I do know the Dutch market better than the Belgian of course. But that’s what I’m here for too to learn a little bit of you today Karlo. My greatest success is

An NPO victory in 2015. So if I have to choose between a season then I’d choose for 2015 I think. Right now I’m playing even with pigeons and eh yes that is going pretty good. Sometimes yes, sometimes no, but yes I do my best. +I am Jorgi

Ferrari I also work for PIPA since 2018. I work in the editorial office. Together with my editorial colleagues we take care of the editorial website. Those are the reports, ensure that the translations are there, in the racing season we follow the National and international races.

I am also a pigeon fancier myself I think since about 2005 that I started with it, so for quite a while now. Since we are all talking about what’s our best season… then I choose 2017 because I won National Zone Brive and raced also very good on some Provincial races that year.

I’m married to Nathalie and we have two children Luiz 10 years old and Eliza 8. And besides all that I’m quite interested in sports and that is rather broadly… football cycling and athletics. I also love running and do it very often, I really like to do that more and more in recent years.

I think that’s pretty much it… Actually you’re the Kipchoge from PIPA? Haha, from PIPA, then maybe yes… But you run really fast you won’t say it yourself, but you really can run fast? Let’s say it always gets better and better. Yes, I’m still on the rise So is the achievement of Usain Bolt

Better or that of Kipchoge? That’s a good question but yes I think Kipchoge It’s very strong that he has been doing that for so many years now already. Because a marathon is realy very exhausting. That you are actually the best for many years in a row,

Even now again winning the Berlin marathon that is really, chic, eh, that one too mentally you can handle that because you have to suffer for it. You have to be training all the time. Those men are in Kenya to run all day as a matter of speaking.

They are doing runs of 30 km then the day afterwards they do it again. Their week averages is huge. Of course Usain Bolt is also great… fantastic but that’s short and explosive and also that career I think is also shorter than Kipchoge.

Which is also logical for marathon runners I think they can have longer careers. Sprint, yes it is really about the muscle fibers. The marathon that is like with pigeons, it’s about endurance that is having endurance, it means having experience, yes

That all counts… Karlo, your turn. Karlo Van Rompaey, born and raised in Sint-Truiden I still live in my parental house I had taken over the house um I married to Ines van Krombrugge in 1979 we have a son, Daan, aged 12 together with Ines bought my parental home.

In 2010 we started a veterinary practice, we are both vets. We have one practice cats dogs that mainly Ines , I’ll say runs, but I do actually a lot behind the scenes, like the surgery and all the paperwork That has all grown a bit

Over the years and beyond Of course, I ‘m a pigeon fancier myself for all my life to me it comes from my grandfather. He lived more than an hour away driving in Schriek, South of Antwerp.

I only came there occasionally but that’s … from as long as I can remember from 4-5 years old I came on the lofts there. but that was really during the holidays. From 1990 when I was 11, I am a member of the pigeon association and I am racing for myself.

I first started with some cashier pigeons afterwards the real ones. Racing pigeons have come. Someday my grandfather said: I wil bring you some real pigeons. And from then on yes is the evolution until today in pigeon racing. It just happens with trial and error the advantage of having to do it yourself.

Having someone to fall back on but not really anyone who comes and says: “This is how you should do it.” You can do a a little bit yourself eh go ahead I think +Yes it’s still the best way to learn it yourself Yes, I learned a lot already

Experienced it myself. My grandfather was a real short distance racer and I am then now yes, one day long distance. Furthermore, I am also very interested in everything about sport. +Yes. I played football myself until I was 24 graduated as a veterinarian and I didn’t dare to do the combination anymore

Due to injuries and so on. The risk of that. But so, yes everything falls a bit together I see that often with pigeon enthusiasts that they’re also interested in other sports eh hm. +Yes, yes But someone from Belgium is automatically interested in cycling yes or not? Yes, indeed, I think

Also yes, that is spoon-fed motivated like they say yes. That’s how it is that. Yes I think there are a lot of comparisons that can be drawn with pigeon racing and cycling… Focussing towards a period hm hm and for me cycling, for example, was something what interests me immensely is that yes

Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, those weeks of the year then I really am busy with it. And even more so in the past when I was small um and that’s how I actually see it also pigeon racing classics like Bourges and the like. That always appealed to me, I have

Always lived for it and eh yes that is… I’ve also succeeded a few times, yes. +Yes, that name Bourges does have an aura, it remains a race that sparks the imagination. If you can win it like you did…

I had that idea of it too… You have that iconic picture, a family portrait of Houben Yes with all those uh yes people that came to see when Bourges arrived, right? The whole street is full of people. That speaks for itself. I really like it, yes.

+And in 2015 was with Hattrick then I think yes? -2005 is my first time I won Bourges then I had three old pigeons in the race eh with Jos, named after my grandfather and then yes in 2015. In May, the first Bourges of the season, I won

Bourges with Prima Dora with the old ones then. And then afterwards in August with Hattrick. But he was the fastest of 60,000 pigeons yes. Back then of course that was the third time I won Bourges, that is very unique. +Yes, yes, for sure! And then

Was yes and if you look back now it turned out Hattrick is also a top breeder. And during that period… because if you then as a national winner…you also know then certainly there is interest in an immediate sale

Of that pigeon. In 2005 I didn’t do it not immediately because I really do… As a pigeon fancier I always think yes, okay it suddenly happens to you, yes, everyone wants the pigeon. Or better everyone who is interested in it wants that pigeon. They’ll make your head

A bit crazy when I was just graduated for a year. Am I going to sell that pigeon or not? That just takes some deliberation then I chose to build something around that pigeon. Finally it was sold after four years because, yes that pigeon

Also gets older of course. You also have a family, a business. It also has a worth in the end, right? And even more so these days. But I had that experience in 2005 because in 2015 it surprised me again and with Hattrick it was actually extreme.

