I went home ‘trembling’ and couldn’t believe my luck. Ap had been more than generous to get me started.

Hugo

DuijvesteinHattem.

I took a break from pigeon racing when I was 19, but just before hanging up my pigeon-racing gloves, I ended the season with a fantastic 5th place in Mid-Netherlands at the Bergerac race.

My racing pigeons – a father, mother, and son – made it home exceptionally early, all within half an hour, and this feat earned us the glorious 5th spot in Mid-Netherlands.

After completing my studies and roughly a decade later, I embarked on a modest entrepreneurial journey, venturing into the world of birds. I called my venture “Respecta” – an organic racing-pigeon and parrot food company. With a three-year business plan in hand, the ultimate goal was to eventually sell the business.

This path allowed me to stay connected to the pigeon racing world. During this period, I often found myself in the lofts of well-known, dedicated, and high-achieving pigeon enthusiasts.

Then, life took us to the North of the Netherlands, where I continued keeping racing pigeons on a small scale. However, with time, I eventually stopped raising pigeons and said goodbye to Respecta. My three daughters became my primary focus.

Seven years later, we returned to Hattem, right in the heart of the Netherlands. As a family, we delved into field hockey and even graced several stages as a family singing group. Those were some unforgettable times!

Top times!

Now, in 2020, with most of my children having left home, the pigeon racing bug has started to tickle my fancy once more.

In 2018, just two years ago, I had an encounter with Cor Walda, one of the finest fanciers from Zwolle, during a walk with my dogs. Cor Walda’s results spoke volumes, with second and first-place finishes in a highly competitive arena, competing against the likes of Eijerkamp, Ebben, and Beens.

Our connection was instant, as if we had known each other forever. We couldn’t help but burst into laughter that day.

Cor invited me to witness a race, and with a bottle of wine in tow, I made a surprise visit to him. This marked the beginning of my involvement in pigeon racing once again.

During my pigeon-racing heydays, I encountered Gerrit Knol, the Director of “Spoor der Kampioenen,” who, during that time, achieved great success with Respecta pigeon feed. Gerrit didn’t let me go until I became a member of his magazine, “Spoor der Kampioenen.”

As they say, coincidence is a myth. While browsing, I came across an advertisement for breeding pigeons from the late Piet Roelofs in “Spoor der Kampioenen” magazine. The unique part was that these pigeons were up for auction via email.

You could conclude after reading this webpage that everything is done on the DuijvesteinHattem loft with a lot of LOVE for the Barcelona race, excellent relationships and the elderly home in Moldava.

But only you can experience if this is what it is…

Piet’s son told me that I had packed very well.

So, without further ado, I drove to Druten to collect the breeding pigeons from Piet Roelofs. When I reached their house, I noticed a “House for Sale” sign in the garden. I was greeted by Piet’s son, to whom I offered my condolences and presented a special Moldovan wine for the two pigeon-keeping helpers. This wine, with its own tale to tell, was chosen as part of our family’s ongoing support for an elderly home in Moldova. Proceeds from this wine contribute to the retirement home. You can make a donation on this website: retirement home.

After reading this, you might conclude that everything happening at DuijvesteinHattem is driven by love for the Barcelona race, incredible relationships, and a genuine dedication to the elderly home. However, only you can truly experience and appreciate the essence of our journey.

Piet’s son was impressed by my meticulous packing. Out of the 40 pigeons for sale, seven were top-tier breeding pigeons that his father had marked on the plasticized pedigree. Piet’s son was delighted that I was the sole buyer of three of these top breeders. In the spirit of his father, who had mentored many novice racing pigeon enthusiasts, he kindly gifted me two top-tier hens that could significantly enhance my breeding stock.

Filled with gratitude, I left with six pigeons: three top breeders, one inbred pigeon for future crossings, and two outstanding hens. I didn’t fully realize what a treasure I had in my hands, so I turned to my friend in Zwolle, who was equally impressed by the pedigrees. While he wasn’t a marathon player himself, he knew the value when he saw it.

In my world, it’s always important to seek guidance from those who excel in their field. I reached out to another top fancier in my network, specifically a marathon specialist. He had clinched top-10 positions in national races over ten times. This seasoned expert, Ap Peters from Zelhem, was intrigued when he got his hands on Piet Roelofs’ well-built, lightweight marathon racing pigeons.

I will tell you first how I knew Ap Peters.

When I was 16, I sometimes helped Ap with his racing pigeons when it was convenient and I always kept in touch with him.

Eleven times his marathon pigeons ended up in the National top 10.

Once in 1988, he won a car with one of his pigeons, which was for me as a teenager very, very impressive.

And for the whole area were Ap Petes lives, I think he was an example of how to exceed with pigeons and how to breed more than only ones, a TOP pigeon.

His nickname is the ‘flying forester’.

Because he also stands his ground as a hunter.

Ap Peters can tell you that he has not seen a vet for advice for decades.

Read more about this on the Ap Peters webpage.

A video is included.

Impressed by the marathon carrier breeding pigeons from Piet Roelofs that I had brought with me, Ap Peters generously loaned me three super breeding hens, two youngsters, and a succulent venison back steak that he had personally hunted.

I had only a special wine as a surprise, tucked away for a special occasion.

Hugo
Keeper of the loft

I went home trembling and couldn’t believe my luck.

Ap Peters had been more than generous to get me started.