Jean-Pierre Raemdonck (Hamme), an established name in long-distance racing. He proved this once again in the 2024 season with a 63rd & 69th national in Agen against 6435 pigeons.
It was in 1985 that Jean-Pierre decided to enter the pigeon sport, immediately focusing on long-distance racing. It started well with a champion title among the young pigeons, and since then, Jean-Pierre has managed to classify himself among the champions every year. Some people have a natural "feeling" for handling pigeons right from the start.
Right from the beginning, Jean-Pierre chose the toughest discipline in pigeon racing: the long-distance races. Here, the enthusiast cannot afford any mistakes, as these errors will definitely cost points. However, this did not prevent him from establishing himself and improving his pigeon strain and system year after year to what it is today. The strain was formed with the following names: Desbuqouis Gebr, Brinkman Herman, Wuest Theo & Walter, Saeytijdt Paul & Sven, the late Van Hasselt Gilbert, Wijnands & Zn, Theelen Jan, and Mortelmans Kristof.
We will pause at the last name.
Kristof Mortelmans has been one of the leaders of Belgium in these long-distance races in recent years. Kristof's pigeon stock consists of 80% of the base he obtained from Raemdonck-Ruys.
One of the flag bearers for Kristof is the doffer "Jelle," acquired from Jean-Pierre. This giant won 1st provincial Libourne with a 30-minute lead, 2nd provincial Limoges, 2nd provincial Montauban, and was also 1st provincial ace pigeon Long Distance. A true pointer in racing, and he later proved to be even more valuable in breeding. The 'Spolle' quickly became one of his most famous descendants. This grandson of Jelle won 2 x 1st Provincial, once in Libourne and once in Montauban, and also finished 2nd Provincial in Narbonne. In 2015, he was crowned 10th National Ace Pigeon Great Distance KBDB.
“Jelle” also became the grandfather of Kobe, another true top pigeon with the following accolades:
- 1st best Belgian Marseille pigeon 2016-2019
- 4th best Int. Marseille pigeon 2016-2019
- 1st Prov. - 19th Nat. - 27th Int. Marseille – 8,037 d.
- 10th Prov. Pau
- 12th Prov. Marseille
Another grandson of “Jelle,” “den Dave,” won the 1st National from Marseille in 2021.
With the line from Jelle, Kristof worked his way up to become a staple in long-distance racing, thanks in part to Jean-Pierre.
Top performances are also delivered from his own loft, highlighted by: The Silver Wing winner Barcelona in 2010, the best Agen pigeon International over 2 years (21-22) with the 178/19, which again achieved a top prize in the 2024 season with a 69th national among 6435 pigeons, as well as winning the extremely challenging PIPA Ranking IATP OVERALL.
System
The pairing occurs in mid-March, and the pigeons are allowed to brood for about 6 days. After that, they enter widowhood and are darkened until the end of April. From the longest day, they are then given light. This way, one can manage the “form” toward the races that are important to Jean-Pierre: the internationals.
In preparation for the season, both old and yearling pigeons are taken to a location about 20 kilometers away once. Then the old pigeons go once to Quiévrain, once to Noyon, and twice to Half Distance before heading to further races. The yearlings fly 2 to 3 times to Quiévrain, 2 to 3 times to Noyon, and 2 to 3 times to Half Distance. After this, they are ready to compete in the double-header Agen & Narbonne.
The young pigeons are not a priority, but efforts are made to provide them with the necessary experience by raising them well and allowing them to participate in 2 heavy half-distance races.