Because that was the third time and now against 60,000 pigeons he was the fastest of them all. There was a lot of interest back then, but I always immediately said: “No, that pigeon is not going away, I will build something on that one first”. Of course the years pass by, 2018

Came up… uh busy here in the vet practice, it all is a lot to handle um and it’s been already all over my career of the pigeons… always eh deliberating, “How can I do that sport, do this hobby. How can I be ambitious

And win something but still be able to do it and combine it with everything else.” First studies then starting a practice, family and everything that comes with it. It was always searching and in 2018 I had… at a certain moment I had so many children and and relatives of Hattrick.

It all became a bit much and then again want to play well and then there was a proposal from PIPA, to sell the pigeons, but then I didn’t want to sell everything and that’s how the story with PEC came about, to play with

Their pigeons. They were still looking for someone to play with PEC pigeons And then I spoke with them. I say: “Okay I want to consider it.” Then there was an auction of all my pigeons in 2018. All the older pigeons. But I said I wanted

To keep racing, so not everything goes away, I’m not starting from scratch and I wanted the Hattrick line to be processed in PEC and Nikolaas liked that. and I think that he has no regrets about it in the meantime so I always try that way

Some deliberation that I have to do feel good about it But that it is still feasible, and also to have an ambition and sometimes being able to make it happen indeed and Maurice is of course one of your furthest from your Pigeons then

Of course, that’s why it’s really like this together, isn’t it? Yes, but that is also the father of Porche II if I’m right, so the father of this year’s national winner

For me too, that is indeed a National winner himself, a National winner of him at Sebastien. + Maybe good to mention that at the moment there are three lofts playing with pigeons from PEC that is Sebastien Cassaert,

Pascal Ariën and Karlo himself indeed yes. Yes yes that’s right. And if you were to choose a pigeon from the auction that comes from your own racing team, because your racing pigeons too up to and including 2021 are sold. Yes, the most special one will be…

Yes you have Pascal that was first National Ace Pigeon 2 years ago, but I think 801: Daan Porsche is even more exceptional because he has won as a yearling sixth National Bourges. In 2022 he became first provincial ace pigeon long distance and was

3 times in the first 10 provincial, but then yes it wasn’t really something for Limburg regarding the National results. And then I have raced that pigeon again this year, and he wins Aurillac national + Yes, yes. -With a few more great results.

So that must be the best that was on my loft that will be in the auction The 801… +Named after your son. -Yes, named after my son yes of course yes. + And he’s not called Porsche, he’s called Daan. So ‘Daan Porsche’ but Daan is the

Name actually with his last name Porsche. + Beautiful beautiful. That is indeed coming all beautiful together -Yes, it really was unique. + That’s nice to hear, isn’t it? There is a plan to do it this way in 2018 but that it will work, PEC, Hattrick,…

Everything coming all together that’s very beautiful, -Yes +And can you tell me something… because you just said… me I also follow cycling and especially the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix are very interesting because there you also have that periodization

And you also see that with pigeons. How do you do that? Yes, realy focussing on some races… I think it’s mainly in the years it has grown. In the past it used to be like: the season

Started in April and you want to be there immediately, participate and win immediately with your pigeons. It was already panic if there was no first one won by the end of April. But in the meantime it evolved in my head… Okay, we’re going to try, right? I’m not saying that

That will always work, but to get that beautiful classic national races to be top yes. Then you have to put other things aside and then you aren’t allowed to go and focus on April – May where there is none of these classics aren’t they? That’s now a

Preparation period. Hmm um and that’s how I try to focus towards certain periods. I think that’s the same with my young pigeons too, But in recent years, I don’t have the energy anymore to do it also with the young birds. But I hope it will also work again, that you

Can really focus. Sometimes I hear, fanciers that visit my vet practice, Early in June they say, when there was a bad race with the Young birds then there were two or three races… ‘My best young birds is a already lost’…

But I don’t know … early June or you can already talk of ‘a best pigeon’ at that moment. With me the young birds are still… just yes just learning that is. They’re all equal and we’ll see. Yes one good race doesn’t make them the best.

I don’t think you can actually know it yet at that moment. I always say a young pigeon that has already achieved something Okay, he can do it, but it isn’t because a young pigeon has not yet done something remarkable, that later it can not be a top pigeon.

There are so many aspects that are important to make a pigeon win against thousands of pigeons that everything must be right from start to finish. Your pigeons have to be ready for that too. Eh, that’s not possible at any moment of the year. I’m already thinking about

2025… if I pair up the late young birds we bred just now I will have late breds of them next year and if I learn them well by 2025 it might be top yearlings. Yes, I am already there in my

Mind, it won’t always come true that way But that’s where I’m already at now. +It shows that you are on the long term a real ‘loft manager’ and not just now thinking about the next upcoming race or the the next season, but also the longer term.

