Many have undoubtedly received the sad news that Roger passed away earlier this year. A banal cold developed into a double pneumonia that Roger could not overcome. Just a few days before he fell ill in March, Roger was still able to collect his medal for his zonal victory from Chateauroux. A wonderful culmination of 77 years in pigeon racing, of which no one knew it would end so abruptly.
At the beginning of March 2022, Roger was completely ready for the upcoming pigeon season. The widowers were paired to breed about five offspring so that they would be ready for the tough middle distance season. The breeders had already raised two rounds of young pigeons. The vaccination against paramyxovirus had been completed, and the lofts were once again spick and span. As always, the pigeon administration was meticulously maintained.
Even at 88 years old, Roger remained a busy bee. Together with his wife Erna, he managed his pigeon collection like a well-oiled machine. Training pigeons, pairing them, basketting… in short, Roger did everything himself at the age of 88. The grandchildren helped wherever possible with the care of the pigeons and keeping the pedigree data updated on the PC, which Roger greatly appreciated.
Roger leaves the family in disbelief, orphaned. The unique pigeon collection, his life’s work, is being offered for sale in its entirety in two parts through Pitts as a result of his passing.
77 years of experience
Without a doubt, Roger was an exception. Few have had the opportunity to engage with pigeons for 77 years at such a high and professional level. Roger's lofts were set up in such a way that the pigeons could thrive in optimal health, while Roger could also enjoy the sport to the fullest. He installed a lift to automatically move the baskets, made his own training baskets so that the pigeons did not have to be caught but could walk into the basket, installed a conveyor system to catch the droppings, each loft was equipped with an alarm system, and so on… Everything was finished down to the last detail.
In recent years, Roger only raced old pigeons and no longer with young ones.
Every fancier who visited was impressed by his lofts and his hospitality. Many fanciers found success with Roger's pigeons. For instance, the 5th national ace pigeon of the large middle distance old 2022 is a direct Roger Ponnet (at Esmanne-Defert-Charles, Forchies-La-Marche).
The first three rounds of breeders were sold each year in recent years. Roger kept the 4th and 5th rounds himself to strengthen the breeding stock and to teach the pigeons as yearlings to compete as older pigeons. Roger also participated for a while in One Loft Races. He achieved 2nd ace pigeon out of 5610 pigeons in the Million Dollar Race in South Africa. He was first in the Belgian Superstar competition with this. Also, one of his pigeons became the Knock-Out winner and 2nd ace pigeon in the One Loft Race in Denmark. In Nevele, one of his pigeons finished third in the final flight of the Belgian Master. The pigeons were primarily raced at middle and heavy middle distances but also won first prizes in sprint races.
Pigeon collection
Roger had an eye for top pigeons. He regularly scoured the internet for reinforcements. His last purchase dates back to last year when he acquired two super pigeons from the Kestens loft in Tienen. The male won five times in a row a first prize (including 38th national Bourges out of 24055 pigeons and 157th national Vierzon out of 20956 pigeons) and was one of the absolute top pigeons from the Kestens loft. The female had already flown first three times.
The foundation pigeon of the Ponnet loft was “De Crack 404” (breed Verbrugge X Grondelaers). Descendants of this standout can be found in more than half of the pigeon collection. The “Crack 404” is also the grandfather of the 5th national ace pigeon of 2022 and numerous other first prize winners.
Another top pigeon is undoubtedly “De Hooymans Duivin” (Jan Hooymans – Netherlands). She is the mother of the 5th national ace pigeon old GHF 2022. The mother is a sister of the famous Harry (1st Blois out of 37728 pigeons, 1st Chateauroux out of 22340 pigeons, 3rd Chateaudun out of 21520 pigeons).
Additionally, a magnifique female was acquired from Vandenabeele via Team Lecke, Germany. This female is a double granddaughter of the renowned “Rudy,” who is the father of many national winners. The Vandenabeele female is already the grandmother of the 2nd zonal prize from Chateauroux and mother of the 19th national Bourges out of 33410 pigeons.
A few years ago, Roger purchased five females from G&J De Bisschop, Asse (breed Limbourg Erik, Vandenabeele, Gino Clique). All are offspring, full siblings of national and provincial ace pigeons.
A direct Eijerkamp female was acquired (type Heremans – granddaughter of the Olympiad pigeon Lievin 2003), also present in the sale, and is already the grandmother of the 1st zonal Chateauroux, 2nd national Chateauroux and 21st national Argenton.
