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Jim Emerton Collection Jim Ponders The Hardest Race Routes Into The UK

 

 

THE COLLECTED WORKS OF

JIM EMERTON

VOLUME 1

 

JIM PONDERS THE HARDEST RACE ROUTES INTO THE UK

My comments are personal and not absolute or hard irrefutable fact!! All routes tend to be influenced by time on the wing and distance, further impacted by environmental factors.

I clocked at distances up to 879 miles into Yorkshire from Spain, so have some insight. Who knows a bird’s experiences in its being from any race point? Studies of science and the geography and the weather en route only hint at the answers. As an intuitive perception from analysis and reason, I would say Barcelona International followed by Marseilles Internmational, and then domestic Palamos-Barcelona is the most prestigious, the final frontier of UK international racing. My feelings and the velocities tell me that NFC Pau tends to be harder than Tarbes. On the north road Lerwick into South Wales can be hard. Continental racing into Ireland has legendary degrees of punishing difficulty, including the King’s Cup. I would love to see, and it will happen, more marathon international racing into Ireland. Some arduous racing takes place into the rugged hills of Scotland to over 1000 miles. Fundamental to all routes are the unknown environmental influences of the race, and the race quality of pigeon and fancier. One of my toughest races was at 138 miles - Buckingham! Do we not all live the great human MYSTERY?

CHARACTERS IN THE SPORT

We are nothing without our individuality. The sport of pigeon racing is enriched by its magnificent array of characters who add colour and texture to the tapestry of experience.

One of my first encounters was with "Pigeon Percy" of Derby, a well-known local celebrity who made the local press. He could be seen sitting on the park benches in the Riverside Gardens. His idosyncracy, or nervous mannerism, was to spin his head as if he had spent too much time watching performing Birmingham Rollers.

How can I forget Billy Burdett of Alvaston, Derby? Billy, a feisty, cheerful little character, would encourage young me from his wheelchair. He loved his birds and kept a few rollers and racers. He did not allow his handicap to inhibit his generosity, for he gave me a big blue racer cock, which duly settled and paired to a chequer pied stray. I would take them training in a fishing creel on my motorbike and Billy would utter, "Look at his eye, Jim. Ay'll win Lerwick, ay will, Jim", in a broad Derbyshire accent.

My past is a myriad of rich memories but more in keeping with the present I must mention the great Martyn Mitchell, who is outstanding as an individual, now a millionaire in Belgium but who used to live at Wiston, near Selby. At his home, surrounded by Aston Martins and Porsches, was the most amazing pigeon-racing establishment I have seen. Over tea he explained some of the intricacies of his racing methods. No stone was left unturned in the pursuit of excellence and could he race a pigeon! To be honest, he was in a different league. Do you recall his five birds on the day at MNFC Bergerac, flying 623 miles? An expert at middle-distance racing, Martyn has conquered the racing in Belgium. He is a man ahead of his time and very different.

On the intellectual front we have the great Irish writer, Liam O Comain, MA, who is a lovely, warm man with a romantic and spiritual turn of phrase. In his many writings, especially about marathon racing, he has informed, enthused and enlightened us about the great racing men of the past and present. His body of work secures his place in the future consciousness of the pigeon culture.

Remember Derek Cutcliffe? He was the ex-naval captain who single-mindedly changed the face of how we perceive the hours of darkness, giving the RPRA a model for its calculation. Derek would indulge in some extroverted and heated letter debates in the fancy press and made an impact cultivating and selling his birds, e.g. Stichelbauts and Van Hees.

As for myself, I have been blessed in meeting paupers, princes and millionaires around the globe on my worldly travels. At 16 years old I met and associated with Kenzie, the wild-goose man, noted poacher, boxer, artist and all-round eccentric and good egg. Yes, there is more than mere pigeon races; there are also the characters, the fabric of the sport. We need more of 'em!

PIGEONS

Pigeons are the end game,

They bring you joy, they bring you fame.

