Every year it becomes clearer: no one needs to be taught how to play this tandem with pigeons anymore. Those who thought that Alex Allemeersch and Corry Van Parys had reached their limits had to revise their opinion again this year. Great performances with few pigeons: they proved it again in 2024!
How it started
After several years of supporting successful father Andre, Corry and Alex caught the pigeon racing bug. Mother Juliette had also done well in the sport in the past, especially making a name for herself in sprint racing. Initially, Alex only wanted to breed young pigeons that could be tested at other lofts, but Corry wanted to try participating in competitions. For the first 5 years, they only participated in races with young pigeons to learn “the pigeon style.”
Corry and Alex taught themselves everything because they did not want to be tied down to outdated dogmas in the sport. Many books were consumed, but especially through trial and error, they were able to make significant strides forward. Everything was tried out to develop a playing style that was uniquely theirs. For example, they choose to start each season with a limited, highly selected racing team.
The foundation of the pigeons at Allemeersch-Van Parys includes pigeons from Alex Uiterwijk (NL), Marcel Aelbrecht (line “den kleinen Aelbrecht,” “den uitbreker,” “leeuwke,” “spreeuwke”), Albert Derwa (bloodline “Albert”), De Saer A&R (bloodline “geschelpte stier” and “de genaaiden”), Meulemans, Desmet-Matthijs, Andre Laurent, Casaert, Dierickx-Visschers, and some pigeons from father Andre Allemeersch (bloodline “de poitiers,” 729 “de fijnen” or “topperke”).
They also acquired good pigeons from Freialdenhoven & Sohne (D) (bloodline “de kletskop”). With descendants like “Julien,” “Super 57,” kletskop 38, etc. They introduced “Son Provinciaalke” from David Vermassen (with descendants like “Juliette,” 501, 502, 279...), a hen from Peter Bours (with offspring “het bruintje”), and a hen from A. Tobaja “TGV” with “Monique” as the most important daughter. A hen from Jan Van De Moortel also produced top descendants like “227-21” and granddaughters “Kruisbekje” and “779-22.”
Transformation
At the beginning of 2023, Alex had the opportunity to take a job with another employer as responsible for land development (projects, subdivisions). For about 25 years, Alex has been in this job, but starting such a structure and building it up from scratch to a decent land portfolio is time-consuming, and it was decided to take it a bit easier in the pigeon sport for a number of years.
From 2023 and especially 2024, they decided to only participate in mid-distance flights: “We were forced to ban long-distance from the sidelines and for the first time in many years, the young pigeon game was seen as training for the future,” says Alex. “The pigeon stock was also further thinned out. This year, only about 30 young pigeons were weaned for personal use. Some pigeons were played in long-distance races primarily for enjoyment and the experience of this beautiful discipline. Hopefully, we can properly resume long-distance racing in a few years and participate again with about ten pigeons.” With “The Witch,” Alex and Corry discovered a new talent in long-distance and with “Slimmeke,” a new promise in the large mid-distance.
Yet, 2023 ended with great satisfaction
In the large mid-distance, they raced with 15 pigeons with the following results.
15 OLD AND YEARLINGS were raced in the 2023 season
- 20-05 Chateauroux 423 old pigeons 10-42-43-65 4/4
- 27-05 Bourges 344 yearlings 2-4-10-14-24................... 7/7
- 27-05 Bourges 493 old 3-39-70-72 4/4
- 09-06 Argenton 318 Yearlings 1-6-7-55...... 7/8
- National starting with “slimbekje” 17/17210 Nat.
- 09-06 Argenton 368 old 6-27-66-91 4/5
- 24-06 Argenton 215 yearlings 3-7-8-23-25.... 7/8
- 24-06 Argenton 244 Old 3-23-35-62 4/8
- 02-07 Chateauroux 149 Yearlings 1-4-5-17-20-32... 8/8
- 02-07 Chateauroux 234 Old 1-4-6-14-15-16-17-21 14/15
- 08-07 Argenton 255 Yearlings 3-11........... 4/8
- 08-07 Argenton 161 Old 5-16........ 4/8
- 16-07 Chateauroux 134 Yearlings 2-33........... 4/6
- 16-07 Chateauroux 218 Old 2-18-20......... 7/12
- 22-07 Chateauroux 194 Yearlings 1-2-3-21-28-36 6/6
Championships 2023
- 2nd provincial champion West Flanders with “Slimbekje”
- 1/234 Chateauroux
- 2/344 Bourges
- 3/661 Chateauroux
- 2/890 Argenton
- 1st champion -600km yearlings Union long-distance club Gistel
- 3rd overall champion
- 3rd champion young pigeons
- 3rd general champion
In 2024 several honorable mentions in the championships were still achieved despite not participating in several races.
- 1st champion couple championship young pigeons
- 3rd champion – 600km yearlings
- 3rd champion + 600km yearlings
- 5th champion all-round
- 5th champion young pigeons
- 4th Provincial champion large mid-distance yearlings.
The few pigeons that participated in the races performed well with, among others:
- 19-05 Chateauroux 240 pigeons: 4-5-10...(7/8)
- 25-05 Bourges 493 pigeons: 4-5-11-14-22 (5/8)
- 23-06 Sancoins 79 pigeons: 1-11 (2/4)
- 28-07 Bourges 170 pigeons: 4-11 (2/2)
At the auction pigeons are offered from the old successful long-distance lines of “de Kletskop,” descendants of “Julien” 2nd prov Ace long-distance (7th nat Perigieux and 4X first prize) and “Super 57,” top hen and 1st Prize Limoges.
Additionally, close blood relatives of top pigeons “Juliette” and the stars “Kruisbekje” and “Slimbekje.”
Further, there are also pigeons related to the new long-distance sensation “The Witch” who this year, among others, managed to fly 6th National Souillac completely against the wind and the mass!
Moreover, there are pigeons linked to “Slimmeke”: 4th Provincial Ace pigeon in 2024, “Mister Six,” “Den Donkeren,” “Het Bruintje,”... all provincial ace pigeons or first prize winners.
Also, a few enthusiastic pigeons are available so there is undoubtedly something for everyone.
Alex and Corry have scored at least one provincial ace pigeon for over 10 consecutive years, and this with a small pigeon stock. That shows real class and they have every reason to be proud of that!