Racing Pigeon Post

The Western European International programme, which has built up over many years, was pioneered, organised and is still administered by the premier Belgian Societies. Time has brought more and more nations to join the challenge which today provides the largest and most competitive series of long distance pigeon races in the world.

The four most prestigious races are:

PAU International organised by La Colombe Joyeuse
BARCELONA International organised by the Cureghem-Centre
MARSEILLES International organised by Club de Fond Wallonie
PERPIGNAN International organised by Entente Belge

These form the core of the programme and from them also comes the “Europa Cup”, probably the most prestigious award in the Racing Pigeon sport. This is awarded to the best average, across these four highly prestigious races, from two nominated pigeons in each race, the top two pigeons shown on the entry form. The “Europa Cup” competition reflects not simply the best performing pigeons but the fancier’s selection ability as well as the quality and consistency of the loft.

There have been other International Races in the programme and at present three others are included being Bordeaux, St.Vincent and Narbonne International.

In order to ensure the long distance element of competition each race has a minimum qualifying distance. The inevitable but unfortunate consequence of this is that large parts of France and Germany are excluded from most if not all races. Although the Marseille distance has recently changed it remains the shortest Europa Cup race but mainly due to its more easterly location it does allow some competitors from western France to participate.

The principal countries involved are of course Belgium and Holland but large entries are also made by France and Germany. Luxembourg also contributes well, proportionate to its size, and while the UK has made an entry over many years it has not yet established the numbere that it should. Entries have also been made in recent years from countries more to the east of Europe, Poland in particular, and it is hoped that this pattern will continue and grow in the future.

Apart from anything else this provides us with two important facts - all the races are long distance and competition is drawn from the strongest racing pigeon countries in the world. If you don’t feel too daunted by this have a closer look at what these races entail.