A pigeon that regularly tops the Club could be referred to as a Club Champion, similarly with a Federation Champion etc. It used to be considered that distance racing was the main drive in the sport. How far are we able to have our pigeons race back from. In these cases the races were organised on a National Level and it would mean that in the "Blue Riband" race, the winning pigeon would be the Champion for that year. In other hobbies, budgie exhibiting, it is the fancier who is graded as a Champion. You have to qualify through the various grades to reach Champion level. For me, I would rather have pigeons from a Champion fancier than the rare Champion pigeon. These Champion fanciers are the ones who regularly do well in the distance races, either Nationally or in their respective area.