Gentle and without deception,

Central to my perception.

The fame of Barcelona Dream,

A product of my scheme,

Has set my world on fire,

Pinnacle of my desire.

All the effort I can,

Has made him known in Japan.

From humble beginnings begun,

I learned how to run and run.

It was the apple of my eye,

When I learned how to fly.

Always on the pace,

Lover of the pigeon race.

ROOM AT THE TOP, WHERE GREATNESS AWAITS

Jim issues a Barcelona rallying cry

The races are upon us and many will enjoy reaching their chosen racing targets at different levels of competition. The secret is to enjoy what you do, whoever you are. Now on the horizon in July is the greatest race in the world. It is the complete race into the UK. I refer to the Barcelona International in July. I promise you an unforgettable experience if you send to this race of races!

The BICC is in expansion and with the BBC will send record numbers in 2012. Gareth Watkins of the BICC will ensure excellent full media publicity to the people who send. Let it be you. Take a giant leap of faith to embrace excellence! Eventually history will realise the sheer weight of the mother of races and give full credit to you who took part in this epic test. At the end of the day it is not the politics which will prevail, it is the united spirit of the brave people who sent. Just 2 words left: SEND EM!

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF A TOP FANCIER

It’s all in the mind you see, ladies and gentlemen. At the heart and root of all racing successes and pigeon racing related activities is the mind of man - the birds being the objective reality of our desires, dreams, plans and breeding and racing systems.

The individual personality of the fancier is paramount as the essential source and requirement of success. I know this from my convoluted journey - do you?

From my analysis and introspection many character traits comprise the psyche of an expert or champion i.e. pure focus, dedication, ruthlessness, compassion, empathy, singularity of purpose, patience, longevity, in depth scientific/artistic insights and pragmatism. If these are suffused by possible GENIUS, and in a helpful social context, success is assured.

OK. I am being analytical again and although this is a shallow reflection of a person it helps to explain in some way the complexity of the PSYCHE of a champion.

THE MIND OF THE MARATHON MAN

In my mind’s eye, marathon means a distance in excess of 700 miles and can go beyond 1000 miles into the UK. If - and especially if - this is combined with the international element, it is a daunting task for the most hardened, seasoned and mentally tough mind in the UK. To achieve success at these levels takes a peculiar and special mindset, both of the fancier and pigeon. I call to mind the three Ps: perseverance, persistence and patience, for racing a marathon is a task that encourages emotions unlike the quick, excited buzz that club sprint racing engenders, since it takes you into a mental zone which is akin to a mystical state like zen. It is an experience for the initiated.

The ultimate marathon into the UK is the Barcelona International. The mind of the marathon man will have conceived this goal; he will have planned, specialised and given long term focus to his individual candidates. If he is successful, his place in the realms of marathon folklore is secured. A man I know who personifies the single minded focus required is Nicholas Harvey of Taunton, Somerset (who was featured recently on Elimar). Will you become a master of the marathon? Try it - SEND EM.

CHASING THE RAINBOW

Sometimes in our search for success we may often spend money seeking out much hyped or seemingly excellent birds or bloodlines. Commercialism in mainstream society benefits by this phenomenon and it fills hungry pockets. Some fanciers near or at a top level via almost perfected racing and breeding systems know in their wisdom that champions often begin at home! In reality all pigeon families can have the potential to produce excellence, as behind the family person’s name they can be racing birds of variable innate quality.

A champion results from a fusion of its potential with the racing environment. The limiting and key factor in the equation is the total personality of the fancier - this variable applies to any human in any sport because of one’s belief system. Naturally some believe in God’s intervention, or that a study of eyes reveals predictability of racing/breeding performance. I am a pragmatist with a simple rule of thumb which smacks of reality to me: send ’em and see the results after liberation from the races. We are free spirits, yet may I suggest to some International races. Enjoy it.

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Elimar - December 2013