Piet De Weerd Od Breda

[retired]

The subject under focus in this insight is a European called Piet de Weerd. A name known for over 60 years throughout the world's racing pigeon fraternity as a human encyclopaedia of pigeon knowledge and wisdom. While doing a recent article on Jules Janssen for this series de Weerd kept cropping up in my thoughts for in a way both men had similarities in that they both possessed the talent of selecting and pairing racing pigeons to produce champions at breeding and racing. A talent that not many possess and the product of Janssen and de Weerds work have helped to bring into being and ultimately enhanced the modern thoroughbred racing pigeon.

 

 

Piet de weerd was born in a small village near the pigeon mecca of Middleharnis on the island of Overflakkee, Holland 90 years ago and in his secondary school years there made contact with the great distance fancier Ko Nipius. For approximately 5 years (1925-1930) there he learned from Ko Nipius much about the sport realizing that the most important aspect of pigeon management was 'selection'. De Weerd learned that it was a necessity which would not come overnight and that one had to practice, practice and practice. It was through this realization and his experience relating to it that de Weerd in time was given the title of 'Pigeonologist', for he has travelled the world selecting couples for the best fanciers and in his time has rubbed shoulders with Stassart, Bricoux, Duray and Jan Aarden. In fact as I have written in an article on the Aarden dynasty while doing research for it de Weerd was referred to by others as the architect of the Aarden strain. Apparently having gifted Aarden with the number 1 dam of the Aardens- the famous 'Oomens-duivin' - de Weerd upon visiting Steenbergen would bring other pigeons for crossing with Aardens own stock. Thus the reason for referring to the concept of 'architect' when relating to de Weerd and the concept of 'builder' when relating to Aarden.

 

The subject of this piece however has also written 5 books on the sport and scores of articles throughout the world's fancy press as well as being paid to travel over past decades holding seminars and selecting sessions. In his time he is also the founder of the world renowned Interpalomas Lofts where some of the best representatives of the modern racing pigeon have first saw the light of day and been paired by an expert selector. For that is what Piet de Weerd is extremely proud to call himself 'a selector'. And his expertise in this field can be vouched for by the Kipp Bros of Germany and also Raymund Hermes of that country watered by the Rhine; as well as other numerous outstanding fanciers of the modern era. In addition Piet de Weerd along with his son Henk have created a strain that has won from Barcelona into Holland. One of their best pigeons was Samurai who won: National Barcelona 1994 against 7,767 pigeons including 2nd International against 26,807 pigeons; 49th National Barcelona 1993 against 10,574 pigeons and 79th International Barcelona against 33,146 pigeons; 119th National Barcelona 1992 against 7,243 pigeons, 251st National St.Vincent 1992 against 26,296 pigeons. The son, Henk, as well as being the founder of the famous Belgica de Weerd products for pigeons also flies in partnership with Lei Kurvers and the latter combination is one of the best in Europe today. One of their best birds is 'Perpignan King' a past 1st Ace Pigeon of Europe in the International races as well as being the best cock at the Internationals for a period of 5 years. The partnership also won the International race from Perpignan in 2004 with Malaysia King.

 

Piet de Weerd has given his life to the thoroughbreds of the sky in that his talent enhanced the sport by ensuring that an astute brain prepared the ground for the fruition of stock that would reach and conquer the distances. In his day he has influenced hundreds of fanciers world-wide and no doubt his love of the racing pigeon has influenced his son Henk in the latters work to see that only the healthy will see the inside of a pannier, for only the healthy can survive and win. What better legacy.