About Fast Sprint Pigeons

Introduction

This web site has been developed to so I can offer the Racing Pigeon Fraternity
access to proven sprint and middle distance racing pigeons at a reasonable price.

• I have been breeding and racing pigeons for over 40 Years
• I have bred and owned two Champion pigeons including winner of the
  RPRA National Champion.

Background

My name is Simon Scholfield I fly under the partnership name of McCormick &
Scholfield. The McCormick connection was my late Grandfather although not a
pigeon fancier he built my first pigeon loft to house a mix of Fancy pigeons and stray
racers. At the age of 9, I kept my first pigeon in an orange box in the back of a van,
the pigeon was as tame as a Robin but unfortunately he was stolen and that is when
my Grandfather stepped in and built me my first loft.
In 1979 I met local fancier Eddie Faulkner – he saw me training my birds from the
local flats although I had never seen ‘proper racing pigeons’ I joined the local pigeon
club in 1980 at the age of 14. Success was not immediately forthcoming so I saved
any money I earned to buy pigeons and was given some by Eddie Faulkner that
originated from Barry McNicholas (Doncaster). The birds started to produce results in
1982 and I had my first win at 16 with the Dog and Gun Flying Club.
I joined the ‘Hare Hills Flying Club ( of which I am now the President). We flew in
conjunction with the City of Leeds Federation, the Yorkshire Combine and the mighty
South Yorkshire Amalgamation with a weekly birdage up to 15,000 birds.
Throughout the late 80’s I started to emulate the performances of M Dickinson & Son
and become the highest Prize Winner flying 12 Cocks and 30 Young Birds. At this
point Haren Hills Homing Society had 50+ Members and were sending over 700 birds
per week, it was regarded as ‘the club to be in’ in no small part due to the fact that with
the race and pool wins you could earn as much as the average mans working wage.
The year 1991 was special year for me as we bred ‘Champion 37’ (GB91V88737) a
Karl Herman pigeon who won

• 9 x 1st Federation
• 9 x 1st Amalgamation (up to 2500 birds)
  He went on the win a further
• 4 x 1st Federations
• 2 x 1st Amalgamation
• 1 x 3rd Amalgamation
  In one season winning RPRA North East Region – Sprint Champion
  RPRA National Champion – All Regions

These victories were achieved when ‘Champion 37’ was 3 years old
I enjoyed success year on year with the Herman pigeons and moved House in 1995
and the success continued being the highest prize winner at Club and Federation level.
The Leeds Amalgamation was formed to send up to 6,000 birds.
In 2000 a new champion was born – ‘Champion 72’ – his breeding was impeccable,
his sire was son of Champion 37 and his dam was direct from a daughter of one
Ronnie Williamson; champions
Champion 72 won

• 1st Amalgamation – 31,000 birds
  and in one season won a further
• 5 x 1st Federation
• 7 x 1st Club ensuring he was crowned
• 1st North East Region Sprint Champion
• Runner Up RPRA National Sprint Champion (UK)
  I realised the genetics of Champion 72 were paramount and the offspring went on to
  credit the loft with being the highest prize winners in Club and the Leeds Federation
  for the next 6 years (2000 – 2005)
  In 2005 I sat waiting for my birds and felt my heart was no longer in the sport so I
  decided to sell up. A sale was organised and I sat in disbelief as a watched 34 x 1st
  Prize winners were sold. They went on the breed many Classic, Amalgamation and
  Combine winners for other fanciers.
  In 2006 I moved to my present address xxx and focused on developing my plastering
  and property business and had no interest in pigeons.
  In 2010 I had a brick loft built and came back into the sport. The comeback was
  salutary as during the next two years I had poor results, I looked at what I was doing
  and decided my brick loft was to cold so I reversed the air system to extract the air,
  took some tiles from the roof and replaced with polycarbonate and insulated the walls
  and floor and this worked.
  In 202 I was back as the highest prize winner in the Leeds Amalgamation (with
  birdage up to 15,750) and winning over 200 x 1st prizes since that date and often
  taking the first five places.
  Pairing Up
  The Stock and Race teams are paired up around the 22nd January giving myself and
  the birds a good rest.

