Herbots | Lemmens Ulrich - Balen: 1st National Souillac 4,073 yearbirds

No wonder we meet a super satisfied Ulrich when we congratulate him on his national win from Souillac. "My previous one was 10 years ago" begins Ulrich "so it was time to nail another one against the proverbial ceiling. To be honest I was running a bit "down". My hens team was basketed for Argenton national and they managed to get one of my worst results ever. Despite I thought the forme was in the group, they disappointed. So my hopes were set on Souillac, where my cocks were basketed. The first reports made me decide that the national leaders were in East Flanders and I decided to watch the "Tour de France". However, a quick look at the online entries suddenly made me think otherwise because an early pigeon was also clocked in Halen. So my first reasoning was wrong and decided to go out anyway to wait for my Souillac racers. The drinking pots were refreshed and when all work was done, I served another quick pee My natural need had only just begun when I saw a pigeon whizzing over my head. I looked at the drop board and saw my Souillac kite sitting against the blue net attached to the roof. Nervousness took over and with a bit too much enthusiasm I tried to call it in. That was not my "usual do" and my Souillac winner noticed that too. Still, it took him a good minute to register.

"Devil Gust"

With the last three ring numbers being "666", his name "Devil Gust" was quickly found. "Devil Gust" is a 2023 summer youngster and during his birth year he was only basketed for the "Ronde Van België". Being released from all wind directions was his only experience as a young cock.
In 2024, he was handled "sparingly". After finishing the necessary speed and middle distance races, he flew Sancoins (won 273rd national 12,962 yearlings) and then Limoges (price per ten). Limoges national was raced on Friday and when I let my pigeons train on Saturday morning, already at 6am) I was amazed how well they trained.
I almost dare not say it but they were gone so long that I thought they got caught up in some kind of discharge. But it was too early day for that, so it couldn't be. Training so hard is only good for wasting a lot of energy I thought and so I decided to leave my pigeons only in the aviary and do a 30km training flight on Wednesday. Eating and drinking was the only thing they had to do. Conclusion of my "special approach"... for the hens it was a disaster and they apparently need to train during the week. For the cocks it was a "good move" if I analyse the result afterwards. And so, as a fancier, you learn something every year

Ulrich, enjoy this national win and judging by your motivation, it won't take another 10 years now, says we. Good luck