"With Distance in Mind"

THE 2010 BARCELONA CHALLENGE REPORT

Some 25,821 pigeons were entered in this year's Barcelona International, and they were liberated at 09-45 hours on Friday, 2nd July, 2010, into blue skies and very hot conditions. The winds en-route were given as light south or south east, turning north as the pigeons made their way towards northern France, Belgium and Holland. The weather was given as very hot for most of the route, and here at Hernicourt the air temperature reached 34c on Friday, and then followed violent thunderstorms and heavy rain, which continued into the Saturday. So birds had to contend with the excessive heat, the east winds and then storms, which inevitably meant it was going to be a very hard and difficult race, and this proved to be thecase with overall poor returns and many disappointed fanciers.Here at the Hernicourt lofts we had a number of fanciers who had come over for the weekend to see the race, and enjoy a bit of pigeon banter and a few beers. Lee and Karen Sullivan had come from Brighton, Terry Peart and John Donovan from London, Joe Murphy (pigeon scribe) from Scotland, Paul Rennison from Worthing, Brian Holland and his mate John Highley had come fromYorkshire, and a group of local French fanciers, so it was good to see everyone mixing and chatting as we waited on the pigeons arriving, but at 625 miles and with the adverse weather it proved to be a very long wait.

There were no day pigeons, and the Saturday was very overcast with rain and storms all over northern France. As the hours rolled by we realised it was going to be extremely tough for the birds, then at 17-04 hours (16-04 UK time) a 2 year old red cock bred and entered by Ian Gill of Northern Ireland, “IAN'S BOY”, dropped onto the lofts and went through the Bricon timing system to take lst open in the Barcelona Challenge. This superb cock is likely to feature well up in the International result, and is bred from Ian's old Irish stock, containing the Harkness and David Black's National winning lines, that do so well in all the major INFC distance races. So well done to Ian Gill, who has been a good supporter of the Barcelona Challenge. The arrival of Ian's pigeon lifted the spirits of the spectators, and after clocking the rubbers and then telephone verifications, the drinks began to flow. Barely had the excitement died down when at 17-32 hours a dark 2 year old hen, bred and entered by Harrison and Hull of Preston, hit the landing board, again to the excitement of all those watching. This hen contains their "Tommy" blue Jansen lines and also Betty De Bruyn of Holland, and "Narbonne Bombshell" lines. Well done to Janet and Dave. Both the first and second birds had flown hard to get home but were in good condition. Due to the weather there were no more birds recorded at the lofts that day, but on verifications it was pleasing to learn that both pigeons were likely to feature well up in the French National results and also the full International.

Sunday dawned slightly overcast but the adverse weather had cleared overnight and at 7-43 a dark hen entered by Ray McIlroy from Southampton was timed to take 3rd prize. This super 3 year old hen had taken 3rd in the 2009 Barcelona Challenge, and also featured 383rd French National from 2542 birds, and 1023/7636 International hens' result for that year. Overall she was 3800/27,669 birds in 2009. Ray was delighted when informed that his good hen had again taken a top position - well done Ray. Twelve minutes later another 2 year old hen, bred and entered by Chris and Trish Williams of Trowbridge, dropped to be clockedat 7-55, to take 4th prize and they too were delighted to hear of their bird's arrival in this very difficult race. This hen contains Louella Van Der Wegan lines and bloodlines of Mr and Mrs Howman from Cheshire.

Fifth to the loft at 8-43 was a 2 year old hen entered by Barkel Bros of Sunderland, and as many know, Sid is of course our hard working NFC Secy. The bird is a pure Jim Emerton pigeon and many will know Jim for his writings and past long distance performances. Thirteen minutes later at 8-56 a hen entered by Bernard J Smyth of Northern Ireland was clocked to record 6th position this hen is a "Van Olmen"and contains the "De Barcelona" lines, so no great surprise that it should do so well in this hard race. So well done to both Bernard and Ian Gill who have certainly shown there are some top quality pigeons in Northern Ireland, and hopefully a few more NI fanciers may now have a go.