Results
- In 2023
St-Vincent: 2nd and 4th of 4 entered
Marseille: 1st, 2nd, 4th of 4 entered
Barcelona: 5th & 16th of 276 pigeons (7 entered)
Agen: 6th & 15th of 4 entered
Libourne: 5th & 13th of 3 entered
Montélimar: 1st & 10th of 3 entered
- In 2024
Agen: 2nd & 3rd local, Nat 63rd & 69th of 6435 pigeons & Int 133rd & 148th of 15617 pigeons
Barcelona: 9th of 163 pigeons, Nat 410th of 6310 pigeons & Int 1578th of 17109 pigeons
Dax: 2nd of 45 pigeons, Nat 114th of 2578 pigeons & Int 468th of 8610 pigeons
Perpignan: 8th of 90 pigeons, Nat 402nd of 5722 pigeons & Int 1261st of 14170 pigeons
- In 2010 Pipa IATP overall ranking 1st place
Barcelona 2010: 7th National and 11th International of 25878 pigeons, also Silver Wing winner!
- Cahors 2009: 4th National
Some of the best pigeons
The 4229178/19
- Best international pigeon at Agen over 2 years 2021-2022
- Local 1st Fcd 1st Prov 8th Nat 17th & Int. 19th of 18056 in 2021
- Local 2nd Fcd 2nd Prov 11th Nat 30th & Int 54th of 16864 in 2022
The 4138008/19
- In 2020 Montélimar local 1st Fcd 1st Prov 1st & Nat 3rd of 2832 pigeons
The 4270035/14
- In 2016 Perpignan local 1st
- In 2017 St.Vincent local 6th & Perpignan local 11th
- In 2018 St.Vincent local 3rd & Perpignan local 1st
- In 2019 Pau local 1st & Perpignan local 6th
- In 2020 Pau local 3rd
The 4029764/16
- Agen local 1st & 6th National
- Narbonne local 3rd
The 4138035/19
- In 2020 Limoges local 4th Fcd 85th & prov 894th of 4365 pigeons
- In 2020 Montélimar local 1st Fcd 1st Prov 1st & Nat 3rd of 2832 pigeons
- In 2021 Marseille local 1st Nat 86th Int 329th of 7613 pigeons - Perpignan local 1st Fcd 3rd Prov 8th Nat 48th & Int 192nd of 13262 pigeons - Montelimar local 2nd & Nat 292nd of 4736 pigeons
- In 2022 Pau local 12th & Int 567th of 15430 pigeons
The 4138033/19
- In 2021 Barcelona local 20th Nat 1281st & Int 2266th of 16595 pigeons
- In 2022 Barcelona local 26th Nat 1063rd & Int 3132nd of 16897 pigeons
- In 2023 local 27th
The 4138026/19
Marseille local 1st of 35 pigeons, 200th Nat of 2590 pigeons & Int 976th of 9887 pigeons
The 4178259/20
Barcelona local 5th of 123 pigeons, 316th Nat of 6533 pigeons & Int 944th of 16559 pigeons
The 4178265/20
Montélimar local 10th of 35 pigeons
Marseille local 2nd of 35 pigeons, Nat 342nd of 2590 pigeons in 2024
The 4119616/21
Agen local 2nd of 140 pigeons, Nat 63rd of 6435 pigeons & Int 133rd of 15617 pigeons
The 4171139/22
Argenton local 18th of 57 pigeons
Perpignan local 4th of 90 pigeons, Nat 147th of 4850 pigeons & Int 512th of 14170 pigeons
The 4109105/23
Chateauroux local 15th of 130 pigeons
Bergerac local 8th of 72 pigeons & Nat 272nd of 3180 pigeons
The 4178259/20
Barcelona local 9th of 163 pigeons, Nat 410th of 6310 pigeons
The 4106528/23
Vierzon local 12th of 307 pigeons
Argenton local 29th of 177 pigeons & Nat 1765th of 11184 pigeons
Bergerac local 11th of 72 pigeons & Nat 411th of 3180 pigeons
The 4171109/22
Dax local 2nd of 45 pigeons & Nat 114th of 2578 pigeons
Perpignan local 8th of 90 pigeons, Nat 402nd of 5722 pigeons & Int 1261st of 14170 pigeons