I’m constantly thinking about the pigeon sport… + And that preparation that you are talking about When you say April and May those are only preparation weeks for me. Then you also temper your pigeons till the important period. How do you do that?

Last year was a unique year, wasn’t it? What happened… normally I always learn my youngters well. At least one national race. In 2022 however it didn’t happen. My young pigeons were learned very fast up to 300 km.

So I knew for 2023 I can’t be top with my yearlings in the beginning of the season. Against yearlings with a lot of experience already as a youngster. That was not the case for me. So in the winter I already decided to let all the yearling pigeons

Together on the loft, because I play on total widowhood, to let all pigeons sit together. While they couldn’t sit in their own container. Then turned the button and said “I’m playing my yearlings next year as youngsters.” I just keep everything quiet April and May don’t interest me.

I started letting them out all together at the beginning of February like young Pigeons… I never did it like this. I was not sure what that was going to be, and me I knew I was going to learn them properly myself in March and April and then when some

Selection was made. Because of course I knew there will be a lot of dropouts anyway, because there was no selection as youngsters. I’m sure that the moment that group is up and running, I will see what the situation is like. Will it be an extreme summer then we go there quietly,

If it’s not too bad then we’ll go to the National races at some point. S So April – May was,So the yes East wind, warm weather. That didn’t look right. So the switch is turned again… Okay, I’ll keep them quiet. I let them race 300 – 400 km every time.

Also in June, not a single National race yet, against my nature. because I would always do that. Yes, but I thought I decided it like this in spring to do it this way. It’s not the right situation to go to national races already with those pigeons anyway.

+Even Bourges? -Even Bourges passed … I only raced it with some old pigeons. I let it go. Thinking in the summer those pigeons will be better, will be ready to go and then we’ll see what the circumstances are. Now so June was passing… It remained weather like that

And then again I thought, okay, we’re going to work towards next year with that group of yearlings. I saw that there were some top pigeons amongst them. We’re going to make sure they raced a few national races and that next year…

Yes, I have a super group of old birds in ’24. But ok it’s already history now… what is what happened then? I kept them on the middle distance and I thought I’d go for the period Bourges II, Chateauroux, Tulle if they’re still able to fly, that’s okay.

Even it’s a bit more difficult… what’s left of it is going to be a super group of old birds. Early July, the week that the first Limoges for yearlings comes, the weather turns, everything looked a bit less hard and then I just anticipated and said OK

What will summer bring? Now it’s good and then the whole group went for the first time in their lives, to a national race which I have never done before. I immediately won third and fourth National from Limoges.

The next week it was back hotter. My principle before was, they had to fly they go to a national race again, but of course that’s ok for the yearlings that were on time… but that was the first national race for them so that group had definitely been shaken up.

Some would have come later. So the week afterwards: there was no national race of that distance… hm hm What was I going to do?Okay, we’re going to gamble, um, I didn’t play that weekend what I would never do… Got up in the weekend at 6 am myself. Took the whole group

For a toss of 70 km. Separated everything in the afternoon and then the three weeks came. Yes, of course I couldn’t have known that it was going to be like that, but again it turned out superior and I think

There some difference was made, unconsciously, with a fresh group, yet experienced well flown in but not broken yet +Still fresh enough. -And yes, not really motivated in the start. None had a nest not together just like that,

Like youngsters. +A fresh group with all possible motivation still in your pocket. Yes, and then all conditions were super none too rough flights that you can do week after week. So that’s how it went this year next year probably that won’t

Work because I haven’t such a group of yearlings now so then we go again and anticipate otherwise… but maybe next year at the end of May everything will be perfect and then we’ll do it then. +You can go and race again on Bourges. We will see …

+Anticipating, I think that’s the most important thing. -That really is something in modern pigeon racing. You roughly have to know what you want. And I always say if you want to play nationals, try to be the best in your area. Yes and if

Then everything is ok at one moment, you’re there also on National level. Yes, that’s it, first make sure your the best in your region Yes, be the best in your region first and then try to see further. It’s important… don’t have unrealistic expectations because I really am a

Realist. So I know yes okay what is not possible that’s not possible, right? No, but if it matters it’s like a breakaway in cycling, you can’t attack five times, you have to go on the right time and and yes try to leave the rest behind.

Yes, nice, I think, yes, that’s also an answer to your question about periodization. +Yes certainly. – And then know that great when you also feel it yes, now it’s actually the right moment. We’re going a little earlier as planned. Check and overthink it again every week.

See how the pigeons arrive. A cyclist will also sometimes look at the stage profile “I can go there.” And then they sometimes they ask the winner after the race it was your feeling or was this planned to attack there? Yes, no, then he also says

He feels it in the race. And I think it will be like this more and more in pigeon racing because that’s how it all works. The weather conditions are also… I think it has changed in last years

Still everyone will notice. +It will be more extreme -Yes, what you said April May June eh it was actually every week the same Eastwind very hot that period … also very tough races you chose the middle distance, I actually also chose that personally I did this last year with my yearlings too.

