TAVEIRNE GUST – RIGOLE FRANS “Dream Breed Lofts”- Koolskamp ( Belgium )

This is the Story of one of the best breeding lofts which have ever existed in European ’ s racing pigeons sport.
In pedigrees of some very famous pigeons , we noticed that only the ringnumber is mentioned … but because this ringnumber was appearing so many times, we started searching to find the real origin of these pigeons.

Mr. Taveirne Gust : a very special person.
When he was 9 years old , his neighbour said to him : “on this piece of paper you can read the adress where one of my good pigeons arrived after a bad race. If you go overthere and find my good pigeon, you can keep it. IN fact , these words were meant as a joke, but little Gust took his bicycle and drove 40 Kms one way, to find this pigeon. After some hours , his parents were in panic , because they couldn’t find little Gust. When he came back very late in the evening , with his pigeon in a box, teh old pigeon fanciers said to eachother “this young man will become a real pigeon fancier …!” … and they were right !
His parents wanted him to go to school first and put him in a french speaking school, where he had to stay whole week. After 14 days , little Gust just run away from School and later on his father found him back in the pigeon loft while he was feeding the pigeons.
His father decided to build a small pigeon loft for Gust ; his father and his uncle had their own pigeon loft i the same garden. But when they noticed that the pigeons of little Gust always arrived between 10 and 15 minutes later than theirs, they started wondering …So after a while little became the “loft manager” of his father’s and uncle’s pigeons.
But Gust wanted to participate on the big races, so he asked his father and unbcle tobuy good pigeons for him.
They bought the best middle distance pigeons at all different champions lofts, started breeidng with these pigeons and kept the good ones.
Gust started competing the “big champions of those days…”; so next step was that Gust wanted to become the biggest champion of Belgium.
His father and uncle were supporting him and Gust started buying the best pigeons of Belgium.
At that moment Gust’s breeding loft became stronger and stronger and more and more champions started considering Gust Taveirne as their big competitor; and Gust felt this sort of “panic” … he started feeling himself “important “ , which gave him extra energy and motivation to become stronger and stonger.
Against the biggest champions of those days, he had impressing victories : on the “Big Provincial Angoulème Race” he made the following result ( we are in the 70’s !!) : 1st , 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 16th, etc. against 1.143 pigeons AND AGAINST THIS BIGGEST COMPETITORS !

KING OF THE NATIONALS
Gust Taveirne wanted to make a step forwards and participate on the National and International Races.
But “participating” was not good enough … he wanted to win them !
But to win these National Races, Gust needed more exceptional pigeons to enter into his breeding loft. So he went looking after the best pigeons of the country in those days.

1st SIDE OF THE “GOLDEN TRIANGLE”
“BLAUWEN ANGOULEMER” 2085635/67
Winner of 1st Olympic Pigeon at the Olympiade in Düsseldorf – Germany !
Someone told Gust that the famous “Blauwen Angoulemer” 635/67 owned by Mr. Germain Imbrecht was for sale; in all pigeon magazins, this pigen was called “The Wonder of Bornival” ( Bornival is the place where Mr. Germain Imbrecht lives )
This supercrack was a direct son of the legendary “OUDE NAESSENS
the “Blauwen  Angoulemer” won following results :
2nd National Brive / 2.845 pigeons.
3rd National Barcelona  / 5.901 pigeons
2nd Provincial Angoulème
3rd Provincial Angoulème
6th Provincial Angoulème
10th Provincial Angoulème

