Jim Emerton
POPULAR AND CONVENTIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE SPORT.
The authoritative institutions, the media and the commercial world driven by the money ethic are primary influences in the minds of pigeon fanciers. I like creative, original and new thinking, since from this psyche changes or improvements may be made. The progress of man is carved out by inspiration and genius, where radicals and eccentrics are inculcated into the mainstream. Visionaries of their time, they become icons of the past. In pigeons the benchmark of quality is perceived often by pure wins in the UK, yet the premier race has never been won. Great fanciers and their birds, in my minds eye are rare and seldom seen in the mass of weekly results that are the food of the popular media. In my life, I have had many a rethink into the true nature of real values, which give a personal perspective to my mind set, which evolves around great marathon birds as a special interest. I hope I have fired the enthusiasm of a few pioneers or radical, individual thinkers in my time.
Jim Emerton.
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THE SOBERING REALITY OF BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL RACING INTO UK/IRELAND.
Men talk, plan and dream around the desire for success in this epic, marathon endurance race. Of all the birds bred and sold of any origin, an underlying reality dawns on people. It is this-very few are entered on a yearly basis and even less will bring glory and success to the intrepid few who attempt it, or repeat the attempts. The task is etched in difficulty, especially those who fly over 800 miles, with many birds trailing in out of race time. Tarbes tends to be a much easier proposition, although this can be an onerous task to the North of England. At Barcelona Int. we learn the lesson of the Pyrenees and birds having to find their way home from within a convoy of up to 30 thousand individual birds drawn towards many countries as far as Poland. I have been involved in the homing of 15 birds so far and a rare minority will shine at Barcelona Int. Great condition and stamina are needed and the essential navigational and overall homing ability. The demands on the human mind are huge tests of focus, dedication, desire and overall ability. You risk exposure to criticism and negation by peers-there is no hiding place. It is likely that the 800 mile people are dreamers and optimists or a little barking. However, as long as the race exists, men will go all out to conquer it and against the odds. The challenge remains because it is there and man will reach for the stars to feel them pulsating in the palm of the hand-it remains at the very soul of pigeon racing, feared and revered at the same time.
Jim Emerton.
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THE SMALL TEAM FANCIER.
We tend to respect, praise and admire, the dedicated fancier who does consistently well with a small team. The modern archetype is personified by people like Halstead and Delea. It is apparent that they are clever at breeding and conditioning individual birds and have the confidence to spread them thinly over many races. These men are specialists in their craft and have esoteric knowledge. Results are results, yet the big team entries will be criticised even though many good birds may be on the result. Personally, I always look for outstanding individual birds and the characters that flew them. It is not all who favour the big professional outfits with huge resources, although they all contribute to the sport as a whole. The small team fancier tends to realise the best from birds of many origins-lets face it they are all a mixture from different people, the skill is in the practice of racing them at a high level, and the secret is to enjoy the game.
Jim Emerton.
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THE ROLE OF THER BELIEF IN THE SPORT.
To start at the bottom as novices do, to hold on and enjoy a little success and build on it over the years takes belief. With confidence in your original stock, it is wise to aim to perfect your flying system. The good birds will come to the fore with time and belief in what you are doing. All families have ranges of abilities within them, rather than thinking that certain family names of the fancier are superior. My advice is to produce and race your own, which may take your name as an identity for recognition and commercial reasons. Even then top birds are rare, even though the prices may be rich. There can be a difference between money and quality, as great birds can be given amongst friends. If you believe and do the job right then rewards will follow in racing, although extreme racing into Ireland is a mind blowing challenge.
Jim Emerton.
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THE LONGER DISTANCES WITH HENS.
A really good hen takes some beating at 5 to 700 miles. I have done well with them from 71 to 879 miles. Paired in March and raced with the cocks in build up stages of distance they are my favourite for their tenacity and quick recovery and will do all you ask out to Barcelona. The rub is that they must be brought into sparkling condition by you and sent to great distances in actual racing, say in the NFC and then the BICC. If you can, in your area an easy way is the open loft natural system of your style as this will mirror the types of weather and conditions faced en route. Some hens can score at all distances and are often good breeding birds. The fancier, as always is responsible for the entry condition of the hens in the races. Good ones emerge from many origins, not just fancy commercial named birds to make money.
Jim Emerton.
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UNDERSTANDING THE NATURAL ELEMENTS.
You come alive in the presence of raw nature, the howling wind, the driving rain and the snow that melts on your face. Years of my life have found me in woods, deserts, mountains and sees and gazing at starlit African skies. Now birds will respond and adjust to everything that the natural environment can throw at them. They must be free to spread their wings, soar on oxygen and express natural behaviours. I do not like the idea of pigeons trapped in artificial lofts when they could be on their instincts outdoors. This is the principle on which we condition our entries for the marathon races and I have indulged this practice for around 40 years with racers and with rollers and many breeds before that. In racing home the birds will face the vagaries of the weather and it seems wise to expose them to variable conditions from youngsters onwards.
Jim Emerton.
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THE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
I have seen some enormous challenges in my life at home and abroad, yet one modern challenge grabs my attention. It is clocking out of Barcelona International into Ireland in race time. If it were beyond the bounds of realistic possibility it would remain in the realm of fancy, yet I sense it will be done. The practical solution is to press beyond the dream plan and send a full team of specially prepared quality birds. The timer will be an individual like the fancier, from many origins. The event will cause shock waves around the pigeon world, being a media celebration-both bird and man becoming instant icons. As a challenge it is unique, singular and totally individual, cracking convention along the way. Nolan, Feeney, Kelly, who will reach for the stars in a glorious act of racing greatness? It will keep us all interested
Jim Emerton