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THE DIXIE FANTAIL CLUB PAGE/ past controversial part ofFANTAIL STANDARD AT BOTTOM

FEATURING AND PRESENTING THE 25TH ANNUAL GALA AFFAIR AND WINTER SHOW/ JIM

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Pictures of the Members of the Dixie Genepoole, an Elite Group of Creators...

Well Guy's,,For the last 6 months or so I've pretty much tried to stay away from opinionating these variations of interuptions of the Standard and the illustrations to the standard. But I feel it's getting a little over aggressive . Ego's and rock throwing doesn'tsolve anything, especially when the standard is very clear on what it is designed for. If anybody has done any reading our standard clearly states " That it's just a guideline toward the prefection of our fantails,,,for the purpose of breeding and judging. The gentlemen who put this together with years of input from our fore fathers had a complete openness of mind with a clear intent in which our fantails should be bred. In writing they totally describe the different pieces of our fantail, but were smart enough to leave open variations to those pieces. To say certian pieces have to be exact is dead wrong. No fanciers however smart knows the limitations and the abilities of our fantails as they further develop. Setting limits on size, structure, feather lenght, preformance abilities can only slow the process of development in our fantails. Basically our forefathers had enough outlook not to put extremes of any qualities in the standard for that reason our standard is based on balance which leaves the extremes out of the show room and in the breeding loft where improvements can be obtained. It seems with the drawings and altered pictures of late the tendency is on extremes not balance as our standard calls for. There has been several excellent drawings in the past which have not been mentioned, which is the O'Dells, he has made up 6 or 8 of these, some which are not desiriable but a few that are great and more realistic than most of what's been coming across the computor. The reason for a drawing or picture should be for a guideline only to the standard. Not something that says this is the way they have to be. I don't know how this could be achieved, it would have to be done by a committee of sort with open minds to the requirements of the standard with some artistic values. It would also require the approval of all the North America fantail fanciers as a whole. I do not believe it would have to have an international approval, because it seems the other countries are already in acceptance of North America's guidelines. I really feel that educating and helping fanciers through sharing, seminars and other means are the key to progressing our fantails. Marketing and self promotions are not the keys to the future of the hobby. I am not saying we shouldn't sell birds or we shouldn't advertize, I feel we have to keep it in prospective. Some people feel for some reason need to be the king of the hill. In our hobby and I guess I just don't understand this way of thought. Having fantails has been a learning process for me from the start and let me tell a very humbling experience to say the least. Each day is a new venture and each year the things that worked last year don't work at all this one. The birds we want the most from breed the least, the ones that show the best qualities usually don't for some reason share them with the young. This goes on and on so does change of nature. So in closing let's share the little knowledge we have. Keep open minds to the development of station and preformance in our fantails. Most of all treat others with the same respect as you yourself would like to be treated. In the Fancy --------Joe Schabert(DAD)

I personaly think theses images do not depict proper understanding of how a fantail leg gets to be a forward leg . I SUGEST YOU CLIP THE FEATHERS FROM THE SIDE OF A FANTAIL . WATCH HOW THE LEG WORKS FOR YOUR SELF. many birds are only a leg bend away from being great . "attitude" the stubby little legs that are being pushed by some breeders will never be forward .they are a dead end street with A. I. as the end results ( JIM ERVIN )
THIS is an excellent adaptation from Historical picture submitted by Lance Christienson, Iowa. This was done by JOHN ARENA, AUSTRALIA. John, has skills with Software Graphics; .
To substantiate the Futura side view to the Front View is a simple matter of right angle projection....What we see on the side view of FUTURA, DICTATES what we see on the FRONT VIEW!! What the world is waiting for, is; to view the front view with improper, tweaked, under the body legs...the oposite of apple on a stick? Still, we can breed from such fantails! We just cannot show them and expect to win!Well, unless the class has less fantail Quality's, say, like a rare color class!! Fantails are to be judged by comparison.." Or, a judge can only pick from what is shown? That, is what they speak about, when they say: Not much depth? little depth of Quality in a Class.. Likely, had we been Judging we would have picked those little big tailed wonders! But, we still want their over-all body to tail, conformation; BUT, WITH proper legs and wing lines..to say maybe 80 points...!! We await the NON FRIEND's Frontal? Wonder if it will reflect proper legs? If, it does; then, maybe there's a flicker of light that indicates we want IT all in our fantails...
Whether your in consenous or not, makes little Difference; the NON FRIEND' hit the nail into the fence in Pa! Now, he cannot pull it back out; but, he can prove, like one before HIM...that you can do it YOUR way...If We can do it with CULLS; Non FRIEND can start changing them with the first cross; if he don't lose his base; if he gives his breeders a chance(more than one year) ; if he really understands "POINT BLEND" . ( That means no more total destruction of the BULLS...) Still, building your HOUSE for a Decade without a proper foundation of Leg genome, enough length etc; and then painting it, only to have it fall down , on to the ground; even with the best of "PAINT", alas; it cannot take the dampness, and molds so close to the ground.