This “Blauwen Angoulemer” won in total 25.000,- euro on prize-money and represented Belgium at the Olympiade in Düsseldorf – Germany.
The bloodlines of this pigeon were Stichelbout at father’s side and Desmet-Matthys at mother’s side. When Gust Taveirne visited Germain Imbrecht to buy this extremely good pigeon, he went back home after a while, because he didn’t have enough money in his pocket ; the price was 400.000,- Belgian francs ( 10.000,- euro ) ; Around midnight same day, he drove back to the place Bornival in the french part of Belgium and put 400.000,- Belgian francs on Mr. Imbrechts table , just like with a card game…. Gust took the “Blauwen Angoulemer” home and the next morning the international pigeon-world was in a kind of “shock” … because what nobody had been expenting , happened !!! : Gust Taveirne had bought the “Blauwen Angoulemer” !!!!
Afterwards the “Blauwen Angoulemer” 635/67 became a excellent  breeder in the loft of Mr. Gust Taveirne :
He was the grandfather of worlfamous “Witpen Kennedy” of Gerard and Michel Vanhee,  as well as the grandfather of the 1st International Barcelona-Winner 1986 at the lofts of Mr. William Dirickx.
Other descendants of the “Blauwen Angoulemer” 635/67 won following top results :
5° National Limoges / 11.503 pigeons at the lofts of Mr. Antoine Landuyt ( 1997 ) ; 9° National Dax / 3.276 pigeons ( 1997 ) , 41° National Perpignan ( 19997 ) and 5° International Pau ( 2002 ) at the lofts of Mr. Ivan Delrue ( these last 3 winners mentioned owned by Mr. Ivan delrue wher all of them BORN at the lofts of r. Taveirne and Mr; Rigole !!! … they even still have all the parents in their lofts !!!  ).
2nd Side of “THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE” :
“EEN-WITPEN” 3079342/64
Winner of 1st National Ace Pigeon K.B.D.B.  Long Distance in 1969.
The owner of this pigeon was called mr. Theo Marchand; the “Eén-Witpen” 342/64 won following prizes :
1st National Angoulème  1.314 pigeons
2nd National Cahors   6.292 pigeons
4th National Cahors   4.513 pigeons
11th National Bordeaux  1.619 pigeons
62° National Brive   2.236 pigeons
1° Prize Clermont     287 pigeons
2° Prize Angoulème     810 pigeons
2° Prize Angoulème     672 pigeons
4° Prize Dourdan     318 pigeons
5° Prize Dourdan     845 pigeons
5° Prize Angoulème     984 pigeons
5° Prize Dourdan     229 pigeons
7° Prize Angoulème 1.180 pigeons
7° Prize Dourdan     508 pigeons
7° Prize Dourdan     216 pigeons
8° Prize Dourdan     680 pigeons
9° Prize Dourdan     608 pigeons
11° Prize Dourdan     676 pigeons
14° Prize Dourdan     702 pigeons
22° Prize Angoulème 1.120 pigeons
as well as 1st prizes on 100 Km and 300 Km – Races ( that’s one of the reasons why the Taveirne-Rigole-pigeons are winning first prizes on all distances ! ).
The “Eén-Witpen” 342/64 had at father’s side the following bloodlines : “Witpen” Hector Desmet , which was a son of the worldfamous “Opgeblazene” from Stichelbout !  Mother’s side we find a daughter of the legendary “Figaro” from Catrysse !
Insiders even confirmed that same “Eén-Witpen” 342/64 should have been 1° National K.B.D.B. Ace Pigeon in 1967 as well, if the owner would have enterred his results, which he didn’t.
One of the top-references of this “Eén-Witpen” 342/64, as a breeder, is the “Manue” 3240159/95, 1st National K.B.D.B. Ace Pigeon Long Distance 1998, of which the grandmother is a direct Taveirne-Rigole-pigeon 3268003/90, line of “Eén-Witpen” 342/64.

3rd Side of “THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE” :
“WITSLAGER-DESENDER” 3364845/70
Winner of 1st National Ace pigeon Long Distance K.B.D.B. Long Distance, winning following prizes :
3rd National St. Vincent / 3.735 pigeons
5th National Cahors / 2.825 pigeons
10th National Montauban / 2.155 pigeons
This pigeon has the purest Huyskens-Van Riel – blood in its veins.
Now follows a unique story about this pigeons “Witslager Desender” :
The backery of Gust and his father had to be renewed and they neede a bigger space to make it more professional; so they needed to buy a piece of land which was for sale just next to their house. Price for this land was 15.000,- euro ( 600.000,- Belgian francs in those days ).
Several nights, Gust couldn’t sleep because he knew that the Number-1 pigeon of Belgium, 1st National Ace Pigeon K.B.D.B. Long Distance , called “Witslager Desender” 845/70    was for sale ! His records – see above.
So instead of buying the piece of land, Gust wanted to buy to Best Pigeon of Belgium; “Witslager 845/70” means “White Wing”.
When he arrived at the house of Mr. Desender he notices that Mr. Desender was drinking champaign together with a japanese pigeon fancier, like they were celebrating something …. Gust felt very bad , because he thught that the “Witslager Desender” was sold allready … but when Mr. Desender told him that the pigeon wasn’t sold yet, Gust took the huge amount of money of 600.000,- Belgian francs out of his pocket and spread it on Mr. Desender’s table, just like with a card game.
At the same moment the japanese fanciers was drinking of his glass of champaign … when he saw what Gust was doing he almost got crazy and started shouting “ i am the buyer and nobody else !!”.
Gust asked Mr. Desender if he was happy with this amount, put the pigeon in his basket and went away.
Again the international pigeon world was in shock ….
Gust realized that he had done the best deal in his pigeon carreer, because the “Golden Triangle” was closed now :  two 1st National Ace Pigeons and 1 Olympic Pigeons were in his loft now : Gust realized that he had made the strong basis now to breed top winners. And that’s exactly what happened; still today , after more than 30 years , Gust and his new pigeon partner Frans are breeding 1st National winners and top-pigeons out of the combination of “Blauwen Angoulèmer” x “Eén-Witpen” x “Witslager Desender”.
Descendants of “Witslager Desender” 845/70 won following top results :
1° + 2° National Limoges / 7.083 pigeons ( 1978 ) at the lofts of Mr. Roger Florizoone.
1° National Limoges in 1987 was a grandson of “Witslager-Desender” 845/70
1° National Ace Pigeon K.B.D.B. Young Birds 1983, called “Picco Bello” 059/83 was grandson of “Witslager-Desender 845/70”
1° National Tulle , called “Kleine Felix” 3340032/88 owned by Mr. Roger Vereecke was also a descendant of same “Witslager-Desender” 845/70 ( Gust Taveirne gave the “Witslager-Desender” 845/70 in application to Mr. Vereecke for a period of 2 months ); out of this worldfamous “Felix-Line” came another Top Winner , called  “Little Barcelona” 3150083/94
1996 : Barcelona International  79° 20.129 pigeons
1997 : Barcelona International  51°  24.908 pigeons
1998 : Barcelona International  16°  24.139 pigeons