It is no wonder this is called a golden breeding stock. A carefully curated and strictly selected pigeon stock where only the very best had a place. A collection that was thoughtfully built over the years, a collection of which Roger was immensely proud, and rightly so.
Total sale
With sadness, it was decided to sell Roger's entire pigeon collection. Roger would undoubtedly have wanted this as well. His masterpiece will therefore be sold in its entirety via Pitts. For many enthusiasts, a unique and prime opportunity to optimally strengthen their breeding loft.
The sale includes among others:
· 1st zonal, 2nd national Chateauroux out of 3618 pigeons 21st national Argenton out of 9851 pigeons
· 10 full siblings and parents of the 5th national ace pigeon GHF old 2022
· Pure Hooymans female (daughter of sister “Harry”), mother of the 5th national ace pigeon but also mother and grandmother of other first prize winners, with many descendants.
· Pure Vandenabeele female (double granddaughter of “Rudy”), grandmother of 2nd zonal Chateauroux and mother of 19th national Bourges out of 33410 pigeons, with many descendants
· Various direct top females from J&G De Bisschop, Asse (type Erik Limbourg, Gaby Vandenabeele, Gino Clique) with many descendants. All children, sisters or brothers of a national or provincial ace pigeon.
· Direct Eijerkamp female (Heremans – great-granddaughter of Olympiad pigeon Lievin 2003), grandmother of the 2nd national Chateauroux, 21st national Argenton, with descendants.
· 2 top pigeons from the Kestens loft, Tienen with already several descendants. Both pigeons together account for 8 first prizes, a 38th national Bourges out of 24055 pigeons, 157th national Vierzon out of 20956 pigeons, 6th provincial Salbris out of 1373 pigeons.
· The knock-out winner and 2nd ace pigeon of the One Loft Race in Denmark with various descendants.
· A direct Dany Leus female, Herzele with many descendants. She is already the grandmother of the 5th national ace pigeon GHF old 2022, 2nd zonal Chateauroux, 19th national Bourges out of 33410 pigeons and mother of a 1st and 2nd prize Noyon.
Results of recent years
Due to his age, Roger only raced old pigeons in recent years, and not every week. He wanted to enjoy the sport without being a slave to it. The young ones had to start with a disadvantage against the competition as they were only trained as young and yearlings. Roger could equally enjoy the results of his pigeons that he sold. It is incredibly unfortunate that he does not know that one of his pigeons has become the 5th national ace pigeon.
La Souterraine 153 old: 4, 8, 14, 17, 22, 23, 25
Gueret 144 old: 7, 13, 16, …
Chateauroux 125 old: 1, 6, 13, 27; 2nd provincial, 1st zonal, 2nd national out of 3618 pigeons
Argenton 344 old: 6, 12, 26, 29, 30, 35
Chateauroux 223 old: 1, 6, 11, 16, 23
Issoudun 173 old: 4, 8, 9, 10, 16, 21
Toury 186 old: 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14
Vierzon 489 old: 9, 15, 19, 24, 26
Chateauroux 263 old: 3, 6, 10, 11, 15, 20
Chateauroux 212 old: 1, 9, 10, 18, 21, 24
Chateauroux 181 old: 3, 4, 5, 14
Issoudun 357 old: 1, 15, 27, 37
Toury 227 old: 2, 5, 14, 19, 21, 26
Argenton 242 old: 4, 7, 18, 19
Results of sold pigeons:
· First prize winners Noyon at Eddy De Backer, Galmaarden
· Top flier at Remi Redant
· Top flyer One Loft Race Tenerife via Vanderstukken-Verbist (3rd 2159d, 5th 1879d, 10th 2113d)
· 129th national Gueret out of 12208 pigeons at Philippe Brantegem
· 5th national ace pigeon of the large middle distance old 2022 at Esmanne-Defert-Charles
· Another top pigeon at Esmanne-Defert-Charles with 1st Orleans out of 2549d, 1st Orleans out of 1365d, 2nd Soissons out of 351d, 6th St-Soupplet out of 595d
· Another top pigeon at Esmanne-Defert-Charles with 19th national Bourges out of 33410d, 7th St-Soupplet out of 595d, 7th St-Soupplet out of 725d, 6th Melun out of 1034d
· 2nd zonal Chateauroux and 4th La Souterraine at Charles Van Damme, Burst
· And so on…
We wish the family much success with the sale of the pigeons!