A dream come true : the PiPa Elite Center / Update list of DNA certified pigeons PEC

By Silvio Mattacchione BA MA

In North America, one of the “Elite” motivational speakers is one Mr. Anthony Robbins. He is hugely successful as a speaker that not only motivates, but inspires all those who are fortunate enough to hear his words.

Mr. Robbins was once asked a seemingly simple question, that being “What is Ultimate power?” His response was brief, profound and indicative of why Mr. Robbins is in such high regard:

“To me, ultimate power is the ability to produce the results you desire most and create value for others in the process” Anthony (Tony) Robbins

You see Mr. Robbins learned long ago that if he was to guarantee his own personal success it could only be done by insuring the success of all those with whom he interacted. In essence the success of Mr. Robbins was dependent upon the success of his clients.

What does the word “Elite” mean? Well any dictionary would list a series of synonyms including the following: best, prime, choice, elect, and cream, as in “cream of the crop”. There are a number of words that are naturally related to “Elite” and amongst others these would include words such as, aristocracy, nobility, top and upper class. As we study the etymology of the word “Elite” as we seek to understand its synonyms, as we think about its related words we come to understand the true meaning of the word “Elite”.

With the above information in mind I can now get to the point of my article, that being the significance and purpose behind the establishment in Belgium of the “PIPA Elite Center” in 2008. I had a chance to interview Nikolaas in early 2010 as I had seen reference to the “PIPA Elite Center” but knew very little about it. In my contact with Nikolaas Gyselbrecht founder of the “PIPA Elite Center” (though originally founded by Nikolaas it is owned by PIPA and the shareholders of PIPA) I was able to independently conclude that he is a super achiever, the best of his class and in order for his long term dreams to be guaranteed he must (as Anthony Robbins states above) “produce the results you desire” and “create value for others in the process”. In order for the “PIPA Elite Center” to be successful his clients must be as successful if not even more successful. Long term his personality and total commitment to quality will not allow anything but success.

At different times and in different places and countries many centers have been previously established to supply performance pigeon bloodlines. Across the world many have dreamed this dream but for virtually all reality soon set in (sooner or later) and the dreams of providing superior bloodstock soon vanished. Why has this been so in the past? This is so because the economics of such an operation can be very unforgiving and as the economic stress intensifies the stated purpose (that is producing highly exclusive performance racing pigeons) is sacrificed to economics so that inevitably “volume” replaces “quality”. Which unfortunately always leads to long term disaster?

Environment

What Is The Purpose OF The PiPa Elite Center? It seems to me that the purpose of the Pipa Elite Center is for Nikolaas to use his unparalleled access, knowledge and considerable expertise to create, (to make available to a very few select clients) a unique strain of one day long distance pigeons (400 km till 900 km) that are the best in the world. The “PIPA Elite Center” is dedicated to sourcing and purchasing unique pigeons ( all of the breeders at the Elite Center are DNA tested, a strict bio­security protocol is adhered to and the health program is under the supervision of Dr. Carlo Gyselbrecht a world class Doctor of Veterinary Medicine).

The pigeons in the PEC ( PiPa Elite Center ) have certain inherent qualities and these are:

• In the hand they must be, the “Best of the Best”, the very cream of the crop. • Their pedigree or genetic heritage must be flawless, again the “Best of the Best” • The few pigeons eventually sold must be exclusive, not mass produced, The “Best of the Best”

To the best of my knowledge no one so far has followed this total unswerving commitment to exclusivity. I will give you a very real example of their philosophy as it was explained to me. Let us, for example, consider the children of “Freddy” (sire of “Dromer”) it is safe to say that they are very exclusive pigeons. It is also very safe to say that Nikolaas @ “PIPA Elite Center” is not interested to simply introduce any children of Freddy, NO! He will only introduce “Exquisite” children of Freddy those that are splendid in the hand, those that posses perfect balance, perfect muscle, perfect feather, exceptional eyes, as well as an exception Dam because the mother is as important as the exceptional “Freddy”. I think that you will agree that it is very difficult to obtain this caliber of pigeon yet for Nikolaas and the “PIPA Elite Center” nothing else is acceptable!

Extra­Ordinary Quality/What A Refreshing Concept! I have a very interesting story to relate. Years ago my friend Jim McLean of Canada joked with me when I had asked him a question on how he did what he did and he responded “VOLUME”. Well let me state up front that the Pipa Elite Center is not based upon “Volume”. The Centers priority is not based upon achieving sales volumes but rather about delivering to a very, very few clients extra­ordinary quality racing pigeons! Their standards are exceptionally high so much so that Nikolaas will not introduce a pigeon into the center as a breeder unless it is truly outstanding. I thought to myself “easy to say but how does one guarantee this”? The answer came immediately each

potential acquisition is handled by undisputable experts the likes of Mr. Frans Sablon and Mr. Erik Limbourg, Mr. Martin Martens, Mr. Freddy Vandenheede, his father Dr. Carlo. As in any organization “Quality Control” is very important and in the International pigeon world these men without a doubt form the greatest quality control department ever assembled! Well so much for quality assurance. I would kill to have this team helping me in my selections.

