Brian Sheppard - Britains 1St International Winner

[retired]

 

When I began my research into the role of Brian Sheppard in long distance pigeon racing it quickly became apparent that if any English fancier was going to break the grip of other Europeans on the International stage it was this well liked sportsman. For research showed a dedicated committed pigeoner who has experienced success over the years since he first entered into the fancy. First on the north road with the West of England North Road Combine and then on the south road with clubs such as the National Flying Club, the Central Southern Classic Flying Club and the British Barcelona Club. Which saw the emergence of such as Joseph- 3rd Open Nantes National (amongst other positions), Jingles- 6th, 33rd and 34th Pau National, Reggie- 14th Open Pau National... to name but a few. A few who along with others won many awards including the prestigious National Flying Club's Averages.

 

To be successful at the distance our subject initially based his team upon some old British breeds such as John Price of Wales, R. Trueman Dicken and R & M Venner of the West Country. Other bloodlines were to follow including birds from Peter Titmuss and George Hunt. They never let him down. In fact in the hands of an astute manager success followed success and by all accounts others were happy at his triumphs because Brian Sheppard is in the minds of many one of the old school. Apparently a gentle man of the sport, an opinion confirmed by Tommy Cummings of Ireland.

 

The Sheppard lofts contain the best of quality stock and therefore are not a part of the modern trend of quantity before quality. Indeed they have to be of the best to face the English Channel during the months of May, June and July each year. A temperamental course that has been the watery graveyard of many courageous pigeons since the origins of the sport. A course

faced and conquered by the Legend, Brian's International winner from Dax in 2003 at 507 miles. This was a magnificent achievement and perhaps it is our subject's greatest victory in a long and illustrious career in the sport.To be 1st National Flying Club was something in itself but to beat the rest of Europe was monumental.

 

The Legend is a product of Brian Sheppard's policy of looking for and purchasing stock that can enhance his own family. For the Dax winner is partly of Brian's own family and the Sumo bloodlines of Jos Thone of Belgium.

 

History has been made by the Legend and Brian Sheppard in the pigeon sport of Europe as well as their own country. To his friends no better person could have been the English trail blazer. May he have many more years of success with future Legends.