At 9-04 a hen owned by last year's winners, Crammond and Langstaff of Fontwell came to take 7th position. This grand hen took 32nd in the event last year and came from stock purchased at Taverne/Rigole Dream Breed Lofts from "King Barcelona" lines, and is full of long distance winning lines. The next bird, owned by Owen and Wilson of Dumfries, Scotland, was clocked at 09-52 to record 9th position. This hen was bred by Andy Wilson of Locharbriggs and is inbred to "Andy's Boy", a Van Bruane cock, that won a Classic Gold award for Alasdair Muir of Dorking, a pigeon also bred by Andy in Dumfries. Andy had been unwell of late so this performance will give him a good boost, so well done to Douglas and Andy.

In 9th position and clocked at 09-52 is a three year old cock again entered by Owen and Wilson and bred by John Tyerman of Bracklesham Bay, from his old Carmichael/Kirkpatrick family. This good cock also took 9th positon in last year's Barcelona Challenge race, so a very consistent bird. BCC 74965 contains the very best of Eric Cannon and John Carmichael lines. Dam is GB03C82411 a very consistent racer that won 20th open CSCFC Pau in 2007, being one of four clockedon the winning day atJohn Tyerman's loft. Sire is 'Brackbay Star' GB 01J12021who won many good distance prizes.

In 10th position and clocked at 10-31 is a hen bred and entered by Brian Holland from Keighley in Yorkshire. Brian was here to witness his hen's arrival and was absolutely over the moon, as she recorded 4th open in last year's Barcelona challenge and was also 453rd open from 2542 birds in the French National result, and also 1023rd hens International, from 7636 overall, and 4517th from 27,669International birds.

Next bird in 11th positon was at 10-37 and was a cock bred by John and Lou McGee and entered by Jordan Moore. In 2009 this bird was 625/2542 in the French National, and 5671/27.669 birds in the full Barclelona result. The sire is from Brian Sheppard and contains his Trueman Dickens Jingles lines, and the dam is from Ian Crammond's Emiel Denys and Gyselbrecht lines, top Barcelona prize winners.

In 12th position, and clocked at 11-10 is a hen bred by John Ayling and entered by Ayling and Edwards of Fareham. The breeding is Delbar and Albie Deacon lines, and as everyone knows John Ayling is a top distance specialist, who won NFC pau in 2002, with the only bird on the day of liberation.

Top BICC flyer Mick Mitchell of Dover takes 13th position with a hen clocked at 11-41, and this bird contains the bloodlines of Fear Bros and Gunn and Cherie of Roslyn, well known SNFC flyers.

In 14th is another hen bred by Luscombe Bros and entered by Richy Elliott of Plymouth. This hen contains Patrick Bros lines and also R and J Clarkes BICC Perpignan winner.

15th prize goes to Crammond and Langstaff of Fontwell with another hen clocked at 14-22, and contains Geoff Kirkland and Jose Thone "sumo" lines. This hen won 13th position in the 2009 Barcelona Challenge. A minute later at 14-23 another hen owned and bred by Crammond and Langstaff, was timed to take 16th prize. This hen took 5th position in 2009, and was 559/2542 French National, and 1373/7636 International hens, and 5247/27669 full International. Her breeding is 100% Van Helmond, and full of Barcelona winning lines.

Next pigeon at 16-41 is owned by L & K Buddle of Dover and is in 17th position. This bird is a full brother to the bird than won 2nd open BICC Pau in 2009 for the partnership, and it contains lines from Paul Kendal's "Morning Glory" and "Buddy" who won 4th open NFC Pau in 2002.

Taking 18th prize is Clive Carpenter with a bird bred bred by John McGee with lines from Laureat Barcelona and Brian Shephard's Jingles lines.

19th position goes to BICC president Mick Bunney from Portsmouth, whose dark cock was clocked at 18-45 hours and this pigeon contains bloodlines from Albie Deacon and Alan Holdaway, both top National and International flyers.

All in all it was a very testing race, so well done to all those fanciers whose birds were timed in at the lofts. Three of the birds that returned showed evidence of being "hawked" with missing secondaries and tail feathers, so were lucky to get home. All those fanciers in attendance enjoyed their weekend in France, and it was a pity that the weather conditions took their toll and many French fanciers cannot remember a Barcelona race as difficult as the 2010 event. In the Bully les Mines International marking station 50% of the clocks were not returned, bearing out the difficult conditions faced by the pigeons flying from Barcelona.

John Tyerman, for McGee/Tyerman Barcelona Lofts.