On the other hand; we have bred both phenotypes; we just blend the genotypes differently; ours are Heterotic! The funny thing is: that the front leaners have the longest thigh bones...and the best lines..

Too bad, we really don't understand Vincent's String theory..; because if we did...then we could produce a proper "REACH", which must be in proportion to thigh bone lengths; thus, allowing , with proper pen training, nutrition, and CONDITION..to allow for the greatest term since iced tea?? "ATTITUDE"...Do we realize that Attitude is the difference between up types and low types...Lance gets the nod here... but, Vincent saw it too...We have yet to see it....still, we may understand it better than those who flatly reject it, and their ATTITUDE is maybe left with something to be desired....

Tomorrow, God Willin' we study them ones that have the answers... see it is the fans that have the answers.. If you don't have the software to trace the good genome; for goodness sake..use a highlighter...follow the color...Resist 100% SIXER THINKING..Build several families with each NICK.. then combine Families til YOU see four colors in a pedigree..QUADS... So we go for them LIKE the SHOW CHAMPIONS, of Late; But, we do not forget UNDERCARRIAGE...nor do we forget color; cause it is a long row to hoe; if we set too many bad traits, where the Standard calls for Proper Legs.

One thing more...I am tired too...When somebody can take the Body to tail seen on the Champions; add undercarriage(that is tough without Reach & proper String) which is a proper, and longer length than the Grand Champion legs.. set widely apart.., and have a proper color or markings..VIOLA.. And, culling out bad legs, or long thighs, or short thighs, bad hocks, , peak crests, feather below the hocks... big, small; well we get it...and baby , baby we Had it, and we live to get it back, and to keep it....

This picture, as above is done by JOHN ARENA. These pictures are being posted because YE old EDITOR feels they give us a lifeline at maintaining what the AMERICAN FOREFATHERS left us in the present STANDARD. It will always be subject to update. AT the least , we, feel that these pictures compliment our present Standard, and, are the rendering of both Historical photos, as well, discussions from all over the World.
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Subject: 25th Anniversary awards update & change Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2001 06:56:16 EST From: JSa2355@aol.com Just wanted to updaate everyone on the awrds as of now: Champion - $50.00 Saltee Best White Bob Cook Best Dun +15.00 Saltee Best Yellow +100.00 Saltee Best Brown 100.00 cash Ervin Furthest Traveled Exhibitor Schabert (25.00) Most birds entered Schabert (25.00) We do not have e-mail addresses for everyone so pass this on to anyone you would like. The Dixie can use the help. I have already purchased the awards and the treasury took a hit. (400.00) Scott & Joan There will be updates as we go towards this 25th Annual Winter Show, which should be bigger than any other Shows this year! Brenda has a Meeting planned with the other coordinators to set up this Great Show. So, expect a Blow by Blow accounts! THIS ONE will be a BIG one..so plan on it..we are...Expect to see the biggest display of rare colored fantails, and fantails with colors like the Germans had/ have? IE GERMAN FIELD PIGEONS. ...
WE HAVE an "Article" sent in from JIM ERVIN.
It is one written by Wayne Bowman one LEGS, and called BONES!!! It comes in several parts, and, is very brief and to the point. Wayne was a Man of few words!