Descendants of same “Witslager-Desender” 845/70 won following prizes at the lofst of Mr. Gust Taveirne himself :
1° National Brive /  11.943 pigeons    75 % “Witslager-Desender” 845/70
8° National Cahors  /    7.528 pigeons 100 % “     “
8° National Pau  /    2.180 pigeons    75 %  “     “
13° National Brive  /  11.943 pigeons   75 %  “     “
13° International Pau /    7.760 pigeons    75 %  “      “
14° National Brive  /  23.510 pigeons    75 %  “     “
14° National Bordeaux /    5.076 pigeons    50 %  “     “

Gust Taveirne started crossing these 3 breeding lines buy pairing up for example a daughter of “Witslager Desender” with a son of  “Blauwen Angoulèmer” and “Eén-Witpen” : this combination created so many top winners !!!

Today ’s Winners
1. “MISS LA SOUTERRAINE” 3190101/98 : bred at the lofts of Taveirne-Rigole and raced by Luc Sioen.
This wonderfull blue hen has won :
La Souterraine National    1° / 1.558 pigeons  in 1999, also winner of 6 x 1st Prize in Club and Province.
In her pedigree we find back the “WITSLAGER-DESENDER” 845/70 and the “EEN-WITPEN” 342/64,
so 2 x 1° National K.B.D.B.-Ace Pigeon, in combination with the purest blood of the worldfamous “TEEN” 2350008/83 from Mr. Gommaire Verbruggen , winner of 1° Semi-National Vierzon / 1.907 pigeons and 2° National Chateauroux / 10.417 pigeons ( son of  worldfamous breeidng pair “Schilderij” 5349262/79  “schilderij” means “painting”   x “Klein Aske” 2367021/77 ).

2. “INDIRA” 3240052/00 : bred at the lofts of Taveirne-Rigole and raced by Luc Sioen.
This fabulous dark chequered hen has won :
La Souterraine National   1°  /   2.338 pigeons ( highest velocity  21.596 pigeons  !!!! )
In this hen, we find back the combination of “WITSLAGER DESENDER” 845/70 and “OLYMPIADE GRAN CANARIA” 210/88 ( so 1 x 1° National K.B.D.B. Champion and 1 x 1° Olympic Pigeon ) : moreover this hen “Indira” 052/00 has the almost the same feather colour BUT the white spot just next to the eye is typical for the “Olympiade Gran Canaria-pigeons” –  see his sons “Montauban” 735/93, “Narbonne” 185/92 and “Admiral” 675/96 …

3 . “THE 137” 3261137/97 : bred at the lofts of Taveirne-Rigole and raced by Stany Hollevoet.
This blue white feather cock is, without any doubts,  one the best pigeons ever existed in pigeon sport :  Winner of :
Cahors National  4° /   11.838 pigeons
Limoges National  6° /   11.799 pigeons
In this pigeon we find back the blood of the “WITSLAGER DESENDER” 845/70 x  “EEN-WITPEN” 342/64 and the “WEERLICHT” 3314722/83 from Gaston & Danny Devooght ( Winner of 2° National Perpignan / 4.612 p., 70° National Montauban / 4.017 p., 99° National Narbonne / 2.152 p. ).
Out of these same pigeons came the “Indira” 052/00 : the father and the mother of this “137/97” are namely the grandparents of the “Indira” 052/00 !!

4. “NIKITA” 3268577/92 : bred and raced at the loft of Taveirne-Rigole
Winner of :
Brive National   1° /   11.943 pigeons
In this pigeon, we find back 2 sides of the “Golden Triangle”, namely “WITSLAGER-DESENDER” 845/70 and “BLAUWEN ANGOULEMER”,  as well as the worlsfamous “CHICO” 3400328/74 from Pol Bostyn ( son of “BENONIE II ringnumber 3335297/71 ; Chico 328/74 : winner of 1° National Brive + 1° National Argenton + 2° National Tulle !!!!! ) AND “SUPERCRACK CRUSSON” 457421/68 ( France ) winner of 1° National St. Vincent + 1° National Barcelona + 1° National Narbonne  !!!
Mr. Taveirne and Mr. Rigole bred a cock out of the same parents of “Nikita” 577/92, called “BRIVE I” 3334470/91, which became a golden Breeder.

