Article Posted 21 April 2008
Pat Rolleston
The 2007 season saw Pat crowned union champion in the strong
CFHU. CFHU (90 members) is an affiliate of the Federated Board
(730 members) and has a 13-bird limit. Pat started racing pigeons
in 1981 in the FBHU, raced for 11 years in WPHU before returning
to the FBHU where he raced in WDHU and now CFHU. He has 69 club
wins and 26 Federations to his credit.
The Pigeons
Pat has based his family of pigeons on birds he received from
Mr. Less (Cattrysse), he introduced Herbie Carelse Stassards and
pigeons from LG. Blake (Wegge Janssen), Gamat Daniels (Busschaert)
& Brian Thom (De Klack). These birds he formed into a family
capable of winning at any distance, slow or fast. Pat has achieved
top results over the long distances but the infusion of the Busschaerts
has led to good results on the short-middle distances in a big
way.
Training
The pigeons get 3 tosses per week, two short during the week and
one long on the weekend, every week of the season. He tries to
get as close to the first race point before the season starts.
Pre-season tossing starts at 20km and Pat tries to fit in as many
tosses as possible before he makes use of a local toss bakkie.
Health
Pat’s health regime is pretty basic and he tries to cover
all the potential health threats. He prefers to treat individually
where possible. A must pre-season is a 10 day course of Furasol
as well as the prescribed 10 day treatment for Malaria. During
the season he alternates products. Keep canker under control is
his motto. He likes a soft silky feather.
Racing
Pat likes to start the season with 70 birds to handle the tough
race route. He races to the perch but does use various nest positions
to motivate his pigeons. Pat races pigeons week after week as
long as they maintain form and race to the front of the loft.
On the longer distances he strives to strike a balance between
rest and roadwork.
Photo of Race Loft
Photo of Stock Loft
Feeding
Pat prefers to mix his own food, which is a 2:1 mix. This changes
to 4:1 mealy to pea for the longer races, where he feeds small
portions up to 4 times a day the last two days before loading.
Pat uses a depurative mix early in the week. He tries to obtain
the best food available, as he believes that good quality food
is a must.
Highlights
Winning both Kroonstad and Springfontein Feds on the same day
in the WPHU. Winning the WDHU car race, collecting R40 000-00.Winning
1st, 2nd and 3rd in the WDHU from Springfontein (795 km) with
two brothers and a sister. He also rates his first win from Kroonstad
in WPHU highly. He takes pride in any position scored in the FBHU,
racing against 730 fanciers in the Cape, competing against large
birdages.
Main Results 2007 – see pictures
1st Leeugamka (895p-345km) - Ref 1
1st Beaufort West (1029p-420km) - Ref 2
1st WDHU Car Race
1st Hanover (935p-640km) - Ref 3
5th FBHU (8350 pigeons)
1st Bloemfontein (667p-903km) - Ref 4
4th FBHU (6059 pigeons)
Plus many other positions in CFHU and FBHU.
Photo Ref 1
ZAWKDU 06 13572
1st Leeugamka (895p-345km)
Photo Ref 2
ZAFB 06 61248
1st Beaufort West (1029p-420km)
1st WDHU Car Race
Photo Ref 3
SAFB 04 9765
1st Hanover (935p-640km)
5th FBHU (8350 pigeons)
Photo Ref 4
SAFB 04 10724
1st Bloemfontein (667p-903km)
4th FBHU (6059 pigeons)
Pat is a dedicated, competitive fancier and gives GOD all the
honour and glory for all his achievements with his pigeons.