We probably realized then, that, Ervin AND BOWMAN WERE originators of the Dixie Fantail Club and ERVIN THE DIXIE GENEPOOLE AS WELL; but, as well , very astute on the LEGS and leg bones , and few,very few, before them- even considered!!!

We will depend on Jim Ervin to get ANYMORE text !!!! ....IN THE OLD DIXIE BULLETIN'S

SEE BELOW THIS 19?? ARTICLE FROM JIM ERVIN CALLED BONES by WAYNE BOWMAN

Subject: Judges report Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 15:05:38 EST From: VINCBOB@aol.com To: mjduff@gateway.net Bulletin Editor and club workhorse GLFC!! Vincent: So here I am back at the trailer after having judged the Dixie in Greenville. As I was driving back I was reflecting back on the good time I had and the fellowship in this fine club. I was also reminded of Greg Duffy saying he would continue to serve as bulletin editor but wanting more input. I have always been the first in line to criticize those that write about the qualities of birds at a show where they were not asked to judge, so I guess it is my place to comment on the show and the birds. First let me say that when we go back next year if we eat at the Mayflower don't fill up on hush puppies because the platter you order will be more than you will need!!! The hospitality room was great and I am sure that after I left the usual banter started. The first class was the futurity class and there were some dandy birds in there but 2 clearly stood out, a silver check young hen and a black young cock. Later I would find out that these 2 birds would stand out from most of the birds in the show. In the morning I went with the black over the silver because while the silver was rounder she would not get all the way back into the show position. The black never let down and showed a super clean front and one of the easiest pockets while holding the legs. The futurity class is an interesting concept and I for one plan to participate next year. In ash reds I had a tough choice between the Oc and Yc. While the old cock had a better tail and body, as well as nice tail to body proportions, the young cock showed everything he had to full advantage. I decided to go with the old cock even though his presentation was not as good. In blues I picked the Duffy hen with refined wings and excellent width but the lack of tail would catch her in the finals as well as the "powdery " color and lack of sheen. The majority of the blues could not hold the pocket while moving or showing. In whites the old cock by Yancey was wide low and refined with nice top tail but not quite in peak condition. He was clearly the best white with the old hen not matching him in tail or body. In whites I had to reap what I had sown in Louisville and was faced with a young cock with considerable color in the tail shafts. While many of the classes had some birds with a bit of white in the flights, or in the rump the standard allows me 5 points to assess these colors, and birds can be docked there. In whites however there are no points for color to dock, and to say we can dock under plumage is tough when the standard attributes 10 points to "clean, neat, hard and tight fitting" but says nothing else. We have to breed "toward" the standard and judge "by" it. The standard does not address this situation and judges are left hanging. I have always felt this was an area that needs clarification. I opted to put the bird in the pied class, because whites are not like other colors ACCORDING TO THE STANDARD, right or wrong. In blacks the Saltee young cock had a smaller tail but was superior in color and refinement in front. The Winkles hen had that wide body we strive for but was slightly softer in feather and slatey. The young cock class was an interesting class with many different styles that forced me to get my chair and start adding points. In silvers the old cock from Yancey was one of the best silver cocks I have seen, very wide and smooth across the front but his lack of motion and inconsistency on his legs at times would catch him in the finals. In yellows the little yellow from Saltee was small of body with only enough tail to balance her but had extremely good pocket while holding the legs, something very hard to achieve in this color. The powder blue lacked the tail to go high in the finals. Cream young hens was one of my toughest decisions. It could have gone either way, with one taking best and one taking reserve. When the Bronson cream got in the finals it improved by at least 5 points over its appearance compared to when it was in the color class, showing nice body to tail ratio but not getting to the top because if wouldn't walk and was not as wide as it could be with that nice body depth. In rares I put the the Ervin barless best. This bird still needs more tail length and doesn't have the ease in the pocket we like but what an achievement none the less. I stated that is probably the best