A Champion Who Lifts a Whole Province
Some fanciers have a good season. Some enjoy a strong stretch of form. But every now and then you meet someone who builds a colony so complete that it lifts a whole region. In Limburg that name is Huub Hermans from Born, a fancier who crowned decades of dedication in 2025 with the dream title of first general champion of Afdeling Limburg. The most coveted honour in the province, brought home to the same little street where it all began.
Where the Story Begins
Born in Born, the story starts with a young boy on a wooden bench behind the parental house, playing with a few fancy pigeons until neighbour Pierre de Bruijn stepped in. Fancy pigeons were fun, but real racing pigeons, that was something different. Huub made the switch, built his first loft from scrap wood and from that moment on there was no turning back.
The Power of the Van Loon Base
The real turning point came in the early eighties when Huub connected with the legendary Thei Bours from Elsloo. At the provincial show he obtained vouchers and received youngsters and eggs from the very best Bours birds. A friendship was born. A mentorship that would shape an entire colony. The Bours loft was built on the pure Van Loon pigeons from Poppel, and today around eighty five percent of the Hermans colony still carries this blood. The rest exists only to sharpen, strengthen and elevate the base.
Building a Colony of Proven Quality
Through the years the colony was enriched with pure quality. Youngsters from Lei Zinken in Sittard. A powerful breeding pair from Jo van Deurzen in Roermond. Direct pigeons from Dirk van Dyck in Zandhoven with heavy Kannibaal inbreeding that later formed the iconic Teletext breeding pair. The Olympic super pair of Meindert de Jong. A son and two sisters of National Harry from Jo and Florian Hendriks. Two hens from Van Hove Uytterhoeven including the mother of the third provincial young bird ace of 2025. National winners like the first national Vichy from Corne Schmitz and the first national Lorris from Gerard Koopman. Seven late youngsters from the Willem de Bruijn strain via Jan de Werd Patagoon. One rule guided every introduction. If it does not improve the Van Loon base it does not get a second chance.
The Dream Season of 2025
The 2025 result list reads like a victory parade. In Vlieggebied Midden Limburg and Afdeling Limburg Huub appears at the top of almost every ranking. First loft champion day long distance. First loft champion young birds. First general champion. Sixth national NPO mid distance ace pigeon. A season built on structure, talent and relentless focus.
The Stars of the Loft
Three pigeons carried the season onto the highest podiums.
Miss Magic 091, NL23 9489091, was already a talent as a youngster with seven prizes. As a yearling she became outstanding with nine prizes including first Issoudun against 321 pigeons, sixth provincial Issoudun against 1576, sixth national section 1B Issoudun, and strong results on Sens. In 2025 she added thirteen prizes with ten times one in ten, shining again from Chateauroux and Issoudun and earning her place in De Allerbeste as mid distance and old bird ace. Her pedigree is classic Hermans power, TT pair blood with heavy Kannibaal and the influence of Blue Magic.
Mister Meindert, NL23 9489146, a direct son from the Meindert de Jong super pair, became a real points machine in 2025. Eleven prizes, nine times one in ten, and top results that placed him eighth speed ace pigeon in Vlieggebied Midden Limburg. A pigeon that never disappoints.
And then there is Mister Chalons 313, NL24 8580313, the revelation of the season. As a youngster already third from Chalons against 1743 pigeons, but as a yearling he completely exploded. Second Chalons against 3707 pigeons. Twelfth Chalons against 1885. Top positions from Sens, Sourdun, Brienne and Issoudun, and sixth provincial Issoudun against 2136 pigeons. His titles speak for themselves. First mid distance ace in Vlieggebied Midden Limburg. First mid distance ace in Afdeling Limburg. Sixth national NPO mid distance ace. Third best yearling of the Netherlands in De Allerbeste. His pedigree is a dream combination with Mitch from Meindert de Jong, Randy and Fleur, and on the dam side a full sister of National Harry combined with Hooymans blood.
The next generation is already coming. The young hen NL25 1455312 raced prize after prize and finished second young bird ace in Vlieggebied Midden Limburg and third in Afdeling Limburg. Again a perfect blend of the TT pair line, Blue Magic and Van Hove Uytterhoeven.
Lofts and System Built for Rhythm
The lofts at Born are spacious and logically structured. Youngsters above the garage. Breeders below with hens upstairs. A third loft for thirty two racing cocks on widowhood. Ventilation is controlled. Temperatures managed. Mist spray used when needed. Cocks train in the morning. Hens later in the day. Youngsters slot in between. Pre season tosses to thirty five kilometres and midweek tosses whenever the weather allows. Everything is built around rhythm.
Feeding and Health with Structure
Feeding revolves around Patagoon supplemented with touches of Ochtendmix from Willem de Bruijn, P forty pellets, peanuts and fresh grit. In the moult he adds buttermilk and minerals over the feed. During heavy racing more energy rich grains come onto the menu while hens are managed tighter and cocks receive a little more. The medical program is strict and clear with paramyxo and herpes vaccinations, respiratory cures when needed, regular checks at dr Boskamp and a well planned moult routine including paratyphus treatment.
Selection That Keeps the Loft Elite
At Huub selection is straightforward and honest. Around two thirds leave after the season. Only pigeons that repeatedly appear at the front stay. Youngsters are judged mainly on races with two nights in the basket although top talents with strong origin can receive an extra chance as yearlings. This approach keeps the loft sharp year after year and ensures that quality stays at the centre of everything.
References Across the Globe
The strongest proof of Hermans quality is the global reference list. Olympic pigeons in Poznan and Maastricht. National ace pigeons in Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Romania, Bosnia Herzegovina and the Netherlands. National winners from Romania to Austria and Germany. One Loft Race toppers at Victoria Falls, Costa del Sol, Derby Arona, Kamikaze, Sliven, Lang Lang and Buana. Names like Blue Magic, Super zero zero six, Super zero one five, Magic Surprise, Magic Kratos, the Teletext pair and the TT couple keep appearing. These pigeons win everywhere, in all climates, systems and hands.
Why Fanciers Like Huub Matter
Fanciers like Huub keep our sport sharp and honest. They invest in health and structure instead of shortcuts. They build families instead of chasing hype. They share their pigeons and watch them win across the world. They show that even in the modern era with all its systems and technology, a strong base and hard selection remain the winning formula.
From Bench to Champion
From a six year old boy on a bench with fancy pigeons behind the garage to first general champion of Afdeling Limburg and supplier of Olympic class bloodlines across continents. That is the journey of Huub Hermans from Born. A story full of passion and craftsmanship and the kind of story that makes our beautiful racing pigeon sport so irresistibly addictive.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
