Jelle Outhuijse, Harlingen

[Kyleakin Lofts]

JELLE OUTHUIJSE HARLINGEN

 

An outstanding pigeon in this year’s (2006) International Barcelona belongs to a

young fancier of 39 years - he is Jelle Outhuijse from Harlingen which is a town

right on the sea facing the chain of Frisian Islands that stand guard over the

mainland of the Netherlands. They appear to be there to protect this low-lying

country from the anger of North Sea. Indeed you can get the ferry from Harlingen

to the largest of the Frisian islands, the island of Terschelling.

 

Old Harlingen has been a naval base since the 17th century. The old town has many

pensions and boarding houses but accommodation goes fast in the summer because

of the 90 minute ferry trip to Terschelling, its tourist trade and nature reserves.

Nevertheless Harlingen is historic and attractive. It’s a place in its own right simply

because of its connection with the historic Lutine Bell - the Bell that stands in the

London insurance market of Lloyds. It sounds when Lloyds underwriters lose a ship.

The Lutine was lost in these waters - the Bell being the only item recovered. Lloyds’

main dealing room is its last resting place and a fitting reminder to the danger of

the sea. This is a difficult place to fly pigeons but it is the sort of place where sea

bravery, because of the climate and location, is common. The fanciers of Harlingen

want bravery in their pigeons. Jelle Outhuijse is a relatively young man for this type

of racing, generally you have to have a few years experience to achieve success at

this distance and this type of racing but Jelle has done it at his first attempt.

Morning liberation's flying against other countries are different. Up to now he has

flown midday liberation's in National Races but morning liberation's against other

countries is new to him.

 

Pigeon 1147976.00 is a hen. She was 219th in the International Barcelona flying

1335 km or 834 miles and 68th in the Hens race from 6903 pigeons. . . '976' was

timed at 13.01pm on the second day. On the sire’s side it is out of a pigeon that

was 2nd Nat. from Ruffec while on the dam's side it was off a double eleven flighted

pigeon of the Martha van Geel ' Dolle' strain. This pigeon is also full of marathon

pigeons - Van der Wegen - Braakhuis - Van Wanroy and some Russian or Ukrainian

pigeon that is unfortunately without detail but which you can bet is one of those

long flying 'steppe' pigeons that occasionally get imported for the huge distances

they fly in the Ukraine and Russia.

 

This pigeon is a mixture of blood - all of long distance. In 2004 she flew to Ruffec

(880km) on widowhood then was put on the nest sitting about 10 days at

Barcelona. In the 2004 season she had not reared a single youngster to its full age.

In 2003 she was 25th from St Vincent (1170 km). At the start of the 2004 season in

April she was given a cure for Paratyphus and treatment for Canker. For the last

three days prior to basketing for Barcelona she was fed Pindar Nuts and Snoepzaad

(I don't know what that is) but there is Grit and Piksteen in front of the pigeons at

all times.

 

The loft has a total of 36 pairs of racers and 17 pairs of breeders. The previous

results of this loft in National racing is as follows:- 1st Nat St Vincent 1996 Sector 4

1171 km; 2nd Nat Ruffec 1996 Sector 4 880 km; 10th Nat Ruffec - 2nd Nat Brive

927 km; 6th Nat Bergerac 883 km; 8th Nat Ruffec; 11th Nat Bergerac.

Once again it is the pigeon and it’s ability that counts in these situations - unless the

breed is there in the loft nothing happens. With the breed you have a chance - with

the breed, the right environment. the correct build up and strength in the whole

team in terms of talent you are certainly in there with a shout. Record breaking

pigeons need everything and everything in full abundance, mental, physical,

pedigree, and a loft manager that knows what to leave alone and what to do. It is a

fine art in doing nothing and leaving it to the pigeon. After all they generally know

best.

 

John Clements