NIPA & AROUND

BY ADIE

A CLASSIC ENCOUNTER

Emerald Classic Gathering Momentum

Having heard from hoards of people, talking all over the country about the set up, the new loft, and over-all the vibes of excitement from many who have entered their birds already, or are making plans to have them in the loft before the closing date at the end of April, I thought it time to make a call to the Ballyclare based Emerald Classic One Loft Race in County Antrim. Talking with John Boyd while I was there he expects due to the huge interest around Europe that this closing date could very well have to be stretched one further week into the first week in May to facilitate everybody. Excellent news if you ask me, and very encouraging hearing of the support from around Great Britain and Europe, including arrivals from some of the current day elite. It just shows the high regard that owner John Boyd has around the world, what has amazed me is that John has undertaken this gigantic project on his own and when you call and physically see the set up, you have to take your hat of to him. He has invested heavily with his own money and time, at least 10 hours a day spent at the Emerald Classic loft itself.

One of the many sections already filled with hopefuls, and what great order these birds are in. Time is running out for yours to be there also.

The loft measures a very resounding 140 + feet by around 18 feet wide incorporating a very sizable aviary right along the front of this amazing piece of work. I have never seen anything like it and it is truly one of these things you have to see for yourself, a money no object case for sure, and on quizzing John why he went to such exuberant levels he quite rightly added he simply wants the best conditions, support and back up infrastructure for the Emerald Classic entries. The vast amount of pigeons already in the loft looked impeccable and in resounding order, and this must be one of the biggest tasks for the owners of One Loft Races keeping the Y/B’s healthy, John has the time scaled intakes organised to the highest possible standard with the new arrivals spending a period of time in the new arrivals part of the complex where they will be treated and inspected for a number of days before getting the all clear to join the rest of the recruits. You will find disinfectant mats everywhere you go. John has incredible knowledge himself of running such events having been participating in One Loft Races around the world for the last 10 years that has seen him visit many countries and seen many set-ups, there is no one man better equipped in Northern Ireland to pull of such an event of this nature. Locally John will be assisted weekly with advice and help from one of the best veterinary teams in Northern Ireland, namely Dr F Scullion MVB, PhD, MRCVS who will be assisted with Mrs G Scullion MVB, MRCVS, both are proprietors of Veterinary Services in Ballygawley, County.Tyrone, and have supplied many fanciers in Ireland with a host of services over many years and they themselves are very honoured to be associated with this exciting new challenge.

What a loft! Costing over £32,000, it hosts the best and most up to date facilities for the Emerald Classic entries.

The loft will be managed by John himself you can ask for no better, as he knows a bit about racing I might add, up until semi-retirement from racing a few years ago to concentrate on One Loft Racing and of course his desire to one day have this type of event in Northern Ireland John was one of the most feared competitors in Section C of the Mighty NIPA without any doubt one of the biggest sections within this sizable organisation, sending many weeks between 5,000 to 7,000 pigeons. John will also be assisted with the daily duties around the loft and of course the training by his cousin Mr D B Mairs yet another name many will have remembered no fancier could get results like Bernard when he was racing, the mighty D B Mairs he was known as.

Mr Willie Reynolds (Homer) pictured with the proprietor of the Emerald Classic One Loft Race, Mr John Boyd.

The loft itself is equipped to hold 1,000 pigeons with almost that quota reached, there is still room for your entries if you are interested but you would need to be quick as time is running out, the entry forms can be found in the various pigeon weekly’s or you can go to www.pigeonnetwork.com or www.pigeonportal.com and print out your own application form where you will also find a list of rules for the event. The cost per pigeon is £125 and if your pigeon should be lost before the 1st Hot Spot race you have a choice of picking a Free replacement from the list of Venturers which will be listed along with all the entries once the loft closes on the 12th of May, this list will be found on Ian Gills www.pigeonportal.com . Alternatively you can have a free entry into next years race should you decide not to select a replacement from the list, again this is only available for pigeons lost up until the 1st Hot Spot race due to be flown on the 1st of August from a distance of around 60 miles, weather permitting of course. Where else would you get an offer like this from One-Loft Race’s. In total there will be 5 x Hot Spot races these are scheduled for the 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th of August with the furthest being 160 miles, the ultimate final race will be flown from Rosscarbery on the southern coast of Ireland on September 14th a distance of around 260 miles. Prize money will be dependant on the amount of entries and will again be published after the loft closes on the 12th of May, the anticipated prize fund is as follows :- The Hot Spot races will carry a 1st prize of £300, 2nd £250, 3rd £200, 4th £150 and 5th £100. The Ace Pigeon will be the bird with the lowest combined flying time from the 5 x  Hot Spot races, and the final race, I think you would agree this would undoubtedly make it an Ace Pigeon the owner would receive a cheque for anticipated sum of £5,000. The main race will carry prize money to the 40th position these include once again anticipated 1st £15,000, 2nd £10,000, 3rd £5,000, 4th £2,500, 5th £2,000, 6th £1,500, 7th to 10th £1,000, 11th to 20th £500, 21st to 30th £200 and 31st to 40th £150.

Mr John Boyd, Loft Manager, having one of his many daily checks over the youngsters already in the loft.

Any enquires can be made direct to John Boyd on 07799 543334 or 07789 082043 or alternatively you can email him at highbanks_lofts@hotmail.com . Most of all the enquires I have been hearing is about accommodation, John has all the details and has sought to get the best deals available from the surrounding hotels and with the Belfast International Airport less than 15 minutes away the organisers are expecting a rather large turn-out on the 14th of September where no doubt some of the most elite fanciers in Europe will be found having a glass or too of the famous Black Stuff. I am already looking forward to this long awaited event, the first of its kind for Northern Ireland and if you’re not in you can’t be expected to win.

Adie McCormick

Ireland’s Own Pigeon Auctions

Tel. 028 92 604778

www.pigeonnetwork.com

26/3/08