barless bred to date. In browns I went with the young cock over the old hen both by Ervin. The old hen is superior in color and body but was not quite finished and maybe that is what stopped her from really getting back and showing off the fine qualities she has. I couldn't help think what a beautiful mating the two of them would make. In checkers the silver check young hen from Duffy was the class of the class. Duns were as tough to decide as the creams for me. There were some pretty impressive duns there, all with only adequate tails but with exceptional bodies. The young hen and young cock were close but I liked the deeper body on the young cock better, but he was a bird that would show it to you and then take it away. Every time he took it away there was the old Saltee cock standing there showing me everything he had. After the third time the young cock "took it away" I went with the old cock. The indigos went much the same way. The young hen and the second young cock were pretty fancy pigeons but every time they took it away there was the first place young cock of Winkles showing everything he had to the max. Indigos were interesting from a color standpoint, we had ribbontails, recessive red, T patterns, bars, open checks, dilutes covering the gamut. Grizzles had some exceptional birds. The two olds hens from Duffy went best and reserve with 2 different style pigeon s there. The best was the full bodied hen that was round from every angle but had little motion. I took her over the second place bird that would move but gave a more upright and square look. Both pretty fancy birds but the lack of motion would catch the old hen in the finals. Pieds were an interesting class. The young cock of Winkles is a much better pigeon than he first appears. If you point out this bird he lacks very little except that he does not have the body to tail ratio to get him in the last 2 or 3 places. The reserve was an old hen with probably the best wingline in the show. I pointed her out at the time that she had a wingline very close to the O'Dell drawing. Her lack of feather length, shoeing and getting all the way into the show position kept her from being best pied. In andalusians I went with an old cock that while a large pigeon, and not with the nearly flat tail we desire was super smooth and almost ceramic. When pointing out the best 2 saddles they actually were pretty close. The Saltee red excelled in markings, color, wingline, and feather quailty. The Winkles kite was superior in body width, body depth, and pocket. I went with the kite. In reds I noticed that the color is improving but in general they lack the ability to hold the pocket and move at the same time. I chose a red of Smith as best. There were individual birds there that if we could splice all the pieces together would get us a long way toward the standard. I pointed out the wingline of the Yancey pied old hen. The best tail was probably on the old checker hen of Smith, best body would have been the Duffy grizzle old hen, best pocket was probably the Winkles pied young cock, but the trick is putting this all together and then figuring what are the right wheels underneath to carry them. In champion row I narrowed the field to the white, black, pied and check. All of these birds were potential winners. The pied just lacked the body to tail ratios to make him a champion. The standard says under carriage and motion "with as much top tail as possible showing above the body when viewed from the front and at eye level" and because he was a larger bird he couldn't rank with the others. The black, while I placed it over the checker in the morning began to give me several looks where one leg would bow inward when it set up. The white had the widest body and legs but was not in peak condition with a couple of tail feathers in quill, some frayed, and some soiling. The checker was a little narrower in the legs from the front and showed a few stray feathers underneath. I would have liked to see any one of these birds get up and walk across the pen, stop, pose, then strike off across the pen again without proding. This would have swayed my final decision, but they all walked when coaxed. The checker won over the white on condition. The standard says "plumage: clean, neat, hard, tight fitting: 10 points. The white won over the black because it out pointed the color points with body width and leg width as well as the straightness of the legs from the front. The black was over the pied because of the amount of top tail it showed over the body plus the 2 ½ color points I awarded that the pied is ineligible for Once again I would like to thank the club for the opportunity to give you my opinion.

CARRIAGE and MOTION by WM "BILL" O'DELL

Pages Two & Three( page one on Estate Lofts) end Another very informative Article.
THE FANTAIL STANDARD of PERFECTION

Email: jmervin@mindspring.com