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Helmet – Page 32 – Purebred PIGEON
Breed of the Issue - Helmet
Stewardshipof theHobby
By Danny Revolinsky
H
aving been around the pigeon hobby all my life I
learned early on it’s a commitment for sure.
I used to admire the fancy embroidery and
beautiful Pigeons displayed on the back of the breeders’
Loft Coats and the way they conducted themselves at the
meetings.
Fast forward I met my good friend John Heppner who
encouraged me early on to become an active member of
the National Pigeon Association. John’s perspective in the
hobby is epic and he expressed the importance of support-
ing the hobby. Not just by showing birds but by taking the
time to lend a hand or to answer a newcomer’s questions.
I welcomed the advice and started attending every Grand
National.
Uncle Sam came along and made me an offer, so I
started traveling and showing all over the United States by
transferring duty stations every few years. As time went
on, I found myself spending more time helping with the
show than messing with the pigeons. Along the way, I
always seemed to see the same people working and giving
back to the hobby.
Shortly after retiring from the service, I realized most
of the people I spent time with at the shows had Helmets.
My good friend Vic Eshpeter had been attending Grand
Nationals since the early 1960’s and asked me why I didn’t
raise Helmets.
Years passed I observed many different clubs but
always admired the American Helmet Association and the
way they conducted themselves. We moved out to Oregon
in 2000 and the Helmet guys held a large presence. No
matter where you go, they show at District shows, section-
al shows and of course the Grand Nationals. Once I be-
came a member, my enthusiasm was back and soon, I was
actively showing and breeding a different breed of pigeons.
Of course, having had English Shortface for many
years, choosing a type of Helmet was easy: short face
crested. What a difference in culture from what I was used
to. I went from a group of angry old-timers to a great group
of people who do whatever is necessary for the club and
the hobby. Obtaining breeders was difficult due to the short
beaks – it’s difficult to raise enough to go around but with
persistence I was off and breeding. It took much longer
than I expected to get competitive, so I had to pump out a
lot of birds and learn the advanced class on crested birds.
Once I somewhat understood the feather code, things were
looking good. I have since taken on short face plainheads
and absolutely love them.
Long story short, if you’re looking for a group of guys
who compete hard, have a lot of fun and support the hobby
consider the American Helmet Association.•
Editor’s Note: At the Grand National Pigeon Show in Louisville Kentucky, Danny Revolinsky won Champion SFC & Champion
Plainhead SF. He also received his Master Breeder Award from the American Helmet Association that weekend.