Yes, I think now I’m happy I did so. Also not v Also not very experienced and you can realy ‘destroy’them in such circumstances. Then the wind turns yes then Limburg finally comes shall we say, eh, especially eh National Yes, I think , I think so

Personally and as a Belgian fancier maybe for Sjoerd, that’s more difficult to experience himself, because he plays in the Netherlands. Belgium eh if we have an easterly wind yes then of course East and West Flanders have that advantage. No problem,

Until further notice, but then we’ll see that those same races in Antwerp and Limburg are completely different, isn’t it? The smoothness of arrival, the race time that it all becomes much longer much more difficult. And that is something special I find the last few years particularly striking which fanciers also need to

Anticipate in Antwerp and Limburg. I can imagine that’s a bit frustrating. In that way that I read that on social media as well from fanciers over there. “Yes, no chance, yes you also want to participate nationally or

Definitely be in the first 100 – 150 national, but that’s actually already impossible at that moment. +Yes that’s how it is. -How do you experience this in Limburg? There may be frustrations, but yes It is what it is…

Now I have also experienced the other thing so either it is everything or it’s nothing… Definitely in a far cry of Belgium But Belgium is like that, the wind will determine where the leading pigeons are yes, realism is necessary you have, but I still think you can’t

Blow up the national game because the whole world is watching that and like you win because -I’m not the only one who has won Nationally- that surely does something for your career as a pigeon fancier. You experience that too Yes, that is fantastic to be involved with winning against so many pigeons.

But yes I say I am a realist. It is what it is. You should try to be the best in your region and at that moment if everything is going well nationally too yo can achieve something. But for now,

I don’t think that we should be negative about it. That’s not necessary, but it is true that Sometimes they make adjustments, but they have to realize that it is different for the other side of the country. So if there is an easterly wind and it is warm

The races I play are especially hard for the pigeons because we can too Compare well with Sebastien (Casaert) where you live then keep it close. There are races was in the early years Bourges that Sebastien sends me

I have 80 of my pigeons at home. But in entire Limburg at that time four or five pigeons of a few thousand are at home but that also means that on that day you will have your Pigeons fly much longer. Yes you do actually have no National results

But okay that’s the wind hm but to the Next week we now have Pigeons also flew longer and the recovery If you go then we will talk about it flights of 6,700 km and you have that two three weeks apart hm hm actually

It then comes down to being Eastern again in Limburg you Duiven as one east Flemish or west Flemish pigeon three times without has flown in time those Limburg pigeons already there four flown Yes, yes, and tried with those same pigeons for a whole year compete so that’s very difficult It

Difference is if it is a West wind or Southwest wind is then everything is covered limbur or Brabant but then we have the East Flemish Duiven or West Flemish Duiven a little less apart because then usually rainy is high speeds

So they don’t have a nice National one Result But okay, those pigeons don’t have so heavy, so that’s also one big difference and that’s why I have that too but yes by experiencing it yourself and to think about it I don’t look at it anymore

Distances that the Pigeons fly but to the hours that the Pigeons fly one flight of 500 km with East in Northeast 30 degrees is much heavier than in libourne which I play the week after orak hm with the same pigeons at 1500 me Yes, that one

It doesn’t click for many people yet in hm hm I am this year what I used to be never did I explained it correctly of half found 400 km at once to Limos but went for Limburgse Duiven west-southwest wind at 15 1600 me that is

Much less extreme than I go to one Boers go with an eastern wind from the Ribo for I speak for Limburgse Duiven yes what I did two years ago with one group that was doing well at half found it running again when i think

That in 2021 was at the end of May the week for Boers it turned to dribble in front east wind then I basketed everything bourch in Limburg a reasonable result only made 1/3 of the Pigeons in the evening not at home h and then your whole group is yes

To the buttons then you have so much more work so yes it speaks for and er for people still imagine that you week after week 6 700 km she just plays shouldn’t look at those distances a pigeon that comes home from 700 on time

Km with light weather flew 8 hours h a pigeon that misses on argenton with heavy again and the following week at Bourch basketed actually suffered more h so that’s a wrong view and there so many questions are asked about it

But you also see that more is more Playing is done week after week that’s the only explanation You shouldn’t look at the distances you have to look to the flying hours h and that’s where I want to go suddenly they actually add it

Than a few years ago for the National long distance ace pigeon an extra line added the Pigeon must at least have flown libourne sojak or Kor Yes That’s right, but actually that’s what I’m going to do explained 801 my dear pigeon that

Flew first provincial last year Ace pigeon, so Daan is the orak this year wins who flies first last year provincial ace pigeon Limburg who stood up three flights 11th National best pigeon But there was no libourne or soyak or

So at the beginning of August I had to decide whether to go with my best pigeon was already the 11th best in Belgium and that one several times for an hour or so had flown longer than the Pigeons in front of him were what I have right

Explained then I had to decide with I’m still going for one of my best pigeons national kbdb ace pigeon in one dayget started August that the weather was going to be hot and that the pigeons from Libourne and Limburg weren’t going to get home then I have that

If not then I have decided I will not do that I choose that pigeon. I’m not going to do that I will do that kbdb possibly that title which was actually not feasible that moment I’m going to leave that out this year that pigeon will fly back supper and

It was the winner of that first Oak National been disrespectful of last year’s year before So when he got up 11th three flights but not one of those heavy flights because to say that is the 11th best in Belgium Hm I don’t think so