When Was The “PIPA Elite Center” Started? The Pipa Elite Center was started on a very small and exclusive basis with only a very select few pairs in 2008­ 2009. The 2009­2010 breeding seasons is the official launch of their breeding activities with just 12 breeding pairs! The “Pipa Elite Center” has room for only 12 breeding pairs. And this is definitely intentional. Their goal is that of “Quality at all costs not Quantity”. It is really the fulfillment of a long term dream that Nikolaas has had. His dedication to the pigeon sport has never wavered and as the founder of “PIPA” Nikolaas now has the expertise, contacts and financial horsepower to make his dreams come true. Interestingly enough because of his position at PIPA he has the ability to find super pigeons faster than virtually anyone else and a great part of his “Elite” pigeons were bought at auctions arranged by “PIPA”. Well now that is not surprising is it!

“I wanted To Compete In the Best One Loft Races In The World” The founding of the PIPA Elite Center now allows Nikolaas to participate in some of the best one loft races in the world .These high profile one loft races, in various countries, require youngsters to fly distances of between 400 – 600 km. These races, generally require, a different type of pigeon than the long distance pigeons of our Gyselbrecht family. I say, in general, because for some one­loft races the pigeons of his father’s Gyselbrecht strain (extreme long distance pigeons) are doing very well. Especially for one­loft races with very hard weather circumstances like the Derby Arona in Tenerife. For the first time last year,PiPa & the Gyselbrecht family sent 9 pigeons to Sun City Million Dollar Race .They had 2 pigeons in the top 90 in the final race flown in February of 2010. Their 2nd pigeon, number 87, is bred from the Gyselbrecht long distance strain. Interestingly enough their first pigeon who placed 13th was bred from the PIPA Elite Center pigeons. It was a very hard final race with headwinds and the birds flying and 590 km in total over 5,000 pigeons were originally sent to this SCMDPR. A very promising beginning against the finest pigeons in the world.

Parents 13th place Sun City Million Dollar Pigeon Race South Africa 2010

Father : "The One & Only"

Mother : Daughter "Semi"

Testing, Testing and More Testing! “With only 12 pairs of Breeders at the PIPA Elite Center and due to your very hectic schedule with constant traveling how can the pigeons be tested” I asked? Nikolaas had it covered, “yes I want to win races” but the reality is he has little time so he has arranged for 2 rounds of youngsters bred by the “PIPA Elite Center” to be housed and raced in the lofts of Freddy & Jacques Vandenheede. The Vandenheede brothers are at the very top, at the national level, in the young bird races and on the one day long distance. They compete on national level in one of the most competitive countries in the world of pigeon racing. “So there is no better way for us to test our breeding program than to have our young birds raced in their lofts!” says Nikolaas. This year (2010) it is the beginning of their testing with about 30 youngsters. One round of youngsters will be used in key One Loft races around the world and the remaining two rounds will be bred for eventual sale. These youngsters must be exceptional for if they are not good enough for Nikolaas and his quality control team they will not be sold at all. Nikolaas says, “I will not sell a pigeon that I do not believe in.” Clearly, for Nikolaas and his new Elite Center quality comes above all.

Multiple Strains With The Ultimate Goal of One Strain The Pipa Elite Center was started with multiple strains with the ultimate goal being the creation of a new strain that is highly successful. The PIPA Elite Center facility houses mainly pigeons of the De Rauw Sablon strain. Thè "De Rauw Sablon" pigeons have caused quite a buying frenzy over the past years and the stir in the sport has been quite unbelievable. Never in the past has a pigeon strain dominated the pigeon sport as thoroughly as De Rauw­ Sablon birds have done over the past years.

Imagine: Erik Limbourg bought a round of youngsters, together with his friend Geert De Clercq in 2003, about 30 youngsters in total. One of these birds became 1st national ace pigeon KBDB One Day Long Distance (most prestigious title in the pigeon sport in Belgium); another one was 2nd national ace pigeon KBDB One Day Long Distance. And another one becomes father of the 1st national ace pigeon KBDB One Day Long Distance!!

Of course Erik Limbourg is one of the best racing pigeon fanciers in the world, but never in his life has he been as successful as he has been the last years. I think at this moment that the De Rauw Sablon collection @ the Pipa Elite Center is one of the most important in the world. The Pipa Elite Center also added some Koopman line pigeons, a brother of Reza, and a child of Amores Dirk from Leijtens : Blois 2, she won 1e NPO and many other top prizes. These birds were introduced because, as Nikolaas states, “ the Koopman pigeon strain is doing great all over the world in the toughest of races”. Nikolaas will only introduce new PEC­breeders when he is convinced that they will be of exceptional value. Nikolaas makes his intentions quite clear when he states “We want to create a strain that can win anywhere in the world in no matter which circumstances.”

