| Jan
van Engelen of The Netherlands
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 Martien
van Engelen, the father of Jan, started
with short and middle distance pigeons
based on pure and direct Janssen's of
Arendonk but in time Tourniers entered
the frame. In due course the stock possessed
began to perform and eventually the van
Engelen's won both large semi national
middle distance races into the centre
of Holland (Orleans 488 km- a car winner,
and Etampes 430 km.). Both races were
won within twelve months. Then at the
end of 1987 a large number of shorter
distance pigeons were sold and the following
years were used to build a strain for
the long distance.
With
the latter objective in mind the then
partnership bought pigeons containing
the bloodlines of such as Andre Vanbruaene
and direct Jac van der Wegen's. Their
plan began to bear fruit for in the early
nineteen nineties the first good results
came such as 4th National La Souterrainne
and 29th National Tarbes. In 1994 the
results were good with 5 prizes from St
Vincent starting with 156th Nat., 10th
Nat Dax, 84th Nat. Bergerac, and most
promising 1st and 2nd Barcelona in their
region.
 Then
tragedy- for their lofts were the victims
of ill health and it took them about three
years to recover with a new beginning
in 1997. But recover they did with 94th
national Ruffec and 44th St.Vincent National.
Followed by a better year in 1998 64th
National Bergerac and 1st long distance
champion of region seven. Then in 1999,
7th National Champion Long Distance of
the Netherlands. Followed by 1st e Bergerac,
37 minutes ahead, 1st e Marseille Fond
club, 1,5 hour ahead, and 9e Nat. Bordeaux.
To be followed in 2001 for the 3rd year
in succession 1st Champion Long Distance
in the CCG. The successes of this family
has continued modestly since and I believe
that they are due a big win in the European
circuit. A win that may have been postponed
due to the arrival of a devastating disease
as referred to.
The
van Engelen lofts has a good future, I
believe, based upon a successful plan
of management and they also contain representatives
of the best long distance modern families
such as the Schellekens and the Gyselbrecht's,
coupled with those referred too earlier.
Watch out for them!
by: Liam O Comain |
