WHAT TO CHECK WHEN BUYING PIGEONS?
I carry out an intense study of the origin of the birds and the person who bred them. Other than the pigeon, what was the nature of the fancier and his system? I like to see specialism, knowledge and integrity. For birds I put some trust in Louella/Marco Wilson/Jim Donaldson/Emiel Denys/Brian Denney/T. Robinson and Michael Descamps van Hasten for example and Gerhard Schlepphorst. I sourced birds from the best genes available from these fanciers. Having said this my 42-year-old strain is based on inbreeding to 7 foundation birds which are documented under The Evolution of The Emerton Strain. The world is awash with great bloodlines, and wise is the man who perfects his own, personal racing system-there are pure systems yet no pure strains, despite commercialism and the illusion and delusion of egos.
Jim Emerton.
*************************************************************
THE RACE THAT CANNOT BE WON?
There is but 1 race for me-it is The Barcelona International into the UK @ Ireland. In modern times our fanciers and their champions have failed to win this epic migration of supreme navigational ability. Weather, Channel and geography are key factors and reasons for this. However, the possibility is alive and well, and stalwarts of the marathon scene will take on the god of all race points. Without a victory some great, iconic birds will fly to the hand of human genius. A few become key breeders if not strain makers and make certain people rich and famous in the big wide world of the racing pigeon culture. In 2018 we must see if we can get inside the top 50 in the International result. I like the battlers over 800 miles in my gene pool. Every man should have a crack at the greatest race on planet earth.
Jim Emerton.
*************************************************************
MUSGROVE PERSISTENT-6 TIMES BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL 710 MILES?
She is flying out well. With children at stock, we may send her for the sixth time to Barcelona with the BICC. At our age the birds are to race, and our stock is full of marathon genes. In the United Kingdom, I have never heard of a 6 timer, have you readers. The essence of marathons is to send the birds, and that is the central ethos of our establishment and rationale. On liberation the birds are free to do as their instincts allow. Nick Harvey and I will see how the season unfolds, and it is a fact that we love the pigeon for her stamina and endurance. Yes, a rare pigeon and a little champion inbred to my 7 foundation pigeons.
Jim Emerton.
*************************************************************
MONGREL PIGEONS.
Every racer I know is a mixture of diverse origins and can be called a MONGREL. Egos and sales people label them after a persons name, which is anthropomorphic. Much money would cease to be generated by selling The Mongrel Strain! My own birds are all from various origins, yet I use marathon-based birds, as these will produce sprinters as well-the fancier creates distance birds under his racing regime. Have a study of a long and accurate pedigree to witness my idea. Mongrel is a fact yet not posh. This said, I practice a great deal of inbreeding to my 7 foundation pigeons. Evidence shows that it is wise to outbreed the inbreds from time to time to produce a new type of performance bird.
Jim Emerton.
*************************************************************
AS THE FANCIERS GROW OLDER.
Many of the people at the height of their pigeon powers are over 60. In a declining sport we must try and inspire the next generation with ambition and the desire to take on the big races and become the establishment themselves. I have a few young men around 30 that I help with birds, advice and encouragement. If they dedicate and persist, they may achieve great things in their pigeon lives. In modern times a key factor is single-minded focus, and the patience to realise goals in the larger world of the pigeon racing culture. If they survive the rigours and demands of competitive sport they may influence the next generation of neophytes as they grow older.
Jim Emerton.
*************************************************************
MIND OVER MATTER.
I was taught this attitude and belief as a child and believe in it as an older man. The essence of life is conscious awareness and mindfulness of yourself and the external world, which in the mystical state can be united as one. In terms of the macrocosm we may imagine, speculate and believe we know with the tools of modern science, as evolved by scientists. With higher or alternative consciousness, original insights may be the fruit of your contemplation. It is lovely to think that you have created a piece that is unique to your own personal identity, whilst being part of the greater, collective humanity. The free expression of mind in a literary form is the external realisation of the inner dream.
Jim Emerton.
*************************************************************
THE LONE INDIVIDUAL
I feel that to be original and creative in expression you are both unique and alone at the moment of genesis. It is an area that is pure, uplifting and isolating. The secret, and to fight off madness, eccentricity and being a recluse is free expression in publications and the media. In this sphere the work can be praised and criticised, as a reflection of other people. It is amazing how your ego is moved by the people who donate comments to the process. With 8 books for sale, my attempt at self-expression is bearing fruit, with sales as far as Australia, Canada and the Lebanon. The essence is an outlet for complex psychic processes in print, then you retreat back into the inner world of the lone individual again.
Jim Emerton.
*************************************************************