Although my husband of nearly 40 years, has loved and raised pigeons since before I knew him, my interest in pigeons came about when one of my young sons fell in love with a racing homer his dad was using as a feeder. He convinced his dad that he would take good care of the bird but he also needed a hen to go with him. With a lot of trial and error and just as much help from his dad, we set out to raise and fly homers. Before I knew it Ricky grew up, went off to college and "Silver Boy" died.
By this time I was totally into the racing homers I enjoyed flying them long distance or just out of the loft. Then my husband Rick introduced me to the world of showing, that was also enjoyable. But life has a way of getting in the way. As I got more into the work world and grandchildren blessed our lives, I found I had less time to devote to my pigeons; they were re-homed.
Two years ago, Rick came home with Horseman Pouter, although the English pouter is his main breed he enjoys all pouter breeds. Watching the Horseman prance and blow, I noticed how they resembled the homer. I took a liking to them right from the start. My dogs and I would check them out every day. Having wanted me to get back into birds for a while, Rick offered me a hen and cock Horseman to get started. Of course, I accepted the offer but I wanted two pair, so two pair it was. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that three of these birds came from Mike Hughes out of Arizona and one was raised by Joe Power, picked up from a local breeder.
Last year, I showed one young hen at the Des Moines' show and won Best Young Hen, she is a Blue Grizzle. This year (2012) I have concentrated on breeding to the breed standard and really getting my birds coop trained. The effort was both enjoyable and rewarding in more ways than one.
I showed at three shows this year. Little Rock, IA, Hutchinson, MN and Des Moines, IA with competition at all shows. The young I have shown won champion horseman at each show, along with reserve and champion overall pouter at two of them. At the NCIPA, I won Reserve Champion Overall and at the SMPA, I took Champion Overall Pouter.
The colors I have range from grizzle (blue, brown and yellow) to checks and bars in red, blue and khakis. My plans are to line breed my horseman to maintain the strain that was imported into this country.
