The largest pigeon show in the United States was held on January 8 - 10,
1998 in San Bernardino, California. This was be the second time in recent
history that the Los Angeles Pigeon Club hosted the National Pigeon
Association's Grand National. At the previous show there were nearly 7,300 pigeons
shown which qualifies as the largest pigeon show ever in the United States.
The LAPC broke that record by attracting numbers totaling nearly
8,900! The Old Dutch Capuchines were judged by two judges -- Dick
Hamer of Zutphen, Holland and Dieter Ratzki of Germany. There were 145
Capuchines entered and we had a wonderful time watching Dick and Dieter
judge and learning from their expertise.
This was definitely the show to attend.
WINNERS
The Champion of the Show was an outstanding Cream Bar OC
bred by yours truly, Layne Gardner. This bird showed very consistently and has
station and legs which are simply marvelous. Combine this with a long neck
and good body topped off by super ornaments and you have one outstanding
pigeon. Both judges commented that this is likely the best Cream Bar
currently in existence. The photo doesn't display these qualities to good
advantage but if stretch your imagination just a bit I'm sure you can
come up with a great pigeon.
The Reserve Champion was another fine pigeon also belonging to me, a
red OC
with broad, open ornaments, super color, good body, and great legs. He is a
bit soft feathered and has a tendency to be fluffy in the mane.
Best young was a yellow YH bred by myself. She is a definite step up for an
American bred hen and I currently have her mated to the cream bar cock in hopes
of breeding some fine yellows carrying bar which can later be bred back to
bars to help improve them.
Other winners include:
- Best AOC - A kite young hen bred by Tim Ross. Showed
consistent horizontal station.
- Best ARC - A beautiful brown bar young hen bred by
Ron Smith of Oklahoma. This cutey is the first really nice brown bar
we've ever seen.
- Best Almond - Vernon Gardner continues his domination of the
almonds with a fine young cock bird.
- Best Black - Jay Beals showed a wonderful team of blacks at
the show and deservedly took home the top honors in his color.
- Best Tiger - Tina Taylor has come on strong as a top competitor.
At this show her black tiger young cock won best of the tigers.
- Best White - Ron Smith won another best of color with his
white old cock bird. Station and ornaments are improving and Ron is beginning
to establish himself as someone to keep an eye on.
- Best Yellow - The best of the yellows was a wonderful
old cock bird bred by Layne Gardner. This bird has super station and color
and is a fine Capuchine.