Belgian Pigeon Legends
What nobody knows is that the following big champions went buying pigeons out of this “Golden Triangle Combination” :
Gerard and Michel Vanhee
Jan Grondelaers
Noel Peiren
Decroix Brothers
Robert Venus
Noel Lippens
Roger Florizoone
Thos Peeters
Raoul Verstraete
Roger Vereecke
Louis Van Loon

This is the pedigree of their 1st National Pau-Winner.

The “Jonge Felix” 3160054/80 : Winner of 1st National Pau : his son called the “Kleine Felix” 3340032/88 : Winner of 1st National Tulle :  mother of “Kleine Felix 032/88” was a granddaughter of “Witslager Desender” of Gust Taveirne !

1989 : Start of Combination Taveirne-Rigole
Gust Taveirne asked his best friend Frans Rigole to create a combination between their 2 lofts. Frans Rigole was one of the best Middle Distance champions of those days in the Province of West of Flanders.
Together they built 60 Meter of brand new racing lofts and won in teh next 2 – 3 years over 50 times between the first 100 Prizes on the National  and International races.

1993 : New goal : breeding top winners
In that year they stopped racing pigeons and concentrated 100% on the breeding of a maximum of topwinners.
They made this decision for several reasons : Gust just bought the biggest disco place of the Province West of Flanders and wanted to help his son launching the project and make it successfull; Gust also started professionally in Show Jumping Horses, because he noticed that his granddaughter was a real talent with horses ( which she has been prooving in the meantime, competing as a 14 year-old girl against the professionals who are 15 years older than her …. ! ); but the most important reason why they stopped racing pigeons is that you can only do 1 think right : racing AND breeding don’t go together : or breeding … or racing  : yes !
Why ? Because if you only concentrate on the breeding then you can put your best pigeons in the breeding loft.
People who race and breed have to keep their best pigeons in the racing lofts and they are not able to breed enough out of them and try out several crossings.
The last 10 years confirmed that the decision which they toook , was the right one !
Let’s have a look at some examples :

Winner of this unique record-list :
2nd National Montauban  /   6.814 pigeons
6th National Narbonne  /   6.513 pigeons
9th National Cahors   /   8.078 pigeons
75th National Montauban  /   6.721 pigeons
83rd National Brive             / 23.510 pigeons
115th National Cahors  /   7.528 pigeons
138th National Bourges         / 16.725 pigeons

This is the pedigree :
This “VITAL” 798/88 is a grandson of  the “BLOIS TAVEIRNE” 3174374/73, original Gust Taveirne-pigeon, out of the “Golden Triangle Combination” !!!!
In almost every pedigree of Champion Noel Lippens, we find back the “BLOIS TAVEIRNE” from Gust Taveirne.
Also the “Bolero” 3322144/91, Winner of 1st National Brive 1994 against 4.831 pigeons, is a gr. grandson of same “BLOIS TAVEIRNE” 374/73 ; also “FIGO” 3314050/96, 3rd National Ace Pigeon K.B.D.B. Long Distance 2001, as well as Olympic Pigeon in South Africa : he is a son of “Vital 798/88” ! … so again “Blois Taveirne 374” !!
Other descendant of “Blois Taveirne” 374/73 won following prices :

1° National Brive  4.831 pigeons  1994
1° National Narbonne 4.015 pigeons  1992
2° National Montauban   7.352 pigeons  1997
2° National Mntauban  6.814 pigeons  1993
3° National Brive           11.430 pigeons  1982
3° National Narbonne  6.531 pigeons  1993
5° National Limoges  6.443 pigeons  1986
6° National Narbonne  6.531 pigeons  1993
6° National Brive   3.587 pigeons  1982
7° National Tulle   5.484 pigeons  1992
8° National Montauban  2.573 pigeons  1982
8° National Limoges  6.689 pigeons  1982
9° National Narbonne  4.680 pigeons  1992
9° National Brive           12.347 pigeons  1983
9° National Brive   4.831 pigeons  1994
8° National Cahors  8.078 pigeons  1993
9° National Narbonne  4.175 pigeons
15° National Limoges  6.443 pigeons
15° National Montauban  5.335 pigeons 1992
15° National Brive  4.831 pigeons  1994
15° National Brive  3.719 pigeons  1995
15° National Brive  3.970 pigeons
18° National Limoges    22.435 pigeons 1990
18° National Brive 4.144 pigeons  1994
19° National Bourges    17.048 pigeons  1993
19° National Marseille  1.613 pigeons  1991
20° National Brive  4.719 pigeons  1995
20° National Narbonne  6.167 pigeons  1987
22° National Perpignan 4.694 pigeons  1997
24° National Brive         21.012 pigeons  1992
24° National Marseille  1.613 pigeons  1987
24° National Dax   3.276 pigeons  1997
25° National Tulle  3.029 pigeons
26° National Narbonne  6.092 pigeons  1996
29° National Bourges    17.781 pigeons  1990
32° National Brive  3.970 pigeons  1995
36° National Tulle  4.470 pigeons
39° National Limoges  8.807 pigeons
40° National Cahors 4.582 pigeons  1985
40° National Perpignan  2.639 pigeons