I feed a good breeding mix as well as Tic beans which I feel are ideal for breeding
good and strong youngsters. I also supply Layers Pellets with Grit and Minerals, the
Young Birds are moved after 21 days.
Training
Starts after the Young Birds are moved. I allow the pairs to re-leay as it makes them
easy to catch and basket. The first toss is from 15 miles leading up to 60 miles as
many times as weather and time permits before the first race.
The birds are split up 2 weeks before the first race – Cocks to their boxes and Hens to
their Section. The training continues 1 to 3 times per week xxx?
The Young Birds are placed on Darkness when weaned and are trained to trap to a
whistle and with some white fantails. Whistle – Fantail on Trap-board – Food, all
pigeons must comply to this simple discipline.
The Young Bird training starts in earnest in June starting at 2 miles sometimes as
many as 6 times until they are breaking immediately towards the flight line, this
distance is extended at intervals up to 45 miles.
I breed about 60/80 Young Birds as I feel the days of 20 youngsters have gone with
the increase in birds of prey, the intensity of the training/racing and other hazards
Once racing starts the Young Birds have 4 tosses per week up to 45 miles the birds
and I benefit as they are received at the loft by my Wife Julie who notes and traps
them. The birds are released in large groups initially and smaller groups as they gain
experience I do not have the time to single toss my young birds. I train by myself as in
the past when I trained with the community I found the following season I had lots of
‘followers’ and homers’ that I do not want.
As mentioned before the birds are ‘darkened’ when weaned (1st week March) and kept
on the system until the longest day. I then switch the lights on until 10:00 pm to hold
the moult – this system seems to work very well.
I have automatic blinds which lowers at 09:30 pm and lifts at 12:00 noon which is
when I come home from work and they can be exercised.

My Young Birds are all left together I do not split them. They are exercised 2 x day
and they are fed in from their exercise.
I experience Young Bird Sickness that I treat with an antibiotic (Amoxcillin), which
seems to work fine – I have tried letting it ‘run its course’ without success.
I am also getting increased incidents of ‘Fat Eye’ that I think is the cause of many
young bird losses. I have not found a cure and let it run its course but do not race
when the birds are infected.
To have a good Young Bird Season you need well trained, fit and healthy young birds
and this is getting increasingly difficult

My System

I now fly pigeons with my Wife Julie with whom I went to school. Julie looks after
the Hens which generally are more successful then the Cocks.
We fly a ‘Chaos type system’ the cocks have widowhood boxes and the hens are in a
small section on poles.
They are ‘split’ two weeks before the first race when they are generally in good
condition from training and loft flying.
The birds are trained every day before the first race but the birds only see each other
on the weekends.
On Friday night prior to racing I open the sections and let the sexes meet. I let the
Cocks and Hens have a ‘free for all’, I’m not bothered about treading, fighting, etc. this
I feel creates ‘motivation’. After 10 minutes the birds are basketed and taken to the
Club.
On this system the birds are generally ‘in the frame’ the Hens outperforming the Cocks
as they hold their form and fly better – if you keep them from pairing.
When the Birds come ‘Home’ they are left together all day to re create the bond that I
consider essential.

My Birds

The Race team consist 35 Cocks and 35 Hens- These birds are mainly from the
Marike Vink strain with various sprint strains crossed in and out. Every Season I buy
in about 12 Young birds to try against my own. I race all young birds as much as
possible and over the years found I have had some very good and very poor birds.
I keep about 20 pairs of Stock Birds mainly ex racers with a few introductions The
Introductions are given two seasons to produce some birds with performance.
The Race Birds are generally sent weekly and again at the end of the season it is
essential to be selective with at least one notable performance expected from each
yearling or old bird. I have learned from experience with Old Birds that any bird that
cannot produce a performance in two years very rarely ever does.

The Hens are exercised 1 x day at around 1 pm they exercise well for 1 hour
The Cocks are exercised 2 x day they go out at 6 am and 5pm and do not exercise
with the same enthusiasm as the hens.

Medication

ALL birds including the fantails are vaccinated for PMV and Salmonella
ALL birds are treated for Canker with Metrontdazole prior to the first round of eggs
Droppings are sent to a pigeon vet prior to racing and any treatment required
administered.
Treatment Schedule
November vaccinate for PMV and 3 weeks after for Salmonella
3 weeks before 1st Race treat with Moxidectrin for Worms and parasites
2 weeks before the 1st race treat with a respiratory product -something with dual
antibiotics – a good time as the birds have been working hard and it is essential to
have clear airways for racing
I rotate the use of ‘Medicato’ against Canker and Respiratory on a weekly rotation
basis from Sunday to Tuesday i.e. 1 week Canker and 1 week Respiratory
The birds receive various treatments over the season for respro, worms, canker and
fungi – I usually treat blind if there is a drop in form
Feeding Old Birds
My Old birds are fed a Versalaga mix ‘Champion Superstar’ as I feel it has everything
needed for Sprint and Long Distance, I also use a lot of Barley at the beginning of the
week atnce
My Cocks and Hens are fed in trays as do not have the time to fill and empty loads of
pots. The birds receive approximately 2 x 1 oz/day with more barley if required
Feeding Young Birds
The Young Birds are fed to the Whistle (which should to them mean FOOD) They are
fed as much as they want 1 x day with a Standard Young Bird Mix with added Tic
Beans and barley. They are fed until they leave the Barley
Feeding Stock Birds
The Stock Birds are fed a Breeding Mix with added Tic Beans and Layers Pellets.
Water Additives
On Race Day: Honey and Electrolytes added to the water for the birds return
Sunday: Sedechol to cleanse the liver
Monday: A amino acid product – bought from any health shop