I don’t think pigeon deserved that for sure h I think that’s a strange view of to say It must be that distance this year there were those farmers for Limburg it was an 8-hour flight Everything was with us Yes, I think I think

That’s not necessary but that’s what it is probably came Yes by I know not those discussions on social media Me I don’t know about that myself where did that come from, yes I know No, but it is there and I think so

They are not allowed to see You at that distance has to take risks with pigeons another one flee more while they already have it yes I don’t think that’s necessary at all Hm that is no dishonor to a pigeon that has no Has flown 750 km or 800 is perfect

The best pigeon in Belgium for the long distance are at the Olympiad of the world best pigeon has been pulled out in a number of cases kilometers I think that’s something would be more appropriate than the flight name eh eh kagor yes what is kagor

At the border with France or at the border with the Netherlands, that is also one other certainly flees into that one circumstances Yes maybe that’s for sure a difference but again to the looking away That’s something that’s wrong

Yes, there is the weight of one in our heads also flees to animal welfare because I also sit in meetings with vets and stuff and I hear that animal welfare is very alert to and rightly how the flights go, but we shouldn’t look Oh he has Barcelona walked or it flies two

Weeks in a row 750 km no Under which under circumstances it flies like that two weeks after one 750 flies and it does It takes 8 hours. Yes, that is not harder certainly not than an Argenton with with 30 gren and headwind Yes, so that is

Totally wrong view in my opinion okay but what you are saying is correct that of course you don’t want the nationals abolishing that is of course a charm I got you there and that’s where the whole world to forever and you have to

And the northerners are the neighbors always very jealous of the Belgians because we have counted one National911 00:36:01,480 –> 00:36:06,040 flight and that can never really be fair expired because of course the length of the Netherlands is many times larger than

Belgium is many times a lot bigger than that Belgium would be a good place for us then can advocate for North and South for example, but that’s a big one other discussion and you told them then uh that you play your Duiven É Boer and

That a third party was not at home at the same time day and that the team is also put together What do you do within the first one? few days to get it back on track get Yes the important thing there is that is also an evolution of the latter

Years that you have a good foundation for Duiven so have from February February March I really have to lay a foundation that those pigeons can do it every week be played once that that then on that farmer then they have February

March April May already flown and end of May If that happened then, they already have one of those basis that you actually have to choose for rest eat yes and trust that You have to raise your pigeons again of course itself as an animal eh as

Pigeon fancier can see eh or your pigeons being ready again, it is not the purpose of returning on Monday to have them train at home for an hour have thus imposed a foundation that must regain confidence, gain energy so then the food rest Maybe is one short flight to see which one

Flight there will return the following weekend Eastern wind Eastern wind and and and give a national release again then yes That’s just suicide then, isn’t it? so um then we’ll look at a short flight the Pigeons themselves are going to patch it up

Arrived late, yes, leave it at home for a week then it is really the pigeon fancier who is the one Team has to know and his team has to be ready because there are also people who Not in February, we still have time and a few quick walks in March

Only start training in a week skip it and if they get a burp like that yes, those pigeons. That takes much longer here that they are on top of it, right? So they can can handle a bad flight if you then gives them time, but if the basics are not

Well it is much clearer than anywhere else huh Yes The Narrow base is eh but that is always with Sport is what I’ll say later very Many, you see, you see the same thing Actually, they also go on an internship in the winter already with the entire Ploeg and there

A first foundation is already being laid for then only uh to go into competition in in practice h February March eh then there are no flights how do you start there to lay the foundation, that’s at home, eh That’s at home, isn’t it, but yes

Experience I think most people do if you start to let out in Dan have pigeonsn then the way of yourself too hm hm to train hard already Oh yes That’s right and then from the end of March if it is is good or go at the beginning of April itself

So leave rags and then begin give in, but without ambition. In the past was there still ambition to let it all go together? rush for the flight and everything had to be done it just had to have good results but that’s just recording people for food

Flies come home when it’s not heavy went to do some cleaning myself unload um that won’t happen either, I think everyone starts as a speed player That’s what’s in it, isn’t it? And that’s what it is in and think that if you want then you found it difficult or even difficult

That actually has to be behind you gradually Leaving peats is not the movement either sweet That’s real Yes you really should can impose if you have that ambition Of course, if you want speed play in April or you want to be good

First small middle distance races Yes then you have to start in a different way, right? Yes, the classification of your season is it That’s how it is classified. Every sport is like that

So You have to choose yes yes yes and if you have it everyone wants to participate, you want everything to be good to participate, you already have to spend a lot of time and money have pens then you will plow with it

Have to work, right? Yes, yes, I think so it is also clear that the championships over an entire year be played that only that is possible with a lot of pigeons thick as several people during the day work is so stressful, isn’t it? already came to the conclusion that you did

Season the bobbin is off but there everyone does too, which is something that I don’t I have great ambition, my ambition is in the pigeon sport with the time I have Pigeons that I have available psc Yes a few times at a national event

Flight hope to be good yes and yes if it all clicks well somewhere ace pigeon but all other championships then I am totally one and two I am not concerned with that at all. No, I don’t want that don’t impose that pressure to have to

Have those points, I don’t look at that No I think it is very important that you do that too says because it heard like people who even young people like us who do that anyway a little go the way that lose one even starting to dread it a bit

