Next weekend is the moment every true enthusiast has been craving for months. The Voorjaarsbeurs in Houten is back. Thanks to the relentless dedication of Pieter Kos and his entire team, the foundation of this event stands like a fortress. If anyone thinks pigeon racing is on its knees just because suffocating avian flu measures mean there won’t be a single bird in a crate this year, they are dead wrong. This sport is far greater than any restrictive government regulations. We are the sport.
Empty Crates but Fire in Our Eyes
Let’s address the elephant in the room immediately. There will be no live pigeons on the exhibition floor. It is a bitter pill to swallow, an absurd situation where you are allowed to let your birds fly above your own loft but are forbidden from driving a strictly controlled crate to a sterile exhibition hall. While other countries often grant their fanciers more breathing room, the Netherlands opts for maximum caution. Has the soul been ripped out of the event? Not a chance. The passion for our Pigeons isn’t just found in their feathers, it flows through the blood of the men and women who show up for this sport every single day.
Why the Voorjaarsbeurs Houten is More Vital Than Ever
Precisely because the physical trade of young birds has been restricted, the focus shifts to where the real victories are won: strategy. This year, the Voorjaarsbeurs is the absolute headquarters for anyone planning to crush the competition in the coming season. The halls will be packed with the latest scientific breakthroughs in nutrition and supplements. You can bet that the champions of tomorrow are stocking up on their secret weapons this weekend. Anyone who thinks success just happens by accident has never stepped inside a champion loft. Success is a choice, and that choice begins on the floor in Houten.
The Massive Void of Dutch One Loft Races
As we walk across the exhibition floor, we see agents for One Loft Races from every corner of the globe. Colorful stands, shiny cars as top prizes, and an atmosphere of international allure. It is an absolute shame that the Netherlands has kept its doors locked to this branch of the sport since 2005. It is a missed opportunity for the new generation and a slap in the face for the veteran fanciers who can no longer race from their own backyards but still want to invest and stay involved. Houten is the place where we hold these debates, where we put our heads together, and where we show that Dutch pigeon racing deserves a fair shot.
Connection as the Ultimate Medicine
We aren’t closing this weekend with a funeral march but with a celebration. Pigeon racing is about emotion, but it is also about unbreakable connections. It’s about those deep conversations at the feed stands, the debates over one-day long distance tactics, and the blueprints made for the Vitesse. The show pigeon gala organized by Ruud Moes on Sunday evening is the absolute cherry on top. It is a night of recognition, friendship, and class. No sales, no haggling, just pure appreciation for the champions among us. That is what the Voorjaarsbeurs Houten represents: pride in our shared passion.
As long as Houten lives, the sport lives. We are heading there with total conviction and a healthy dose of bravado. Come over, get the best advice, and feel the energy of thousands of fanciers who refuse to be defeated by an empty crate. This sport will not be pushed aside. We will see you in Houten!
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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