Looks a bit tricky Saturday

[Albert]

30 years ago I thought I would be out of pigeons in ten years, because the story then was pigeon racing will be finished in ten years. And here I am still racing, and as enthusiastic as ever. This is answering NeilA post, not the above.

[Steve Howells]

30 years ago I thought I would be out of pigeons in ten years, because the story then was pigeon racing will be finished in ten years. And here I am still racing, and as enthusiastic as ever. This is answering NeilA post, not the above.

Look around your fed Albert
How many over 70 how many under 50 then add 10 years to the 70 year olds
Or just look at tne decline in rora members wasn’t it 50,000 a few years ago now I believe under 20,000 most or a large number oap’s and time will take its natural toll on them

I can guarantee you that OLR will die out long before club racing does. Far more people are against them than for them and they only keep going because of the potential prize pot at the end. Most people sending to these OLR also race in clubs and if club racing finished so would the entries for the OLR. I can’t disagree with the drop in fanciers but the birdages haven’t dropped by the same percentages. Less members keeping more pigeons. As Neil says most members enjoy having the birds around them and excitedly waiting for their return. These people will stop pigeons all together rather than send to OLR. We have a good strong club and not one member sends to any OLR, or would. We did have a member who has recently had to go into a care home who won one of the early RPRA OLR. He said the thrill of winning that was nothing like the enjoyment of club racing and the camaraderie of a club.

I wouldn't be so sure Andy.If club racing dried up I'd still keep a few pairs for OlR. I agree It's not like racing your own birds in your own back yard. OLR for me is not really all about the money ( which may sound strange) it's about putting my birds up against some of the biggest names in the sport and seeing if I can give them a punch on the nose . Two years ago I entered 10 into the Pattaya race, and on two occasions I put a bird in front of Ganus Hooymans and Pipa all entering +120. Their birds sell for thousands you can buy mine for peanuts Last year I entered Thailand masters and had 1st UK 6th open semi final again entering 5 yet still beating the big names with all their fancy pedigree birds. It's fun!!!!