etc. etc.

One thing is more than clear now : the “Blois Taveirne” was a unique Breeder , bred and owned by Gust Taveirne.

NOW !! WE HAVE SOME MORE WORLDREFERENCES  !! …. Ladies and Gentlemen, may we present to You :

MASTER GABY VANDENABEELE !!!!
Superman Gaby Vandenabeele has built up his strain with a very high percentage of “VITAL-BLOOD” from Noel Lippens.
Have a look at his 6th National Bourges Winner 2002 against 13.007 pigeons, with his “Kleine Bliksem” 3031062/01 ; he is a full brother to the famous “Bliksem”, Winner of :
( see catalogue of Gaby page 43 ) :
Chateauroux   2nd against 4.662 pigeons
Poitiers   4th against 1.014 pigeons
Ruffec   4th against 1.778 pigeons
Poitiers  1st against  1.488 pigeons
Périgueux   5th against 1.119 pigeons
Both are children of the breeding pair “Kolonel” 008/92 ( Son of “Wittenbuik” ) x “Rita” 340/93 ; tjis golden breeding hen called “Rita” is a direct daughter of “VITAL” 798/88 x “PRINSES” ; from “Vital” we allready know that he is a grandson of “BLOIS TAVEIRNE” ; but also the “PRINSES” is a granddaughter of teh same “BLOIS TAVEIRNE” 374/73 !
Like this we can give you any examples, like :
“GOLDEN WITTENBUIK” 3024809/98 : son of “Wittenbuik” 112/88 x “KATHY” 339/93 ; this golden breeding hen called “Kathy” is also a daughter of same pair “VITAL” x “PRINSES” , so 2 x “Blois-Taveirne”-blood again !

2003 :  TAVEIRNE-RIGOLE BUYS
BEST “VITAL” DESCENDANT !
We are talking now about a pigeon called “THE VITAL POMEROL” 3104730/97 : if we look at the records , won by this pigeon, we have to ask ourselves : “Is this 730/97 the Best Pigeon in Pigeon History on distances between 500 and 700 Kms ? ” ; the 730/97 is
winner of :
La Souterraine National   1° /   11.300 pigeons
Cahors National    2° /   11.838 pigeons
Souillac National                       48° /     6.035 pigeons
Chateauroux Provincial   9° /     1.439 pigeons
Chatearoux Semi-National              78° /     8.138 pigeons
Why Mr. Taveirne and Mr. Rigole wanted to buy this pigeon ?
Actually for 2 reasons : it has been typical for Mr. Taveirne and Mr. Rigole that  in the past they allways wanted to buy pigeons of which everone thought that they were NOT for sale. In this case , the 730/97 has never been sold to Asian countries, although all intermediaries in pigeon business have been trying so hard.
Mr. Taveirne and Mr. Rigole have allways bene succeedig in buying pigeons which others coudn’t buy; they try to buy such a pigeon by building up a friendship with the owner during months and months and when the tme is right they go over to ACTION !
Of course there is a second reason why Mr; Taveirne and Mr. Rigole really wanted to buy this 730/97 : father of this pigeon is called the “RODE VITAL” 335/95 ; and his father is a brother of the father of “VITAL” 798/88 ; the mother of the 730/97 is a granddaughter of same “VITAL” 798/88. So this means that in both parents we find back the blood of “BLOIS TAVEIRNE” 374/73 …. !!
From this “VITAL POMEROL” 730/97 , Mr. Taveirne and Mr. Rigole bought the total collection of children , full brothers and full sisters, AS WELL AS THE PARENTS !

MASTER GASTON DEVOOGHT !!!!!
“MANU” 3240159/95 : Winner of 1st National Ace Pigeon K.B.D.B. Long Distance 1998 with following results
Cahors National   3rd against 11.090 pigeons
Perpignan National   8th against 5.830 pigeons
Perpignan International 12th against 16.025 pigeons
Brive National   399th against 23.142 pigeons
Grandmother at motherside of thsi Super-pigeon called “Manu” 159/95, is an original Taveirne-Rigole – pigeon, ringnumber 3368004/90, purest blood of “EEN-WITPEN” 3079342/64 , remember Side 2 of  “The Golden Triangle”.

