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FEATURED FEATHERS:
"MAGIC MAN" AU 08 WFLOFT 3 BB COCK
It looks like I closed our race season too early in last month's Featured Feathers. "Magic Man" let us know that its not over until its over! What a magical time for us when this super boy flew in like a meteorite. This is no exaggeration. He and his friend # 245 seemed to fall out of the sky.They could not have done anything better! "Magic Man- WFLOFT 3 placed 1st in a 300 m. vs 506 birds (he also placed 6th in another 300 mile race this season vs. 475 birds) and #245 was 2nd. It was the best performance of the season! This cock is the son of our "Golden Mattens grandson, "Houdini" and "Rocket Girl", grand dtr. of the Rocket. This is not the first time "Houdini" has produced a winner. "Magic Man's" 1/2 sister "DARLA" placed =1ST twice in two races in a money race known as the CHANDLER CHALLENGE.
I would also like to mention that AU 08 SLIDELL 245 is a son of one of our Sure Bet grandons named "ALL IN' when mated to "WEISDORFFER" a President/Golden Witten grandaughter.
January 2009
PIGEON TALK:
Not too long ago, I heard something said by a fellow club member that I thought was very note worthy. He said, "when it is your race, be ready"! This is so true. We are all familiar with the terms honey holes, drags, favored wind conditions, and I would like to say this about that. When you have more than one loft competing naturally these elements will indeed play a factor, but when a bird makes it a point to come out in front and not follow regardless of the conditions, these are the wins that will make you most proud of your birds. Such an incident happened to us on the last race of this YB season. It was thought that the last 300 mile race could possibly turn into a two day race based on the winds. Well...I decided that I would go out early to show that I was hopeful that we would get a day bird. As I was on my way to go inside the house real quick to grab my cell phone , I heard our friend scream..."BIRD!" and then he said "TWO OF THEM". I could not believe my eyes. Well, lo and behold....we snagged our second combine win of the season!!!!! We placed 1ST and 2ND in a 300 mile race vs. 506 birds. The moral of this story is: "When it is your race, be ready. The deal is.....sometimes you will be very surprised which race will be yours, so always expect your birds to come."
WHAT I LEARNED:
I learned that you must adjust according to your competition. Never be afraid of it. I have been evaluating in my three year racing mind the recent comments I have heard regarding competition. There are many forms of competition out there and I think that all of them command respect in their own right. Many clubs are made up of small groups of flyers and there are also clubs that compete against 2000+ birds and of course the National races are also on a whole other scale. I feel that if all of the lofts are close in proximity then you may really have to concentrate on trapping techniques. If the lofts are very spread out and you are off the line of flight in the boon docks then you may really have to concentrate on some serious motivation techniques and training paths that will be to your advantage. The common denominator is that we all have to do everything necessary to give our birds the best opportunities to compete and to do this it takes very much time , work and commitment. They, like any athlete need the proper feed, nutrition, health, training and attention. With this, the birds will prove themselves. It would not be fair to say that one arena is better than the other. It is very exciting to see big competitions, but we should also give credit to all who keep this sport alive and give it their best shot!!!! I know that on a personal level we work our butts off every season like so many other flyers. There is no room for egos in this game. All can be on top one season and struggling the next. No doubt, Winning is more fun, but you gotta keep workin' it! Just keepin' it real! Besides, we never know where the next supercracks will be coming from. That's what keeps it fun!