Georges Cousaert (Maarkedal) wins Marseille East Flanders and 3rd National

With a broad, friendly smile, Mieke, Georges' wife, warmly welcomes us to the stunning surroundings of the Boigneberg. With a view that stretches all the way to Flobecq across the rolling Flemish Ardennes, one could imagine being in the Tuscany of Flanders.
The garden surrounding the house is in full bloom, vibrant with color. It's mid-July, and here and there harvested grain fields add golden contrasts that make the scene even more beautiful.
A fondness for the Flemish Ardennes? Absolutely—some regional pride is allowed! This is also the landscape where, year after year, cycling fanatics push themselves to the limit on the short, steep climbs, especially during April and May—among them the Boigneberg, home to Mieke and Georges.
Waiting for pigeons in this spot is truly worthwhile. With a bit of luck, you can even see them coming from Wallonia. This once happened with the pigeon that won the Golden Wing Barcelona a few years ago—they saw him flying in from hundreds of meters away… the ultimate thrill for a pigeon fancier.
But we’re here for another achievement: the 1st Provincial Marseille and 3rd National overall.

The Miracle Year 2022

Let’s go back to the summer of 2022. On the Boigneberg, within three weeks, Georges won the Golden Wing Barcelona and shortly afterward 1st National Tarbes. A highlight among the many impressive achievements over the years, with the national Tarbes victory being the cherry on top.
Piet, who won the 1st National Tarbes, nearly repeated the feat by flying 2nd National Narbonne the following year. A phenomenal bird. He now lives in the breeding loft and still looks radiant.
You might think that was the peak—but not at all. Georges and Mieke have built a strong base, rooted in the power of The Bull—or as Georges calls him, “my Pau.”
This 2010 cock (now spending his old age in the attic lofts among the hens) was a top performer at Pau, from strong Florizoone stock (via the De Vos family from Volkegem), and has proven to be an excellent breeder—as father of the Golden Wing Barcelona winner and grandfather of Ocean, the 3rd National Marseille.

The Bull crosses easily with other long-distance lines, broadening and strengthening the colony’s quality.

Ocean Wins 1st Provincial & 3rd National Marseille

Ocean is a "normal" blue cock from 2020 who, at five years old, now brings home the provincial victory and 3rd place nationally to Maarkedal.
He has a strong wing, short forearm, and expressive eye. Still, there were serious doubts before basketing him. Georges is not one for too much intervention; the pigeons must be naturally strong and stay healthy. A vet visit only happens when there are major concerns or disappointing results.

Ocean flew 7th in the club on a grueling Pau early this season (148th National), which was already promising.
On the morning before basketing for Marseille, Georges took Ocean in hand and found him razor-sharp—too sharp, with barely any breast muscle. The Bull line is naturally leaner, but this was extreme.
Georges wondered if the pigeon could handle Marseille and whether it was wise to basket him at all. But being no fan of fuss, he thought: “Let him eat his fill in the basket”—and basketed him calmly, without showing a hen.

At 8:31 PM, while some young birds were still flying around, Georges saw an older pigeon among them diving onto the landing board. Result: 1st Club, 1st Provincial, and 3rd National.
For 848 km and a minute speed of 1,027 m/min, this was a top performance on a tough flight from the Rhône Valley, which is particularly challenging for East Flanders.

Ocean's father is a son of The Bull, with some Odilon blood from Solange Decuyper added in.
His mother is old Florizoone stock with a touch of hen from Marc Landrie (Kruisem).

Past Results:

• 27th Provincial Agen
• 20th Provincial Pau
• 7th Provincial Pau
• 47th Provincial Pau
• 90th Provincial Agen
• And now:
  • 1st Club Marseille
  • 1st Provincial Marseille
  • 3rd National Marseille

Ocean won’t be raced again this season. Next season? Still undecided—a winter of reflection will follow.

The Care

At Georges and Mieke's, everything is in order—but don’t imagine the pigeons are pampered excessively. The approach is as natural as possible: allow the pigeon to mature fully, and then perform at the highest level.
The lofts are healthy and well-used—on the attic of an outbuilding and in garden lofts.

This season, about 60 pigeons were ready for racing (including a few hens raced on nest). Many yearlings, as few young pigeons were lost the previous year.
The key? Nothing is expected from young birds in their birth year. They are trained a few times via own transport and only raced as yearlings—yes, even as far as Narbonne. At two years old, they must prove themselves.

The cocks are raced on traditional widowhood, with relatively few pigeons per large loft. Medical treatment is kept to the absolute minimum.
At basketing, hens are not shown. Upon return, the pigeon first gets to eat, drink, and recover—only afterward is a hen presented.

Pigeons are allowed—and expected—to fully mature at Georges’. These are extreme long-distance birds, and they develop more slowly. But they can also be raced longer. Pigeons of 4, 5, or 6 years still performing well are no exception.

This season, they started feeding the Champion line from Versele. It’s the first year using it and the results are good. But for Georges, feed isn’t the most critical factor—there’s enough quality feed on the market. What matters are good pigeons that can handle the work.

The Boigneberg has grown used to success. The focus remains on the heavy long-distance races. A top result on a one-day long-distance race is nice, but not essential. The emphasis lies on the seven international races.

Once again, this top performance on Marseille proves that pigeon racing has different disciplines—and specialization can lead to great results.

Congratulations from the Herbots team!
Geert Dhaenens