Thinking about stopping that that’s a whole good typ is Yes Yes put one clear goal that is achievable is realistic and try that too to achieve eh in the circumstances that there are because they also said that tide

Have it sometimes eh it can’t sometimes it is the wind is not right, even though Yes then It’s just that everything has to click, voilà yes, I really have to come along like this year with you Ja in that period everything eh Actually should the national should actually be a

Extra are the Christmas on the cake ever in his life or several times or once get a good result, but you can according to Don’t get me started now here I go They are at the top nationally every week this is not possible in Belgium, but it is

Important I think we will in the future go and have a look and see that everyone is in his region has a game. Does h have that remains interesting Because of course in Limburg will get you through that FR ations Yes there are Other flights

Are played and that those numbers are declining enormously huh That is indeed a Yes because I had a goal in recent years, so eh Why are you suddenly asking like this now? National wins like that but since I think 17

Or something like that every year I have first or second eh had provincial ace pigeon on that one distances last year 2022 I have three Won provincial flights on that one distances to that once while many others have said we

We’re not going to do that anymore we’ll do more, we’ll play differently, but okay yes, now I had a fantastic group Yes you get the Duiven loft selected, so that is indeed one result and that can be done very quickly at TW Dr

You can do that every year if you want to do it very quickly ranges and conditions are not there then of course you will get it you don’t feel like doing that anymore and that you do that

Stops But you were allowed to stop But you wasn’t allowed to give up You can quit the intention to get better afterwards but if you give up then that’s the end Yes, then there is no chance anymore things more eh Yes we Z also vet eh

If you look at the last few years certain diseases that are now suddenly common more common than in your early years are not new diseases The only thing I have seen it as new is a rotavirus and a vaccine against it

Has come, isn’t it? The story we used to have of young pigeons had disease adenovirus everything turned out to be adenovirus stung, it is clear now vaccinate against rotavirus that those problems are still very much in print that is certainly something that comes with it that has been resolved well with that one

Of course we will continue with those vaccines the standard eh diseases there but I think that it has become one difference many more pigeons are kept per loft In the past you had someone with a tribe Pigeons who was strict about that and that one

Group of 30 40 youngsters Had either they caught on and it was great, wasn’t it? either Yes, those were some problems or was The group has been supplemented now yes you will breed 100 150 young darken dark dullhuh That’s the

Always more and more in recent years Yes, there is much more waste there and much more failure hm then I also have eh enthusiasts who can’t get it on the reels in one years and say that in a certain moment Yes, but I always have those Pigeons again

I suggest he doesn’t recover let them do an autopsy and see it there we always think of it that way underlying issues such as mold stickers on air bags, erm, here or there parus comes up without it that was very clear in the season only Yes, you didn’t see that those Pigeons

That took shape. And that was something Chronis and those Pigeons, yes, you know them too cure or and then they are back for a while better and then some up and down never actually go back to the top those Pigeons and I think Pigeons those those

Have experienced such things that you have them you will never be able to get to the top again selection, especially with that story of 100 hey Let’s say you have 100 boy Then you should try there 10 per accessible Pigeons to be collected

Hmm someone who starts with 100 youngsters and which really just plays the program he is still with me at the end of the ride 13 of the Pigeons yes maybe you the the best way to vaccinate eh rota so parix rota the combination parix rota

End substance anyway twice is the highest degree of protection and when do you start then and then and when they actually buckled they are still a bit below protection of the parent hey, so that’s maternal immunity

It has to drop as you get older of 5 Z weeks but of course it has to be done groups work like five weeks old age have your group vaccinate and a good month later, three more until VI weeks later

Repeat a period and in between of 3 to VI we have an interval huh. That’s one interval eh and yes some people choose too weeks you say 3 to 5 weeks that logic it was logical that it was on the leaflet I’ve never read that, okay

No so um no that’s just because you then uh your peak You need a boost and this must be done between three and 5 weeks after the first vaccination takes place. Okay, yes What I am not in favor of is vaccination perfect if you can withstand everything

Only exists Okay, but sometimes it is something a lot everyone wants against all those youngsters lots of vaccinations there are vaccines with an oil base and then you come indeed with those schedules every 14 days then I have already seen that there are Pigeons

So you’re already going to have such a big dip if I think you have something with young pigeons must do is rota paramiko twice right vaccinate against smallpox Then you are already standing very far Yes and then you also have to deal with that1181 00:46:04,400 –> 00:46:07,440 interval then those are those Pigeons

Recovered that body must be put on it respond to that vaccination but you don’t like those pigeons either completely in depth, right? No, no That’s right. And would you then provide an additional vaccination? then choose parati for the Young thumb parati is a whole special story because all the others

Vaccines all against viruses ready is salmonella bacteria when you are well vaccinates against a virus, right? smallpox and your pigeon comes in afterwards contact with a smallpox virus or or with parix virus will not make that pigeon sick because it has antibodies made with salmonella that um

Vaccination so Para tyus goes you actually get more of a story that your pigeon that has ever been in contact with it come, it will be a little stronger to cure those symptoms be less pronounced but it is not so I vaccinated my Colonie against Para tyus, uh Para tyus comes in

The loft that all those pigeons be protected and that it will not catch on, so that’s a bit doubly so I always choose lofts where Para tyus is I’ve certainly been vaccinated too, right? But that is in a story of a management it