MASTER GERARD VANHEE !!!!
The Story about the Golden “Bambino-Family” .
The famous old “Bambino” 3106450/76 was paired up with the golden breeding hen called “Daughter Napoleon” 3109152/79 , daughter of “Napoleon” x 3107127/77, which was a daughter of “WITSLAGER-DESENDER” 3364845/70 from Gust Taveirne.
Also the mother of the famous “Witpen Kennedy”  ,from Vanhee, was a direct daughter of the “BLAUWEN ANGOULEMER” 635/67

The Story of the “Malfait-Transfer”.
During the last 20 years, the Mailfait Brothers  ( Serge and Jürgen ) belonged to the Best Long Distance Lofts in Europe, Winners of 1st International Dax, etc.
This loft was based on the purest blood of Stichelbout, Van der Espt and Catrysse. One of their most important pigeons was the  “Olympiade Gran Canaria” 3235210/88; this pigeon represented Belgium at the Olympiade in Gran Canaria, winner of following records :
Dax National      64° /   3.236 pigeons
Perpignan National    70° /   3.306 pigeons
Dax International     76° /   4.730 pigeons
Cahors National   78° /   7.528 pigeons
Perpignan International        138° / 10.444 pigeons
Brive National            209° / 21.012 pigeons
Montauban National            241° /   6.721 pigeons
Tulle National            270° /   5.484 pigeons
Moreover this “Olympiade Gran Canaria” 210/88 became one of the best Breeders of Europe. These are some of his children :
1. “The International” 3353494/93 :
Winner of :
Dax International       1°/    6.465 pigeons
Limoges National  423° /    9.222 pigeons
Limoges National  593° /    8.883 pigeons
Brive Natioanl  645° /  21.390 pigeons
2. “The Montauban” 3347735/93 :
Winner of :
Dax National     23° /    3.276 pigeons
Dax International    51° /    7.194 pigeons
Narbonne National    64° /    6.092 pigeons
Pau National     75° /    2.268 pigeons
Montauban National    86° /    5.553 pigeons
Narbonne National    89° /    4.327 pigeons
Dax National   196° /    4.170 pigeons
Perpignan National  201° /    4.694 pigeons
Dax National   243° /    2.541 pigeons
Cahors National  309° /    9.043 pigeons
Perpignan Internat.  315° /  12.367 pigeons
Dax National   336° /    4.066 pigeons
Pau International  390° /    7.520 pigeons
Dax International  491° /    5.776 pigeons
Dax International  495° /  10.511 pigeons
Dax International  724° /  12.880 pigeons
3. “The Joris” 3327186/94 :
Winner of :
Dax International    14° /  12.880 pigeons
Dax National     14° /    4.066 pigeons
Montauban National    21° /    7.352 pigeons
Brive National  126° /    2.589 pigeons
Brive National  250° /    5.736 pigeons
Limoges National  267° /  16.854 pigeons
Chateauroux Prov.  354° /    7.177 pigeons
Chateauroux Prov. 394° /    6.166 pigeons
4. “The Worlchamp” 3154580/95 :
Winner of :
Marseille National  166° /    3.246 pigeons
Pau National   412° /    2.268 pigeons
Perpignan National  585° /    5.885 pigeons
Marseille Internat.  840° /  19.968 pigeons
5. “De Narbonne”  3124185/92 :
Winner of :
Narbonne National    36° /    5.006 pigeons
Narbonne National    49° /    2.349 pigeons
Narbonne National    31° /    2.383 pigeons
Pau National     73° /    1.953 pigeons
Perpignan National  144° /    4.694 pigeons
Perpignan National  177° /    4.889 pigeons
Pau International  175° /    6.783 pigeons
Perpignan Internat.  230° /  12.367 pigeons
Perpignan Internat.   295° /  12.551 pigeons
Pau International  286° /    6.494 pigeons
Barcelona National  471° /  12.678 pigeons
6. “The Cahors “ 3129388/93 :
Winner of :
Cahors National     39° /    9.043 pigeons
Chateauroux Provincial    86° /    2.646 pigeons
Narbonne National       107° /    7.325 pigeons
Chateauroux Provincial  151° /    4.329 pigeons
Limoges National   115° /  18.608 pigeons
Chateauroux Provincial 227° /    5.715 pigeons
Narbonne National   196° /    6.021 pigeons
Montauban National   484° /    8.774 pigeons
Brive National   473° /  20.611 pigeons
Narbonne National   487° /    6.228 pigeons
Narbonne National   547° /    5.896 pigeons
Brive National   657° /  21.390 pigeons
Chateaurox Provincial  139° /    4.268 pigeons

