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Pigeons off to a flying start

While many Wimmera sporting competitions have been restricted and-or put on hold due to COVID-19, Horsham Racing Pigeon Club has escaped the circumstances.

The sport can proceed because a racing pigeon returns to its backyard loft instead of a sporting field and avoids a large gathering of spectators.

Pigeon racing started in Horsham in 1918 following the First World War, with the first race from Dimboola, an airline distance of 30 kilometres. 

Fast forward to 2020 and 16 members released 692 pigeons from Hopetoun and an airline distance of 110 kilometres to Horsham.



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Members eagerly await for their first pigeon to return to its backyard loft, to be registered as having homed.  

Each pigeon carries a small microchip on a leg band, which is used to record its arrival time. The average speed flown is then calculated for each member’s leading pigeon to determine race placings.

Last weekend’s results:  First, John Muszkieta’s pigeon flew the race in two hours and one minute. His pigeon averaged 904.1 metres a minute; Second, Brian Watts 896.11; third, the McPhee family, 890.75 

Club racing this weekend will also be from Hopetoun.

The entire July 8, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!