Eric Vermander (Oekene) proves once again: Quality Always Prevails!

Always cheerful, always positive, always a fighter, and above all, an outstanding pigeon fancier… Then, one unfortunate fall from the stairs leading to his loft changes everything. Suddenly, many ambitions disappear, and life itself becomes very relative. That is exactly what happened to Eric a few months ago, at the age of 79. Several weeks in hospital followed, with fractures to his femur and hip, resulting in a long period of immobility. All plans had to be put on hold, while doctors, nurses and physiotherapists took over. A pigeon fancier is very much like a farmer: rain or shine, whether you feel like it or not, the pigeons need daily care. Thanks to the support of his wife Annemie, several loyal friends and Rudy, an emergency plan was put in place. Rudy has been visiting the loft every single day, taking care of the pigeons in close consultation with Eric, while together they cautiously started planning the 2026 racing season. Managing pigeons "from a distance" is certainly not Eric's favourite way of working. Nothing gives him more satisfaction than being personally in charge of his own colony. As for his ability as a pigeon racer, Eric has nothing left to prove. National winner from Montauban, Brive, countless National top prizes from 300 km races right up to Barcelona, breeder of pigeons that have become the foundation of success in many other lofts... and all this with a relatively small colony. Time and again, with only a handful of pigeons, he managed to compete among the very best in Belgium. Just as the colony was being rebuilt after the cowardly theft of several valuable breeding pigeons, Eric suffered another major setback with this unfortunate accident. Yes, it has been a difficult period. Physiotherapy several times a week, limited mobility, no longer being able to do everything himself, constant pain... it inevitably affects a person. But Eric is not the kind of man who gives up. Racing pigeons from a distance became part of his daily routine, and slowly but surely that plan started to work. Two months ago, he was finally able to return to his loft and gradually take back control together with Rudy. Almost immediately, the results started to return.

Rebuilding on the Same Foundations

After the theft of his breeding pigeons some time ago, Eric had no choice but to rebuild his own family of pigeons. Every effort was made to preserve the precious bloodlines descending from legendary pigeons such as Napoleon, Cesar, Barabas, Junior Barabas, Young Barabas, Wout and Geert. Using the few pigeons that remained from these famous lines, Eric carefully rebuilt his breeding loft, making new pairings while preserving the proven bloodlines that had formed the basis of his success for many years. The rebuilding process is steadily paying off, as shown not only by the results in his own loft but also by the outstanding performances in many other lofts.

At Youri Deblanc (Ronse), who is enjoying a fantastic 2026 season, one of Eric's pigeons has become the cornerstone of the colony. At Gino Clicque, the pigeons winning 1st and 2nd National from Périgueux both carry the famous Barabas bloodline, as do several other top performers. Week after week, Eric's pigeons continue to prove their exceptional breeding value.

That is exactly why Eric is more convinced than ever that these bloodlines must be preserved as the solid foundation for the future.

Eric Vermander and Youri Deblanc

Two Provincial Victories Crown the Comeback

Meanwhile, the excellent results have undoubtedly contributed to Eric's recovery. The master's eye is once again making the difference. The finishing touches have been added, resulting in two magnificent Provincial victories alongside many other top performances.

In short, we can truly speak of a remarkable comeback—both for Eric himself and for his pigeons. There is still some work ahead, but all signs indicate that everything is heading in the right direction.

"Henkje" NL25-1543421 dominates Tours

"Henkje" is what the Dutch call a pigeon obtained "through a breeding voucher". Eric had purchased a voucher from the famous loft of Dr. Henk de Weerd, who personally selected a youngster for him.

"Race it," Eric said... and Henkje rewarded that confidence with a Provincial victory from Tours and several other excellent results.

Results:

• Clermont: 15th / 520
• Montoire: 2nd / 203
• Montoire: 49th / 3,672
• Clermont: 1st / 107
• Clermont: 4th / 432
• Tours (Yearlings):
  • 1st / 578
  • 1st / 997
  • 1st Provincial / 2,678
  • 1st Zone / 1,639 Yearlings
  • 2nd Interprovincial / 2,945

"703" BE24-3023703 wins Provincial Châteauroux... and much more

The cock "703" is a two-year-old that is rapidly building an impressive racing record while confirming the enormous value of Eric's old bloodlines.

He is a grandson of Young Barabas, outstanding racer and breeder, a grandson of Wout, winner of 1st National Brive, a grandson of King Kong, and also carries the strong Lippens bloodline through Frederick Everaert.

His father, bred in 2023, has already been transferred to the breeding loft to safeguard these valuable genetics for the future.

As a youngster:

• Vierzon: 9th / 288
• Vierzon: 47th / 2,702
• Argenton: 9th / 189
• Argenton: 136th / 235

As a yearling:

• Clermont: 4th / 439
• Bourges: 2nd / 376
• 5th / 2,523
• 157th / 17,123
• Tulle: 12th / 102
• 320th / 5,889
• Argenton: 16th / 101

2026 Season:

• Clermont: 41st / 666
• Clermont: 15th / 1,141
• Ablis: 165th / 1,326
• Tours: 97th / 997 – 543rd / 6,849
• Bourges: 54th / 584 – 1,103rd / 22,975
• Argenton: 3rd / 369 – 89th / 3,168 – 1,826th / 15,386
• La Châtre: 10th / 193 – 109th / 1,639
• Sancoins: 11th / 157 – 127th / 1,521
• Châteauroux:
  • 1st / 167
  • 1st / 1,121
  • 9th / 5,504
  • 1st Provincial
• Tours:
  • 1st / 146
  • 3rd / 1,269
  • 4th National against 4,859 pigeons

Back-to-back National top performances: 9th National followed by 4th National!

Once again, this proves that these pigeons are still fully capable of competing at the very highest National level.

Keep Fighting!

"Never give up. Just keep going," Eric always says.

For him, "keeping going" now means patiently working through his rehabilitation after an unfortunate accident. But Eric and his pigeons continue to inspire each other. Supported by the people around him and driven by the determination that has always characterised him, everything is clearly moving in the right direction once again.

Keep fighting, Eric!

Everyone at Team Herbots wishes you the very best and many more successes in the future!