Winner of :
Poitiers Provincial      5° /       459 pigeons
Poitiers Provincial    17° /    1.424 pigeons
Poitiers Provincial    31° /    3.505 pigeons
Narbonne Semi-Nat.   50°  /    2.168 pigeons
Narbonne National  116° /    6.228 pigeons
Poitiers Provincial 217° /    2.922 pigeons
Périgueux National  243° /    5.739 pigeons
Limoges Provincial  233° /    4.848 pigeons
Périgueux National  377° /    6.981 pigeons
Limoges National  554° /  21.313 pigeons
“History repeats all the time …” : as Gust Taveirne and his new partner Frans Rigole had allways been big fans of Top Record-pigeons with the blood of  Stichelbout and Catrysse in their veins, they were really interested in this loft of the Mailfait Brothers; moreover they believed that in this loft they could find not just some good record pigeons, but moreover a Unique Breeding Family !
They decided to visit the Mailfait Brothers and buy the “Olympiade Gran Canaria” and his 7 Supercracks of sons mentioned here above. With this transfer they could say that they bought the best Long Distance Family of 90’s !

The last Top – Reference that we want to put in the spotlights is Mr. Ivan Delrue, living near the Northsea.
Thanks 3 direct Dream Breed Loft-hens ( “Nera” 3261104/91, “Marissa” 3268931/92, “Priscilla” 3307871/93 … all 3 from the line of “Blauwen Angoulèmer” 635/67 he succeeded on the National and International races like this  :
1° National Marseille   1.450 pigeons
2° National Marseille   2.696 pigeons
2° National Brive                         18.416 pigeons
3° National Marseille   3.137 pigeons
3° International Marseille              15.584 pigeons
3° National Montauban   7.352 pigeons
5° National Brive   4.719 pigeons
7° Narbonne    6.092 pigeons
8° National Cahors   9.043 pigeons
9° National Dax  3.276 pigeons
9° National Cahors            11.090 pigeons
11° National Bourges           13.572 pigeons
14° National Perpignan 4.694 pigeons
19° National Cahors   9.043 pigeons
20° National Narbonne 5.006 pigeons
28° International Dax  7.194 pigeons
30° Internat. Perpignan        12.367 pigeons
32° National Tulle   5.132 pigeons
35° National Limoges          18.608 pigeons
37° National Périgueux 6.981 pigeons
39° National Limoges          10.866 pigeons
41° National Perpignan 4.694 pigeons
42° National Brive            23.142 pigeons
44° National Tulle   6.144 pigeons
44° National Limoges  9.789 pigeons
46° National Brive   2.589 pigeons
48° National Pau   2.294 pigeons
49° National Brive              18.416 pigeons
52° National Pau   2.294 pigeons
55° National Montauban 5.495 pigeons
57° National Brive   2.589 pigeons
58° National Perpignan 4.694 pigeons
58° National Brive   5.736 pigeons
58° National Pau   2.112 pigeons
61° National Marseille  4.356 pigeons
65° Internatioal Perpignan   12.367 pigeons
68° National Perpignan  4.694 pigeons
69° National Perpignan  4.694 pigeons
70° National Marseille 2.689 pigeons

NUMBER – 1 BARCELONA-PIGEON
The best Barcelona-flyer from the last 100 years is the “KING BARCELONA” 4547562/92, owned by Mr. Stefaan Meremans, living in a place called Zottegem in the East of Flanders Province.
This “King Barcelona” 562/92 won following pizes :
Barcelona National     2° /  12.678 pigeons
Barcelona Internat.     4° /  24.139 pigeons
Barcelona National      67°/  10.088 pigeons
Barcelona Internat     142°/  20.129 pigeons
Barcelona National          146°  /  12.731 pigeons
Barcelona National          187°  /    9.452 pigeons
Barcelona National          464°  /  12.966 pigeons
Perpignan National            64°  /    4.889 pigeons
Perpignan International    101° /  12.551 pigeons
Perpignan National           103° /    4.694 pigeons
Perpignan International    160° /  12.367 pigeons

When Gust Taveirne and frans Rigole saw this record-list they went to mr. Meremans’ place to buy the “King Barcelona” 562/92, but the owner didn’t want to sell it, because he was planning a total auction and he wanted to put his “King Barcelona” as “attention attracting point”.
When he went to his breeding loft, together with Gust Taveirne and Frans rigole, he showed them the 5 Full sisters of the “King Barcelona” ; Gust and Frans realized that they had to react very quick now, because they knew that Mr. Meremans was planning to organize his total auction. So they refused to leave the breeding loft, untill they had the 4 most beautifull of these 5 full sisters in their basket … although they had to pay a huge amount of money. Whey they didn’t buy the 5th ? Because it was an 8-year old hen. Next to thee 4 full sisters they bought a full brother  and a vey nice daughter of the “King Barcelona” 562/92 !
So again this was a very big investment , but one thing they were sure about when they left Mr. Meremans’ place : they had taken away the most important pigeons from this loft; they even didn’t have to go to the total auction anymore, because they knew that they allready bought the best.

