LETTER FOR BHW FROM JIM EMERTON.
The pure essence of pigeon racing: It is so simple-beyond the chat, the thoughts the dream is race reality. I feel that each bird needs testing in the cauldron of competition, and I look for a loft where the fancier has raced at all distances from sprint to marathon International levels. Some people have done this, and they command my respect and admiration. In my minds eye, the greatest pigeon of the modern era has been The Marco Wilson cock -a rugged and lovely dark chequer bird. We have 2 children for outbreeding purposes. Fanciers need to look no further than the UK for wonderful bloodlines of the highest order. With the Eclipse club, ambitious men are on a roll with pure racing prospects-
Jim Emerton.
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LETTER TO THE RP FROM JIM EMERTON.
The need for unity: It is a reality that jealousy pervades the sport at many levels. Some men feel it, yet to others it spurs them on to do great things. It is difficult to be a good sport, when the nature of the game is competition, often fuelled by the money ethic. To be sure, the great birds and people are outstanding in the popular consciousness of the times. Stripped to the basics, if you enjoy what you do then fair dinkum. My belief lies in testing the boundaries of possibility with the birds-beyond 800 miles does the trick-
Jim Emerton.
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LETTER TO THE BHW FROM JIM EMERTON.
My optimal diet for Marathon Racing Pigeons: We have timed many birds out of Barcelona International on the following mix: hormoform/tovo/hemp/sunflower hearts/yeast/oils/peanuts/g10 pellets in a hopper/ the food mixed in with a good racing mix of grains etc. This is all fed to appetite for all birds young and old. Before each channel race for France or Spain we use a liquid feed of Vydex Supersix, followed by Rohnfried Blitzform. The birds sparkle on this regime e.g. Musgrove Persistent racing 5 consecutive Barcelona Internationals at 710 miles into Taunton Somerset in the West of England. I find this feeding to be perfect on our type of modified natural system.
Regards Jim Emerton.
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LETTER FOR THE BHW FROM JIM EMERTON.
Ways to improve the sport: With a modicum of imagination there are manifold ways to improve the sport. A little good nature goes a long way in exchanging birds, helping out and donating a trophy or 3. Personality based, it is good practice within the sport. Some of the top men swap good birds amongst each other, spending a big fat zero of pounds in the process-I do like the bartering system. I like to encourage people to test and specialise in their own racing and bloodlines, as an outward manifestation of their dedication-this is the purist approach a man can take, yet highly individualistic. The secret to success is existential i.e. happiness and that is transient-
Jim Emerton.
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