Each year it becomes more and more clear: no one needs to learn how to race pigeons with this tandem. Anyone who thought 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 began
After several years of supporting successful father Andre, Corry and Alex caught the pigeon racing bug. Mother Juliette also excelled in the sport in the past, especially in sprint racing where she made a mark for several years. Initially, Alex only wanted to breed young pigeons to test at other lofts, but Corry wanted to compete in races. For the first 5 years, they participated only with young pigeons to learn the “pigeon style.”
Corry and Alex taught themselves everything because they didn't want to pin themselves down to old dogmas in the sport. Many books were devoured, but primarily by testing various approaches through trial and error, they made significant progress. Everything was tried out to come up with a style of racing that was their own. For instance, they choose to start each season with a limited, highly selective flying 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 a few pigeons from father Andre Allemeersch (bloodline “de poitiers,” 729 “de fijnen” or “topperke”).
Also, good pigeons came 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 main daughter. Also, a hen from Jan Van De Moortel produced top descendants like “227-21” and granddaughters “Kruisbekje” and “779-22.”
Turning point
In early 2023, Alex had the chance to take on a new job as responsible for land development (projects, subdivisions). For about 25 years, Alex has been in this job, but starting such a structure and building a solid land portfolio from the ground up is very time-consuming; therefore, it was decided to take it a bit easier in pigeon racing for a few years.
From 2023, and especially 2024, it was decided to only participate in mid-distance races: “We were forced to ban long-distance racing to the sidelines, and the young pigeon racing was seen for the first time in many years as training for the future,” says Alex. “The pigeon stock was also further reduced. This year, only about 30 young pigeons were weaned for personal use. Some pigeons were flown in long-distance races mainly for the enjoyment and experience of this beautiful discipline. Hopefully, in a few years, we can practice long-distance racing properly again and participate with about ten pigeons.” With “The Witch,” Alex and Corry discovered a new talent for long-distance racing and with “Slimmeke” a new promise for the great mid-distance.
Yet, 2023 ended with great satisfaction
In the great mid-distance, 15 pigeons were raced 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-Vl. with “Slimbekje”
- 1/234 Chateauroux
- 2/344 Bourges
- 3/661 Chateauroux
- 2/890 Argenton
- 1st champion -600km yearlings Union long-distance club Gistel
- 3rd all-round champion
- 3rd young pigeon champion
- 3rd overall champion
In 2024, several honorable mentions were achieved in the championships despite not participating in several races.
- 1st champion couple championship young pigeons
- 3rd champion – 600km yearlings
- 3rd champion + 600km yearlings
- 5th all-round champion
- 5th young pigeon champion
- 4th Provincial champion great mid-distance yearlings.
The few pigeons that participated in the races performed decently 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 provincial Ace long-distance (7th nat Perigueux and 4X first prize) and “Super 57” top hen and 1st Prize Limoges
Furthermore, close relatives of top pigeons “Juliette” and the champions “Kruisbekje” and “Slimbekje”
Additionally, pigeons related to the new long-distance sensation “The Witch” who this year flew 6th National Souillac against the wind and against the masses!
Also, 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, some enthusiastic pigeons, so there’s undoubtedly something for everyone.
For over 10 years, Alex and Corry have consistently scored at least one provincial Ace pigeon, all with a small pigeon stock. That demonstrates true class, and they can be rightfully proud of that!