Gommaire Verbruggen (Scherpenheuvel)

Excellent results in 2002

1^st provincial Argenton 1851 youngsters

2^nd national Bourges zone C 9636 youngsters

2^nd national La Souterraine zone C 3540 youngsters

12-122-192 national Perpignan 7.198 p

35^th national Barcelona 13.021 p

Scherpenheuvel

Scherpenheuvel is a town in Belgium very famous for the pilgrims who go there to pray for the Holy Mother. But it is also famous for the pigeon fancier -for the man I visit today, Mr.. Gommaire Verbruggen. In China, Japan and Taiwan, for many years he has been known as "The Computer ." He became world famous with his birds "Kletskop," Teen, Schilderij, of which I will tell you more, Mr. Gommaire Verbruggen has won already 30 provincial and 6 semi-national races from 300-600 km. But I have never met this man or written an article about him. The reason? Barcelona, I guess, Gommaire participated in this race -in 1998 he even had 5th best Barcelona flyer for 5 years -but he did not have striking national results. In2001, he had an excellent result from Barcelona. With 16 birds in the race he scored 11 prizes. Just before his trip to Japan with Emiel Denys and Notary Dons, I had an interview with this Belgian star. I sure can say that Mr. Verbruggen has as much class as his birds; He is a fancier on the same level as Mr .Karel Meulemans, a true sportsman.

The Building of a Pigeon Strain

Gommaire started with the pigeon sport in 1970. His father races in partnership with an uncle. The birds were in a loft at the uncle's house. Because Gommaire owned a car, he helped his father and uncle, taking the birds/ going to club, tossing, Gommaire got interested in this sport. He started racing by himself. He was lucky to have a few good. basic birds from Moons-Briers (Tessenderlo). Out of two of these birds he bred De Wondertik 660- 70. his first good speed racer. A few years later these birds also had good results at middle distance (+.- 350 km). In 1976 Gommaire bought his first basic breeder; the cock "De AS 2231035-72." lst ace pigeon speed KBDB In 1974. He knew how good this cock was. Gommaire had to race him with his own birds. The AS, owner Maurice Van de Velde (Schoonderbuken), always won lst prize with head wind, a total 17 times first prize. The AS was matched with several hens and 3 basic birds were born, 2 hens and one cock: Witpenneke As (cock). Klein Aske (hen and Donker AS (hen). On these 3 birds is the loft Verbruggen built. The cock Witpenneke AS 2012045- 78 (AS x 458- 77. last daughter of 466-66 Frans Stoles) matched up to the hen 125-81 (daughter Witneus Meulemans x Schellens) is the parent of 020-83. This cock 2530020-83 won lst Provincial Orleans 1489 p, 41st National14.042 p. In 1985 10th National Bourges in 1980, 87th National 11.066 p 1986. 113th Semi-national Chateauroux 10.417 p. 2nd Provincial Blois 765 p. 4th Provincial Orleans 1,608 p. He became basic bird in the 020- strain. A basic daughter from AS (AS x 158-74, old strain Wondertik x Sebrechts) is Donker Aske 23670 17- 77. Paired up to 017-78, direct son of Kadet (K. Meulemans). They are parents of the basic cock 2118002-86. He won lst Etampes 558 p, lst Bourges 3.880 p. 2nd National Bourges 13.154p. 1st Toury 558 p. 5th Etampes 756 p. 2nd Toury 810 p, 159th Semi-National Chateauroux 11, 286p, 28^th National Bourges 23,297 p basic cock of the Kadet -Strain.

The second daughter of AS (AS x hen Frans Van Dijck) is National Bourges 18,219 p. This daughter paired up to Schilderij was the best breeding pair I have ever had. In 31 years in the pigeon sport I only had one excel- lent breeding couple," says Gommaire. "Many good breeding but a pair like this is once in a lifetime."

"De Schilderij 5349262- 79" was bought at an auction of latebreds by the uncle of Gommaire. It was a direct Jef Van Sweevelt cock. Two years later Gommaire got this cock and matched it, luckily, to Klein Aske. Gommaire is an honest man. This golden pair is parents of many " excellent racers and basic breeders on other lofts:.

1) Blauwe Vansweefelt 063- 81:6 times 1^st provincial prize, father of best breeding hen in USA for many years. This cock was sold to "Daitoku Loft" in
Japan.

2) Massis 256-86 won 8th Semi-National Chateauroux 11, 286pin '88, 5thNationalBourges 13, 154p in '88, 1st Semi-National Chateauroux 9245p in '
89, sold to Daitoku Loft Japan, grandfather of 1^st S-Nat. Argenton 7068 p.

3) Blinde 055-83, basic pigeon of Loft Libert Naulaerts, Zichem.

