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6 – Purebred PIGEON
Croppers
&
Pouters
at the 2024
NPA National
By Scott Sharp, Scotland
Photos in show cages by Scott Sharp,
all others by Layne Gardner
After enjoying the NPA National in Amarillo a few
years ago, my wife and I decided to go to the Louisville
event this year. After getting flights and hotel booked,
I was asked by Todd Millard if I would judge the Holle
Croppers for the Holle Club. Then nearer the time, Charlie
Rowe asked if I’d judge other breeds of Croppers and
Pouters, which I was delighted to do for the NP&CC.
On reaching the hotel, we were pleased to find
Bill Griebel, Fred Maenpa, Chet Edmunds and Hennie
Kersten were booked there so we traveled to and from the
show with them and had our meals on the Thursday and
Saturday with them as well as the Friday evening banquet.
I have known Bill and Fred for many years, having met
them at various LAPC Pageants but it was the first time
we had met Chet – a really very nice guy, also from the
LAPC. And when Hennie was introduced to us, it was
an instant bond. What a funny guy! The five of us had a
really great time together and I’d like to thank them for
Champion Pouter at the NPA National 2024 - Black English Hen - Trevor Nau
Reserve Champion Pouter - Bavarian Pouter bred by Beals and Gardner
making our trip so enjoyable.
As the bad weather was delaying many exhibitors, we
decided not to judge any birds on Thursday, letting the birds
settle in their cages after their long journeys. Early on the Friday
morning we started on the Holles. The Holle guys wanted their
birds judged in the large cages that were set up for the other
breeds, and some of the birds took a while to settle down. But
there were some really nice birds. The Whites were especially
nice. After getting the birds settled down, it was a hard decision
to pick the winner, especially in the Whites with so many good
birds, but I eventually decided on a lovely hen owned by Mike
Pope, who also won reserve with a very typy Red. I suggested
that at their next show they should experiment with judging the
birds in the smaller cages with cardboard around the back and
sides and I think that is what they are going to do.
We then started on the other breeds. Norwich came up first,
and some excellent birds were present. There was an outstanding
Black with gorgeous shiny black colour and huge well-sprung
globe, but unfortunately some feathers at the bottom of its crop