Tuesday : Amino Acid
Wed: Thurs: Fri: Clear water
Attributes of a Fancier
The most important attribute of a fancier is to keep Fellow Members of your club
happy and continuing flying pigeons as without them you have no competition, no
matter how good or committed you are.
To evaluate your birds on a daily basis and weed out those with less ability or bad
habits.
Look closely at your birds to ascertain they are ‘ticking over nicely’ especially on
selecting birds for tough or dodgy days ‘if in any doubt leave it out’.
Always congratulate the Winning Fancier
Look at your self in the mirror and be honest if the birds are not performing
Your the Stockman. Trainer and Coach.

Loft Hygiene

Birds
The Race team consist 35 Cocks and 35 Hens- These birds are mainly from the
Marike Vink strain with various sprint strains crossed in and out. Every Season I buy
in about 12 Young birds to try against my own. I race all young birds as much as
possible and over the years found I have had some very good and very poor birds.
I keep about 20 pairs of Stock Birds mainly ex racers with a few introductions The
Introductions are given two seasons to produce some birds with performance.
The Race Birds are generally sent weekly and again at the end of the season it is
essential to be selective with at least one notable performance expected from each
yearling or old bird. I have learned from experience with Old Birds that any bird that
cannot produce a performance in two years very rarely ever does.

The Hens are exercised 1 x day at around 1 pm they exercise well for 1 hour
The Cocks are exercised 2 x day they go out at 6 am and 5pm and do not exercise
with the same enthusiasm as the hens.
My Thoughts Vermin or Birds of Prey Issues

I think that Birds of Prey are a game changer in this sport. I predicted 5 years ago
racing and training would become spasmodic with bad races and tosses and looking at
2021 Season my fears are becoming reality. I feel the RPRA are out matched by the
RSPCA/RSPB on the Public Relations. I cannot see the situation improving as the
average Pigeon Fancier is non political and only want to fly their pigeons which leave
the onus on the RPRA to lobby MP’s and promote the sport.
.
I have an interest in Pest Control and have found the best solution for Rats and Mice
is a good Terrier dog with a planned rat bait system according to the manufacturers
instructions and using a bait box to prevent other mammals or birds being effected.
My Advice to a New Fancier
To anyone starting in the sport I would say go to the best fancier in your Federation
and buy youngsters and ask questions and then go back and ask more questions. Good
pigeons need not cost fortunes and good information is priceless
Persons I admire
I admire everyone in our Club and Federation/Amalgamation because without these
guys the sport would be pointless.
Why I think the Sport is in Decline
The age of the average fancier being in the sixties is a negative aspect for a new
person looking at the sport. a greater choice of options for the young to spend their
leisure time, the birds of prey and heavy losses being disheartening to even the
seasoned flyer.
Changes or Improvements I would like to be considered
I feel the RPRA need to implement rules that enable Federations to merge with other
Federations so as to keep a critical mass of members, otherwise the sport will self
destruct with some Fanciers out on a limb with no viable Club or Federation covering
his location allowing him to race.
The RPRA to implement some kind of ‘central liberation app’ to save the telephoning
around from a list to find what/when/where pigeons are being released.
Summary
In my opinion I have experienced the best time in the sport, I have great memories
and enjoyed some success. In the 80’s and 90’s our Club had a membership of 70 and
now the membership is 20 as over the years members have found other interest or
passed away. I cannot see a way forward other than trying to keep everyone happy
and to enjoy the sport whilst you can.
If I had to comment on why I think I have enjoyed success in this difficult sport I
would say I spend a lot of time looking at my birds and looking at myself after a bad

race I am the trainer, vet, nutritionist, and I should be looking to change things to
bring about improvement.

Conclusions
I have thoroughly enjoyed the interview with Simon he has honestly and openly
provided enough information for anyone to try and emulate his wonderful
performances. They do say that ‘you can buy good pigeons from a good fancier but
you cannot buy the fancier’ In this case Simon has been unstinting with his
information to help all of us to better with our birds and to be more accepting of the
Racing Pigeon World. I contacted Simon as I was aware his pigeons have been
winning races for other acclaimed fanciers i.e. Pete Wells -Dunstable, Terry Halley –
Watford etc I was expecting to find out information about some great pigeons and I
was not disappointed and I learned so much more. I am sure Simon and Julie will
continue to win races and his drive to continuously investigate their own performance
as well as that of their birds will make them very difficult to beat.