4) Teen 008-83, in two years time he won 1^st Provincial Vierzon 1. 907 p, 14th Orleans 1608 p, 111^th Vierzon 7, 164 p, 9th Nat. Bourges 13,053 p, 9th
S-Nat. Chateauroux 10,417 p, 2nd Provincial Orleans 759p. 109thNat. Bourges 11, 066 p. When I did have his brother, Kletskop. He would have been my best bird!"

5) Kletskop 199-83, he won lst Provincial Orleans 1608 p, lst Prov. Blois 889 p. lst Semi- National Chateauroux 10,417 p. lst Provincial Orleans 759 p (2nd time Orleans!), 2nd Etampes 563 p. 52nd Nat. Bourges 14,042 p, 138th Nat. Bourges 73053 p, 545th Nat. Bourges 11.066 p, 326thNat.Bourges 10, 163p.He is a basic breeder by himse1f; father of Romeo, Hertog, Geeloger Hertog, grandfather of Prinseske. Zorro, basic hen of Houben (Itegem), basic cocks Deno- Herbots. basic cock Jean Devroe... many others!

6) Schilderij 842-83. won at loft R. Hoebrechts (Hoeleden) lst Orleans. 367 p, 194th National Tulle 6144 p, 6th S-Nat. Argenton 3126 p, 303rd Intern. Bordeaux, 9433 p, 96th Intern. Perpignan 17,33J in ë92, 28th National Barcelona 13,343 p. Gommaire bought this cock back on the auction of R. Hoebrechts for his long distance ambition!

7) Geschelpte Feel 145-84 basic cock F. van Oosterwijck (Zichem).

8) Blauwe 841-83, basic cock G. Sterckx, (Korbeek-Dijle)

9) Bontje 007 -84, basic hen 10) Geschelpte Schilderij 255-

86, Nest brother of Massis on breeding loft.

11) Godfather 331-85; basic cock of loft Frans Van Roey (Rijkevorsel), grandfather of lst Provincial Barcelona, 1^st Provincial Limoges, lst Provincial Narbonne.

12) Mazout 008-84, basic hen, grandmother of 2nd Ace Pigeon KBDB Fond 199 on Loft Deno-Herbots.

13) Schilderijtje Rolf, basic hen on loft Rolf Bender (Germany) Was Gommaire wrong about a golden breeding pair? I have never seen it before!

Because the loft helper of Gommaire likes to race Barcelona, Gommaire bought himself also long distance birds; at Klaas Oosterhof (Aarden strain), Kuypers brothers (thanks to a Taiwan friend), Jan Ernest (NL), Roger Vereecke (Deerlijk) and since 1999 also Roger Florizoone (Nieuwpoort).

Method

In his really beautiful Stone Loft are the racers, 14 old widowers, 30-35 yearling widowers and 200 youngsters above. Below all 30 pair of breeders in separate breeding boxes, each pair own box. "I always breed like this, otherwise one can not be sure about the pedigree of the youngsters. A cock could fertilize a hen other than her partner. Does it happen sometimes that you only breed one good racer of a pair and never again out of this pair? What can be the reason? I don't want this. I am sure of my pedigrees!" The widowers and breeders are mated by the end of November. Gommaire a1so keeps youngsters of his best widowers. Some yearlings get eggs from breeders. So these breeders can start another nest. The widowers cannot start another nest but are matched again by the end of March for a few days. breeding. Now. Widowhood can begin. They train in the morning 7 to 8 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. The widow hens are put with the cock each time before basketing. "In 1997 I did not do this and had a good year. 4 Provincia1 victories. In 1998. I did not let the hens in the loft before basketing but did not have a good year. .only. one Provincia1 victory. Since 19991 do it again." The widowhood stops after Bourges (beginning of August) or Limoges (half July). After racing, the widowers can raise youngsters once.

. Then the hens go to the aviary and the young cocks come into the widowhood compartment. They can choose a nest box. 

What system did you use for your youngsters this year Gommaire? I know you were not happy with your system of the last tree years? ‘Well, Johan, I separate the young cocks and hens immediately. Both sexes are darkened from beginning of February till 15^th of June…from 18 PM till 8 AM. Young cocks race once 500 km, the young hens all national races for youngsters. After the third race of 350 km, the young cocks are paired up to an old hen and breed for 8 days. Than widowhood starts. The young hens are paired up to an old cock but they cannot start a nest. Just falling in love! I changed another thing! I do not use straw on the loft for youngsters anymore. I clean the loft two times a day. This year my youngsters had very good results. You can see my results.  

All birds are inoculated against paramyxo and paratyphus. Every 14 days they are given two days cure against trichomoniasis. When problems appear, he goes to a vet. He a1- ways uses the Röhnfried. For food mixture he gives Mariman and Cerafin -diet mixture after race and racing mixture before. During moulting, a moulting mixture plus sma1l oats is given, leftovers from a friend who has a mill.

Fond System

The birds for the Barcelona Race are in another loft, behind the main loft. The only long distance bird amongst the "norma1" widowers (400-600 km, 250-373 mi.) is the cock 410-98. I will teIl you later about him.