The most important thing is those people actually the Pigeons that are really sick erad Keeren so get rid of it because that is possible if they recover, carriers can are they actually within the maintain a colony at the moment of upsurge it is important with an antibiotic too

Work because it is a bacterium That killing will ensure that your pigeon does not extreme symptoms, but that is possible not parati is keeping away, so that is really weighing in on which loft of course what you get nowadays is that many lofts such as the National

Playing from different places Pigeons putting it together then that is really a big deal added value to express all that close but the idea of we vaccinate Para tyus sometimes people get your pigeon eh has utopia, autopsy shows that it does

Paratus has Yes, but he was against it vaccinated hm yes no that’s how it works not with Para tyus Yes that is different story Yes important Nuance between those different diseases yes erm, there are still some left in their own loft

Goals about I ask myself that a Zn season Yes in the short term but I have I just said that I’m also long-term short term think short term I will don’t have the group next year because yes, those Toppers are looking old

To the psc auction um i have fewer youngsters than in previous years I expect or hope for one again period to be goodbut it will maybe not so probably not as um be like last year but the goal will always be Keep what I just said on one

National flight or on beautiful flights with nice numbers of Pigeons, a few get good results if there is something of ace pigeon is a bit like that look and beyond that I actually have there no big eh Long term goals

Of course it is always the intention from there Yes to continue to enjoy it hey, so eh, that has to stay, right? hm hm yes, well looked at then I think yes um and the future of the devil’s path, any thoughts or or things

That you think yes, then we really have to I need to work on it urgently, yes, yes, I do think yes social media I’ll say it I’m sitting I don’t know that myself, but I hear it pass anyway eh hm There are two things I think one important thing is the future of

The pigeon sport we keep going less are hm hm so I think you Anyway, we’ll have to see how that goes evaluate in the future how we do that organize that that is still interesting remains both in terms of Transport in terms of flight eh

Yes numbers of Pigeons eh costs too cover to get it organized I I would think if it were a different sector that that wouldn’t be bad are like they do an audit there that tells you how it now stands with how many enthusiasts

If only we were in that age category how many lovers of that one age category Who plays what if we continue the downward trend because that it just comes biologically in terms of age we have no choice but to do so within 10 years

Talking about a completely different pigeon sport which region, such as the eastern region where I live where a lot It’s not time for fewer pigeons to come we are going to merge how are we going to do that do it, but that shouldn’t be tomorrow

I would like to have that calculated they say okay within 10 years I could go expect a the east side to sit there per municipality three more enthusiasts it would it’s best to be either or so or so, right there then you have to think about it

Prepare that you know for example international flights I It’s hard for me to imagine I’m speaking from Limburg experience that there are still five Basketing rooms will be at the front of 300 pigeons for an international flight to basket, but already outline that and say for example because of course a local parent

Z will say they are going to take that away here I’m a decorator, they say take that away from me but Stippel that from something like a golden handshake or so much or or involve those people in it that you say okay it goes to that that

Are the studies we are going to do in three years over bridges h must be done within a few years you ensure that you merge there in the east side the west side it might be there are some more enthusiasts maybe you can in smaller regions one more thing eh Sam

Yes, then it will look completely different D also see people preparing for what happens that they know those who are there something that an organizer can understand who has been making a rash all his life You shouldn’t take all that away, but

It’s not going to change anyway so that’s definitely something I think that should be drawn out. Yes and allowed Then don’t hold on to things that already exist 30 and 40 years Yes, fixed like borders that wind Yes we have to go there

To be honest, that’s actually not the case logical, maybe we should provinces do not dare to abandon it Just take it easy today and tomorrow There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s how it goes evolve so that’s for sure try to provide, eh? And that’s it just about a little bit for everyone

Remains interesting for some pigeons to have, right? Yes, that’s a smaller one competition anyway yes h I have it in the watched football when I played football myself so uh 25 years ago uh was in the region I played in a club where that

There is a second Club in the same municipality was yes and then that governing was never or we will never merge and now come I am there with my son who is also there plays football from 12 years old and all those clubs Either they are gone or they are

Merged, it happens anyway. Begin to talk about it now, right? And that makes it future-oriented that everyone also knows I know where I’m going to set my sights, right? fewer flights a different calendar Al those things. Plan that out and if there decorators are afraid of a flight to lose Yes prepare that

For that, it puts those people together and let them speak together how do we do that I think solving it is one thing thing as a Lover had to anticipate but now you actually say as a board also anticipate the future because ANP Yes

It will be necessary That’s one thing of of the future of pigeon racing and it secondly, how it will be organized h but then weden is an evolution and there are we actually in Yes It’s so polarizing, isn’t it? looks at it’s all De Commerce or it is no longer enjoyable for someone

With few pigeons or something like that there must also be honest in It’s just just like that, it’s an aspect pigeon racing also qu right that there is Commerce Hè in Duiven is like Duiven a lot of money go yeah Okay it’s the One that got them to it

Pays there is interest in others sectors that is also h eh um wemust live with that that is an aspect of pigeon racing should not be negative there looking at I hear Sometimes say if there so things disappear from a game or that there are fewer enthusiasts It’s De Commerce’s fault, isn’t it?