The Proof Is In The Pudding! I asked Nikolaas for a brief preview of what is now breeding at the PIPA Elite Center “one of the most important pigeons” Nikolaas says is "Lucky 848". He is considered by many as the best De Rauw Sablon breeder in the world.

"Lucky 848" ( Father Blue Ace, Father Cock Bak 17, etc...) ­ Now 8 children of him are in the breeding loft of Erik Limbourg !! ( Does that say enough ? )

Next to him, PEC has 4 children of superkweker Freddy , 2 children of Dromer, 2 children of Limoges ( 1 bought at the total auction of Frans Sablon and another one is bred last year in 2009, from the Limoges, and we can use from Frans Sablon ), 1 daughter Marseille, 2 children Bak 17 Aelbrecht, 1 child of Albi x his own mother (sister goudklompje), 1 sister of Albi, 1 daughter of Bolleke Watten, 1 daughter of Montélimar, 1 son of Frans, daugter

superbreeder Aelbrecht (970/96), direct daughter blauwe Prins when Blauwe Prins ( Blauwe Prins is the first son Pros Roosen bred from Superkweker Freddy, and immediately it was his best son also, a super bird ) was paired to a daughter Marseille, 1 daughter of Triggerfinger, original Freddy Vandenheede. (all of these are De Rauw­Sablon)

"Wondere Freddy" ( son Freddy x daughter Marseille )

Daughter "Bolleke Watten x Sister Dromer" ( this hen has been paired to Lucky 848 )

"Marimba" ( Daughter Dromer x Marijke )

Daughter "Superkweker Freddy" when Freddy was paired to mother Magna Carta (Magna Carta was Olympiad pigeon in the lofts of Jos Thoné)

Daughter "Limoges x granddaughter Marseille" ( bought on the total auction of Frans Sablon, 2nd highest bidder : Erik Limbourg )

Son "Superkweker Freddy" ( Full Brother Blauwe Prins )

"Blue Super Frans" ( Son superbreeder Frans )

"Everybody's Favourite"

"875 Freddy" ( direct son "superkweker Freddy" ) ­ full brother Super Freddy sold in SG Jung's auction @ 32.200 euro.

Daughter "Marseille" ( This was the best breeding hen of Paolo Rodrigues Portugal )

Daughter 970/96 Aelbrecht ( 970/96 is father 1st national ace pigeon KBDB 2003 "De Patron" )

"Lucky 888" youngest child Limoges in the world (owned by Frans Sablon, used for breeding by PiPa, a copy of his father, DNA certificate available)

Daughter Montélimar

Daughter Triggerfinger ( a gift from Freddy Vandenheede to the PiPa Elite Center, a beautiful hen )

Full Sister Albi ( bought @ total auction of Frans Sablon, and strongly advised by Frans Sablon )

"Lady Locco" ( Daughter Locco )

Next to De Rauw Sablon, Nikolaas has a full brother Reza, a son of Jonge Supercrack Ludo Claessens, a daughter of Supervedette Ludo Claessens, a hen that won 1st NPO in Leijtens lofts ( she is granddaughter to Kleine Dirk x Amoré ), a direct son of wonderhen Paulientje, super racing pigeon Blois from R&P Draye, daughter Fenomeentje ( Fenomeentje 1st nat ace pigeon KBDB middle distance young pigeons ) , son Nadira, son Queen of Belgium ( who was father of our 1st pigeon in the Million Dollar Pigeon Race ­ see picture of this breeder in attachment ), 2 daughters of wonder pigeon "Semi" from Antoine Benoot, son of Amores Dirk ( Amores Dirk is son of Kleine Dirk x Amore in Leijtens lofts ), one daughter of Marijke ( best breeding hen in the loft of Koopman at the moment ( Marijke is a direct daughter of Aladin x Farah Diba ), one daughter super racing pigeon Locco, one son superbreeder Kaasboer.

"Blois 2" ( bought in the Jewels of the Sky ­ 1° NPO Leijtens ­ granddaughter Kleine Dirk x Amoré )

"Sultan" ( Brother Reza )

"Kaasboer I" ( Son Kaasboer )

Ludo Claessens pair : "Great Wall" ( Son Jonge Supercrack x Daughter Simply The Best ( this pigeon is received as a gift from Great

Wall ) )

"Young Supervedette" (Daughter Supervedette x Blauw 92 ( this pigeon is received as a gift from Mr. Pei ))

No doubt those few lucky people who will have the opportunity to participate in the dream ( PIPA Elite Center) of that Belgian youngster, Nikolaas Gyselbrecht who grew up to found the most important, most exclusive auction house in the world www.PIPA.be , will not soon be disappointed in his “PIPA ELITE CENTER”.