When they came home, after some weeks they started pairung up this purest Barcelona-blood with their basic lines of the “Golden Triangle Combination “ : “WITSLAGER-DESENDER” 845/70,  “BLAUWEN ANGOULEMER” 635/67  and  “EEN-WITPEN” 342/64.
With this crossing they wanted to create a new type of pigeon, namely a pigeon which can fly the 500 – 600 – 700 Km-races and survive in case of very hard weather circumstances !

ANOTHER TOP-REFERENCE : MR. ROGER FLORIZOONE : “MISTER BARCELONA”
Mr. Roger Florizoone, who used to be one of the wealthiest people in Belgium, having constructed half of Belgium’s highways, can be called one of the strongest Barcelona-specialists of our Pigeon History !
He is Winner of following Prizes :
Barcelona International   1° in 1976 ( the hottest summer ! )
Barcelona National   1° in 1999
Cahors National   1°
Limoges National   1° and 2° in 1978 :
Dax International   2°
Perpignan National   3°
Winner of  “The Golden Wing” at the National Barcelona Club.
1° National Marathon Champion
1° Westeuropean Marathon Champion
1° Westeuropean Supermarathon Champion in 1999 and 2002 !!
2° National Marathon Champion
3° National Marathon Champion
etc.
The 2 pigeons, which won 1° and 2° National Limoges in 1978 were both grandsons of “WITSLAGER DESENDER”, side 2 of the “GOLDEN TRIANGLE” …
Out of these 2 Limoges-Winners Mr. Florizoone bred many pigeons, so still today we find back the blood of “WITSLAGER DESENDER” 845/70 in this Top-Long Distance Loft !
The most famous pigeon of the Florizoone – loft is called the “WITNEUS”, 3152165/90, Winner of following prizes on Barcelona :
Barcelona National  100° /  11.214 pigeons
Barcelona National  113° /  12.731 pigeons
Barcelona National  135° /  10.068 pigeons
Barcelona National  143° /    9.452 pigeons
Barcelona National  348° /  13.343 pigeons
So this is one of the best Barcelona-Flyers in our Racing Pigeon History.
Moreover the “Witneus” 165/90 prooved to be a Top – Breeder to : he is the father of teh pigeon with Ringnumber 3205840/95, Winner of 1st National Barcelona in 1999 in Mr. Florizoone’s loft !!
Mr. Gust Taveirne and Mr. Frans Rigole are very close friends to Mr. Florizoone and they are proud to say that they are the only loft ( !! ) in Europe who keep 6 children of this “Witneus” in their breeding loft !

H. & H. VERSCHUEREN
In 2002 Henri & Hans Verschueren got 50 young birds direct from the Golden Breeding Lofts of Mr. Taveirne and Mr. Rigole. The cocks were just trained till 200 kms ; the hens participated at 3 National races : Bourges National, Argenton National and La Souterraine National …. This last National race will be registered in all pigeons books as the toughest National race ever ; 20.000 young birds had to stay in the baskets for 8 days because of the extremely bad weather, so they couldn’t be released.
At the 8th day the pigeons were released and only 50% of the pigeons returned back; many pigeons were found dead on the place of release in La Souterraine.
But ! Henri and Hans Verschueren basketed 15 young Taveirne-Rigole hens : AND ALL RETURNED !
Beginning of the Racing Season 2003, same 15 hens participated on Provincial Race of Chateauroux 477 Kms on the 7th , 14th and 21st of June !! : 3 consecutive weeks same 15 hens were basketed on this disctance.
07/06 : against 2.414 pigeons : 64° , 82°, …
14/06 : against 5.349 pigeons : 27°, 33°, 41°, 141°, …
21/06 : against 2.073 pigeons : 38°, 58°, 113°, ….
Then they stayed at home and were prepared for Limoges National of 12th July :
against 21.409 pigeons : 363°, …
On the 2nd of August , all 15 hens were basketed on Perpignan International Race : again many pigeons were lost because of the very hard weather of more than 40 °C; if we look in the International List , we notice that big most of the big Long Distance Champions won 50% prices on this race : Henri & Hans Verschueren won 13 prices with their 15 Taveirne-Rigole-hens :
Perpignan National against 3.954 pigeons : 231°, 371°, 414°, 483°, 580°, 643°, 645°, 717°, 743°, 766°, 800°
Perpignan International against 4.534 pigeons : 251°, 409°, 455°, 532°, 640°, 648°, 717°, 719°, 792°, 820°, 844°, 887°, 1111°

… this story was meant to proove  that the pigeons of Mr. Taveirne and Mr. Rigole have a very high grade of resistance in hard weather circumstances … !

Hans Verschueren