The long distance cocks (12 old widowers for 2002) get the same preparation before widow- hood, but train in the morning at 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. Before Barcelona, they race Bourges and Chateauroux. The week before basketing they are tossed two times at 50 km. After the big race (Barcelona = 1090 km), they do not race any more. This team is too young. Most birds are..from 1999, so I will use them again next year ."

“My friend Emiel Denys gives me advice for the long distance races. When I started long distance racing I did not use the good method. I did have one excellent cock in those  years. It was ‘Inter-Pares 2198464/92’. The sire is my basic cock for the long distance, 2201387/89. The sire of this basic cock is the famous ‘Dax-doffertje’ of the late Jan Zantboer NL (Fietsendief X daughter Dolle). The dame is ‘Klein Blauw Burg’ from Jan Aarden, inbreed to Aarden 1. The dame of 464/92 is 704/89 (39^th intern Marseille hens), daughter ‘Donkere Naut 541/79, 100 % Jan Aarden. The 464/92 raced 5 times Barcelona in a row. National results in the 5 years: 402-915-187-896-410. He was the 5^th best Barcelona racer in Belgium from 1994/1998. I made my first good result on Barcelona 2001. In 2002 I had another good race with almost all new birds. My first bird this year won 35^th national against 13.021 pigeons. In 2001 this cock won 75^th national Beziers 5420 p. its 2117469/00. The sire 379/91 (own strain X strain from the Netherlands). The dame is the basic hen for my long distance. It is 2201297/89, sister of the basic cock 387/89 (Jan Zantboer X Aarden). I did not race this cock on the Perpignan race later in the season. The second bird won 208^th national Barcelona. It was 473/98, which won 84^th national Cahors zone C and later this season 192^nd  national Perpignan 7198 p. The sire 440/96 (direct Jan Ernest NL) and dame 144/90 (direct Kuypers brothers, Neer NL). The third Barcelona racer 450/00 won 258^th national and 122^nd national Perpignan. As a yearling 402^nd national Beziers. The sire is the basic cock 387/89 and the dame 048/97, direct from Roger Florizoone (Nieuwpoort). The fourth bird was 405/00 and won 367^th national. The 5^th bird is a real super bird. It is 2061410/98 which won already following prizes: 4^th provincial Issoudun 1873 p, 62^nd national Cahors zone C 5223 p, 29^th national Montauban 7220 p, 707^th national Cahors 9989 p, 5^th national Beziers 6522 p and now 661^st national Barcelona. The sire 441/96 (direct Jan Ernest NL) and the dame 498/97 (Vereecke X strain Donkere Naut).” To end this chapter I would like to add the 6^th birds from Barcelona. It was 403/00, 133^rd national Beziers 2001, 701^st national Barcelona 2002 and 12^th national Perpignan 2002. (26^th international 18.264 p)The sire is ‘Inter-Pares 464/92 himself and the dame 704/92 (Imbrechts X same strain Zantboer).

New breeding pair!

Gommaire thinks he has found a new super pair. It is ‘Jonge Baron 109/00’ (grandson Kletskop) X Kristine 689/00 (granddaughter 020). His old strain for the middle distance. In 2002 they became parents of 038/02 (1^st Toury 690 p, 18^th Toury 382 p, 606h national Bourges zone C 9636 p…)039/02 (9^th Toury 690 p, 2^nd national La Souterraine zone C 3540 p) , 103/02(45^th Blois 3581 p, 2^nd national Bourges zone C 9636 p, 40^th national La Souterraine C 3540 p). This pair must be the future for the middle distance racers.

Results 2002

Chateauroux 328yl: 1-2-7-11-30-40-56-65-76-77…(15/34)

Argenton 6384 yl: 19-30-67-143-148-158-305-350-379-437-489-571-594-646…(20/30)

Toury 690 yo: 1-2-8-9-12-18-21-22-31-41-42-62-69…(21/34)

Barcelona 13.021:35-208-258-367-661-731-1598…(13/18)

Blois 3581 yo: 15-45-55-67-109-141-256-280-287-296-311-323-422…(20/43)

Limoges national Zone C 4755 yo: 52-54-67-93-103-212-240-330-377-414-423…(16/31)

Bourges 668 yo: 3-15-19-23-26-27-50-57-67-68…(20/35)

Bourges national Zone C: 9636 yo: 2-35-48-57-71-84-242-318-404-407-458-606…(20-35)

Perpignan nat.7198d: 12-122-192-371-626-1435-1616(7/9)

Argenton prov. 1851 yo: 1-82-180-237-300-303-336-480-539-616 (10/30)

La Souterraine national 13.708 yo: 22-74-331-342-362-593-600-1913-2323-2351 (10/16)

Johan Kempen (Geel)

Johan.Kempen@pandora.be

+32 486 88 51 92