Jean-Pierre Raemdonck (Hamme), a well-established name in the heavy long-distance races. He confirmed this again in the 2024 season with a 63rd & 69th national position in Agen against 6435 pigeons.
It was in 1985 that Jean-Pierre decided to enter the pigeon sport, focusing immediately on the heavy long-distance races. He started well with a champion title in the young pigeons category and has classified among the champions every year since. Some people just have the “feeling” for handling pigeons from the very start.
From the beginning, Jean-Pierre opted for the most challenging discipline in pigeon sport: the long-distance races. Here, the fancier cannot afford any mistakes, as these errors will definitely cost him feathers. However, this did not deter him from standing his ground and improving his pigeon stock 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'll pause for a moment on the last name.
Kristof Mortelmans has become one of Belgium's leading figures in these heavy long-distance races in recent years. Kristof's pigeon stock consists of 80% that traces back to the foundation he acquired from Raemdonck-Ruys.
One of the flagbearers at Kristof's is the doffer “Jelle,” which was acquired from Jean-Pierre. This giant won 1st provincial Libourne with a 30-minute lead, 2nd provincial Limoges, 2nd provincial Montauban and was also the 1st provincial ace pigeon for Fond. A true pointer in the races, he later proved to be even more valuable in breeding. The 'Spolle' soon became one of his most famous descendants. This grandson of Jelle won 2 x 1st Prov., once in Libourne and once in Montauban, and also 2nd Prov. in Narbonne. In 2015, he crowned himself with the title of 10th Nat. Ace pigeon for Grote Fond KBDB.
“Jelle” also became the grandfather of Kobe, yet another 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 of Jelle, Kristof established himself as a fixed value in the heavy long-distance races, thanks in part to Jean-Pierre.
On his own loft, top performances have been achieved, with the main highlights being: The Silver Wing winner Barcelona in 2010, best Agen pigeon International over 2 years (21-22) with the 178/19 which also managed to secure a top prize in the 2024 season with a 69th national out of 6435 pigeons, as well as winning the extremely challenging PIPA Ranking IATP OVERALL.
System
The pairing takes place in mid-March and the pigeons may brood for about 6 days. After that, they enter widowhood and the pigeons are darkened until the end of April. From the longest day, they are then lighted. This way, one can adjust the “form” towards the races that matter to Jean-Pierre: the internationals.
As preparation for the season, the old and yearlings are sent once about 20 kilometers. After that, the old go once to Quiévrain, once to Noyon, 2 times Halve Fond and then proceed to the further races. The yearlings fly 2 to 3 times Quiévrain, 2 to 3 times Noyon and 2 to 3 times Halve Fond. After this, they are ready to fly the duo Agen & Narbonne.
The young pigeons are not a priority, but an effort is made to give them the necessary experience by training them well and allowing them to fly 2 heavy halve fond races.
Results
- In 2023
St-Vincent: 2nd and 4th out of 4 entered
Marseille: 1st, 2nd, 4th out of 4 entered
Barcelona: 5th & 16th out of 276 pigeons (7 entered)
Agen: 6th & 15th out of 4 entered
Libourne: 5th & 13th out of 3 entered
Montélimar: 1st & 10th out of 3 entered
- In 2024
Agen: 2nd & 3rd local, Nat 63rd & 69th out of 6435 pigeons & Int 133rd & 148th out of 15617 pigeons
Barcelona: 9th out of 163 pigeons, Nat 410th out of 6310 pigeons & Int 1578th out of 17109 pigeons
Dax: 2nd out of 45 pigeons, Nat 114th out of 2578 pigeons & Int 468th out of 8610 pigeons
Perpignan: 8th out of 90 pigeons, Nat 402nd out of 5722 pigeons & Int 1261st out of 14170 pigeons
- In 2010 Pipa IATP overall ranking 1st place
Barcelona 2010: 7th National and 11th International out 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 out of 18056 d. in 2021
- Local 2nd Fcd 2nd prov 11th Nat 30th & Int 54th out of 16864 d. in 2022
The 4138008/19
- In 2020 Montélimar local 1st Fcd 1st prov 1st & Nat 3rd out 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 out of 4365 pigeons
- In 2020 Montélimar local 1st Fcd 1st prov 1st & Nat 3rd out of 2832 pigeons
- In 2021 Marseille local 1st Nat 86th Int 329th out of 7613 pigeons - Perpignan local 1st Fcd 3rd prov 8th Nat 48th & Int 192nd out of 13262 pigeons - Montélimar local 2nd & Nat 292nd out of 4736 pigeons
- In 2022 Pau local 12th & Int 567th out of 15430 pigeons
The 4138033/19
- In 2021 Barcelona local 20th Nat 1281st & Int 2266th out of 16595 pigeons
- In 2022 Barcelona local 26th Nat 1063rd & Int 3132nd out of 16897 pigeons
- In 2023 local 27th
The 4138026/19
Marseille local 1st out of 35 pigeons, 200th Nat out of 2590 pigeons & Int 976th out of 9887 pigeons
The 4178259/20
Barcelona local 5th out of 123 pigeons, 316th Nat out of 6533 pigeons & Int 944th out of 16559 pigeons
The 4178265/20
Montélimar local 10th out of 35 pigeons
Marseille local 2nd out of 35 pigeons, Nat 342nd out of 2590 pigeons in 2024
The 4119616/21
Agen local 2nd out of 140 pigeons, Nat 63rd out of 6435 pigeons & Int 133rd out of 15617 pigeons
The 4171139/22
Argenton local 18th out of 57 pigeons
Perpignan local 4th out of 90 pigeons, Nat 147th out of 4850 pigeons & Int 512th out of 14170 pigeons
The 4109105/23
Chateauroux local 15th out of 130 pigeons
Bergerac local 8th out of 72 pigeons & Nat 272nd out of 3180 pigeons
The 4178259/20
Barcelona local 9th out of 163 pigeons, Nat 410th out of 6310 pigeons
The 4106528/23
Vierzon local 12th out of 307 pigeons
Argenton local 29th out of 177 pigeons & Nat 1765th out of 11184 pigeons
Bergerac local 11th out of 72 pigeons & Nat 411th out of 3180 pigeons
The 4171109/22
Dax local 2nd out of 45 pigeons & Nat 114th out of 2578 pigeons
Perpignan local 8th out of 90 pigeons, Nat 402nd out of 5722 pigeons & Int 1261st out of 14170 pigeons