Actually I have a good think about that thought about that in the early years we started with pigeons every year the fair was in Sint-Truide-El fair Monday mentioned that was one flight arranged by the local holder In the morning everyone came into Duiven baskets, right? Everything was provided. Yes

The pigeons were taken away and we went home some went home They were there to see the Pigeons come over a flight of 70 km and everyone went back with the clock and those who were still there went there the baker is already a bit crooked provided uh cakes there were free

Prizes were awarded to the whole Café packed in the Truiden regions only h I have seen it evolve over the years Yes, we are going to basket them the day before um the free prizes dropped to one a few years ago there was someone who…

Said but there were still 10 of us, right? are still going to do it. I’ll bake one cake and now there is no question of that more of hmm so that’s all the way to 30 years away hm That has nothing to do because there is a pigeon being sold for

A lot of money that’s just the evolution of the pigeon sport, the bits of it we don’t need everything we need those two business will come together, yes commercial people who play with a lot of pigeons there I don’t think we can play against them anymore

Then for example aim for example flights in that um on every flight everyone’s 10 drawn first in one result standing, but everyone is also not free doubling because they do that here and there anyway, just set it up, that’s the basic anyone who participates in a flight from that region all 10 first

Signs show up on a rash but none free doubling because then you still raise people who choose not to participate h hm and then everyone has something to like just try to find solutions You shouldn’t be negative about that

Because it is what there is to try to do preserved and there is a lot of news going on I’m afraid I won’t be able to. No, and honestly game is also a utopia in pigeon racing You’ll never get that, it doesn’t exist so but you can try to be like that

Feed as close as possible Yes yes yes yes and me I think you should definitely go to rays and regions that really against first play against your neighbors and then go bigger and now there’s too much chance of yes, I’m going going there that weekend and then I’ll check it out

There when the wind blows like this no small go is always greater after the distances that Bart Geerings once told me and that has always stuck with me as you in your classroom first you can win then you shouldn’t dream nationally either

Has to start there first and that is that is the basis of everything Yes And before that maybe they should do that locally upgrade because now you have yes me Everyone in our region sees that too walks a bit yes to where that that

If you have a craving, you can still leave it at that there are people who might have one have a dispute in a room that doesn’t want to come or anything but with the system nowadays with the computer region represents everyone from that region

Classified on a result that must be done he hasn’t been basketed there yet, okay? a transition period, so to speak just make a score everyone of those region is one game and we keep going greater the further The flight is and that is

It also makes much more sense that you are always there takes, yes, but it’s okay Not a good idea to conclude, I think uh Carlo What topic uh would you like again in another next possibly see Pipa podcast discussed or

Which guest yes would you ask a certain question want to say yes maybe um organizers of pigeon flights I would would like to hear how they see it Because sometimes I have the feeling that some things are held back because yes everyone wants a little escape keep also adjust calendar I

I think that is very difficult for the people from the kbdb to really impose this is how we’re going to do it I would those people would like to hear how one is made flight arranged how important is that that you can keep that flight

Not working together that yields because That’s also what it’s divided about be or something but depending on the future of pigeon racing Yes, because National flights of 4000 pigeons and so on they will come with even less with the that flight will be useful in the coming years to stick to that

Play but maybe if those people their give an idea or or Yes how that goes also in terms of transport collections from flee Yes, I would like someone like that would like to hear how they see it especially for themselves in the future

I would prefer a flight with three together furnishing 20,000 pigeons than that all three a flight of 4000 pigeons and dense corpse with eyes Yes, but such a person maybe hm hm yes yes very nice approach we will definitely try to do that. Yes, fine

Eh I still want to close people who may have questions or comments always forward this to the editor @ pipa.be eh then we’ll take a look at it and also take it with you to next time eh and whoever submits a nice question also has a chance to win one giveaway

Thank you a eh t-shirt from Pipa D is Italian design yet Italian design I don’t know about that. Okay, just say yes to that may be high, they fall It’s big, isn’t it? Well, yes, they are all too large sizes indeed XXL XL I think eh

Yes okay but if anyone is interested send me ask and you will make it I still want a chance, uh, SHT and KL everywhere thank you for the long journey do in the first place but also about our eh and you we h to Carlo for the

Long distance or to me Yes you was already here h ok ok go ahead go yeah Yes indeed No, but eh also for the insights and uh yes I found it enlightening interesting so thank you You’re welcome, yes, thank you Jor for that

You excellent Good preparation because a listener doesn’t see it but there there is a very nicely typed A4 sheet for us so uh good job yeah uh went was actually from Ruben Lank Kriet colleague vet devil Liber and who eh suggested

Now for as a fellow student and there it was stated that you uh your Thesis or your had done his final work on the influence of medication on Pigeons in the row we miss a lot of sitting in the queue maybe a nice insight. Yes, that

Was about drawn pens but also in that period um with with eh somewhat influenced eru, so what’s stopping it and all that? That worked about that in another period in the Germans was there anything uh special that you remember

Remembers that after vor was No that was with Professor de Bakker as promoter that was now not special anything that was actually just yes Th Yes everything there when it was available together in one bundled the is bundled huh That was

Not really a big test Or move or something h No, I’m afraid that’s not too much pigeon happened or no that indeed qua budget then not It is wet yes good okay Thanks again and uh see you at the next PP podcast