Freddy Neyrinck (Gullegem) wins Limoges provincial West Flanders

The opening classic on the long distance is traditionally a flight from Limoges. With around 600 km the starting shot for those who have ticked the one day long distance and extreme long distance on their calendar.
The organizer opted, in consultation with the KBDB, to release the flight on Friday because thunderstorms were predicted on the flight line on Saturday. An organizational job that was done well and early on Friday morning the 13,000 pigeons were able to take to the air. As is customary every week, this intervention was also heavily commented on (advantage, disadvantage, wind determination, etc.), but a release on Saturday (as it turned out) would have been anything but a sound option.
Where most people assumed that it would be a very smooth and easy flight, this turned out somewhat differently. The flight had a normal course in duration, but it did not go smoothly, as expected. The different wind directions during the flight line apparently caused some confusion in the peloton, resulting in large time differences between the pigeons. A leading pigeon, then waiting 30 minutes for the next one was no exception... and a large percentage of the participants spent a night in the open air.
However, the winners are always right!
The national prize of honour was won by Dirk Speybroeck from Vinkt (Deinze) and the first provincial West Flanders of 2,750 pigeons and thus also the 2nd pigeon national was booked with Freddy Neyrinck in Gullegem.

The “604/23” or the Limoges did the job

This two-year-old handsome cock did the job of being the fastest West Flemish pigeon with a speed of 1,392 meters per minute. He is a really good pigeon that has already shown in the past that he has something in him with a 29th national from Brive with the yearlings.
His origins are also one to lick your fingers and thumbs. He is a son of Freddy's top breeder, namely Spartacus (BE 18-3072961). He is already the father of the 1st national Perigueux 2021, father of the 4th national Argenton 2022, grandfather of the 1st provincial Libourne and now again this exploit. The Spartacus is a grandson of the super pigeon Contador at Joël Verschoot. This son that Freddy bought from Joël was coupled to a 100% Vandenabeele hen from Pierre Dewaele. From these top origins Spartacus was born who passes on his genes in an incredible way.
The mother of the Limoges is a daughter of the Super Georges of Georges Soete coupled with the best of the lofts of Luc & Hilde Sioen. Good blood does not lie… or at least less than usual, is clearly applicable here.
Freddy emphasizes that his breeding loft is also the result of a good collaboration as friends with Erik Denys (Beveren-Leie) who regularly supplies a pigeon for joint breeding.

The breeding loft houses 14 breeding couples… because Freddy adheres to the credo “better quality than quantity”. Pigeon racing is a passion, but above all a hobby and nuisance from pigeons is detrimental to the entertainment value and also to the quality. That is why a very strict selection is made and an attempt is made to populate the breeding loft with top quality, which has already been proven in the past. No large numbers of pigeons, but a finely selected group of pure racers.

It is a hobby

This statement by one of Flanders' most famous philosophers (and comedians) Kamiel Spiessens also applies here. Freddy (68 years old) was a busy person until a few years ago who had little time to play with the pigeons professionally. Neyrinck-Callens was played in tandem and the tasks could already be divided somewhat. More recently, Freddy started playing on his own and is also "retired" and can spend more time with family and hobby.

By keeping the colony limited, this works out quite well. This hobby, in which the social aspect of meeting kindred spirits at the basketing also plays a major role for Freddy, is tailor-made to his time and taste... and then it turns out once again that top results can also be achieved with a small basket.

Choose your battles….is certainly applicable here. Basketting the right pigeons at the right time for their favourite competitions is part of this success.

The racing team is relatively small (about 20 pigeons, divided into cocks and a few hens). These are raced on classic widowhood. Freddy keeps a close eye on whether a pigeon is ready or ready again for a flight. Not in the basket every week, but sufficient rest. With a small colony, kamikaze work is not an option here.

The racing pigeons do not breed for the season and the 60 young pigeons that are released annually are bred from the breeding pigeons. The racing pigeons are allowed to brood for a while before the season and training is started on the traditional sprint and middle distance flights.
The pigeons train early in the morning (6.15 am), normally once a day and in really good weather twice a day (one hour outside). Before basketing, the cocks get to see their hen for about 10 minutes and upon arrival, depending on the intensity of the flight.
Medically, Belgica Deweerd in Breda is visited twice a year and in between, veterinarians from the region for a check-up. Any products used are those of Belgica DW, where Belgasol in particular is mixed in the drinking pot several times a week.
There is also the ‘bottle of mother’ that is regularly used (composition of apple vinegar, pressed garlic, white alum). A few tablespoons of this health drink are then also added to the drinking pot. The comment that Freddy regularly gets from competitors or vets is “that is far too much acid”….but apparently this acid does not cause acid reflux but rather top results.
The pigeon feed is Vanrobaeys with an addition of fatty feed the last 2 days before basketing.
Voila, top pigeon sport can be that simple. Freddy has made the choice to put together his limited colony with top quality pigeons. A strict selection, a care that is focused on natural health, ensures national and provincial victories. Complicated? I don't think so, but transparent and rock solid.
Freddy does not have many arrows in his bow, but his bow is made of the best material, well maintained and the arrows are solid and tested. And then... good aim is the message... and that they know where to go in Gullegem has not escaped anyone's notice.

Congratulations on this great victory, and also on the proof that a small team can also play top.

Geert Dhaenens