Haak-Soen (Moerbeke) 1st Provincial Vierzon – 5,600 old pigeons

The tandem Bjorn Haak and David Soen no longer need any introduction. For decades, they have been one of the combinations to beat in the province of East Flanders. Their focus is on the provincial, but especially the national middle-distance races, and we can assure you that in the club “Eerlijk Duurt Langst” in Viane (Geraardsbergen), these champions are always tough competition.

Their greatest dream is to win a national race or achieve a national KBDB ace pigeon title, but their season is already largely successful when they achieve a provincial or zonal victory. And honestly, every year they either succeed or come very close.
“And when, like now, you can already record a nice victory early in the season, you stand much more relaxed at the basketing table in the coming weeks,” says Bjorn, “and the motivation to go even further gets an extra boost. Nothing is required anymore, but everything is still possible!”

Tasks divided

The results mention the name Haak-Soen, but we certainly must not forget Amanda, Bjorn’s mother, because she steps in wherever needed and has become an indispensable link in the whole operation. Especially because David, who takes care of the breeding pigeons, is also a passionate triathlete during the summer period. At the moment of our conversation, he is even participating in a triathlon in Lanzarote.

At the end of 2023, David and Bjorn sold their racing team through the professional guidance of the Herbots family. The reason was that the lofts on which they had raced for years were given another purpose, so from 2024 onwards they started racing a few meters further on completely new lofts. Apparently, no adjustments were needed to this new accommodation because the results were immediately outstanding.

The racers were paired in January so that their youngsters would be the same age as the youngsters from the breeders’ second round. Once the youngsters were weaned, the racers were raced on widowhood.

Regarding feeding, they have complete confidence in the Plus mixtures from Versele-Laga, and for supplements they frequently use the products from Herbovet (Herbial and Herbo-beets) as well as the products from “Pigeon Health + Performance”.

Bjorn works daily in a night shift, which means all pigeons can train once a day. If the weather allows it, this is done in the morning, and if not, after 4 PM once Bjorn has had some sleep.

From a medical point of view, as every year, they visited the waiting room of the specialized veterinarian three weeks before the start of the season, and treatment is only given if advised. Against trichomoniasis, yellow drops are administered weekly directly into the throat.

“Jilke” wins

For the interprovincial race from Vierzon, 5,600 old pigeons were basketed, and with a speed of 1491 m/min, “Jilke” (named as a tribute to the recently deceased young cyclist Jilke Michielsen) defeated the old pigeons of Steveninck Benny (1483 m/min) and De Bisschop Gustaaf and Jan (1478 m/min).

“Jilke” (B24-4003866) is part of a team of 14 hens (6 old and 8 yearlings) raced on pure widowhood. Just like every other week, “Jilke” was allowed to see her cock before basketing, and apparently the love between them must be enormous to achieve such a fantastic performance.

And when we look at “Jilke’s” record, we are deeply impressed. Enjoy these results:

• 1st Interprov. Vierzon against 5,700 old pigeons
• 9th Toury against 5,054 pigeons
• 7th Vierzon against 616 pigeons
• 11th Châteauroux against 2,549 pigeons
• 31st Argenton against 3,135 pigeons
• 50th Toury against 2,185 pigeons
• 64th Bourges against 2,378 pigeons

A remarkable detail: her nest sister won 2nd provincial Orléans against 8,800 pigeons as a young bird.

Besides the hens team, Bjorn and David also have 12 widowhood cocks, and these birds also love to place their ring numbers at the top of the results sheet. In the same weekend as the Vierzon victory, they won 1st prize from Valpuiseaux against 358 pigeons.

Bjorn, Amanda and David… congratulations on this interprovincial victory, and who knows what else the season may bring you. Enjoy it.

Stefan Mertens