Combination Ebben ends 2025 season a spectacular result: 1-2-7-8-9 Provincial Laon

For the Ebbens of Boven-Leeuwen, the 2025 racing season has drawn to a close. Last Saturday, the final races of Section 8 were completed, allowing Will and Falco Ebben to reflect on a season marked by both triumphs and setbacks.

A Season of Highs and Lows

The season wasn’t without its challenges. Two races suffered from difficult liberations, resulting in the loss of several top pigeons—a tough blow for a smaller loft. Yet there were remarkable highlights: in May, the Ebbens achieved four consecutive weeks in the provincial top ten, including a victory from Soissons against 8,511 pigeons. Two weeks later, they even claimed 1st and 2nd Semi-Provincial Orléans against 2,759 pigeons. While a disappointing race from Laon disrupted their momentum, and the young bird season fell short of expectations, the combination still ended the year on a high note.

Outstanding Achievements

• 2nd Provincial (Afdeling 8/GOU) Middle Distance Championship, un-nominated and 3rd nominated
• 1st General Nominated Club (for the fourth consecutive year!)
• 21 first prizes across both lofts, Boven and Beneden-Leeuwen, including:
  • 1st Soissons (8,511 pigeons)
  • 1st Gien (2,759 pigeons)
  • 1st Etroungt (2,567 and 2,344 pigeons)
  • 1st Reims (1,613 pigeons)
  • 1st Tienen (898 pigeons)
  • 1st Bierges (577 pigeons)
  • 1st Issoudun (556 pigeons)

Laon: A Dramatic Finish

The season finale on the after-race circuit came from Laon (288 km). With 21 old and young pigeons entered, the flight was challenging under southeast winds and summer-like conditions. Yet at 12:33, two pigeons landed simultaneously, both clocking 1,382 m/min. By ring number, NL25-1140221 “Umoni” was declared the winner.

Key Performers:

NL25-1140221 “Umoni” (1st against 6,325 pigeons)

A remarkable bird, 75% Ebben and 25% Janssen-Arendonk. Lost during the first young bird race of the season and reported from a central loft in Belgium, she made an extraordinary recovery to become a provincial winner.

• NL25-1140749 “Una” (2nd against 6,325 pigeons)
  Officially 2nd but equal on time with the winner. A favorite of Falco’s, she is the daughter of top breeders “Piet” x “Paulina” and has already achieved top finishes including 2nd Tienen (3,550 pigeons).

• NL23-9147668 “Suzanne” (7th against 6,325 pigeons)
  The star of the year, ranked 8th in the PIPA Allround Ranking in early September. She secured 7 top 1/100 finishes and was crowned middle distance ace pigeon in the club.

• NL23-9147614 “Sander” (8th against 6,325 pigeons)
  Another top contender, ranked 13th in the PIPA Allround Ranking, with 7 top 1/100 finishes this year. He is the brother of two cocks that won 1st and 2nd Semi-Provincial Gien.

• NL25-1140729 “Unica” (9th against 6,325 pigeons)
  Daughter of “Pandemic” x “Peke,” consistently performing at the top level.

Melun: Strong Young Bird Performance

The last young bird race of the season came from Melun, with 8 pigeons entered. The Ebbens scored 6 prizes, including 6th, 81st, and 144th against 4,304 pigeons. First arrival was NL25-1032108 “Unstoppable”, a promising young pigeon from Frans Strikker, already showing top form with three top prizes this season.

Looking Ahead: Back to 12 Pairs

Following a season of peaks and valleys, Falco Ebben plans a strategic adjustment. Since starting with old birds in 2020 under Combination Ebben, he has been highly successful:

• 3x Top 10 Best Fancier of the Netherlands
• 2x Winner of the Silver Pigeon
• 2x General Champion Section 8

However, the colony will be reduced from 16 pairs back to 12, aligning with uncle Will’s approach. Prioritizing enjoyment and a loft better suited to fewer pigeons, the number of young birds will also be cut. With this “magic number,” the Ebbens aim to recapture the golden years of 2020–2024. The thrilling season finale demonstrates that the potential is certainly there.