In January I had the pleasure of visiting America for the National Show in San Bernardino (California) where there were over 8,000 birds on view.The venue and the event were a fantastic success, the hospitality and friendship shown by the Americans was second to none and my thanks go out to them.
Needless to say most of my stay was spent with the Tumbler breeders and they were out in force in Clean-Legs and Muffs - Roland Teed, Ron Tiexaria, Gary Zentner, Corky Packard, Don Copeland and John Leatherman in Clean-Legs; Pat Jones, John Mahaffy, Jim Sterhe and of course Mr Muff Tumbler, Larry Deckert for the Muffs. Each one gave us a very warm welcome. I must mention Bob Smith. This gentleman has shown Tumblers since the 1930s and still gives strong competition today, at the age of 88. Bob also put on a hospitality room in our hotel every night, totally free, fair play Bob and a big thank you from all of us who had the pleasure of your company.
My visit was made even better with the companions I had, Mike Knaggs, Gerard Herdsman, Jim Macgarrigle, Jason Coogan and last but not least John and Marion Graves, great crack, thanks.
On to the birds. Clean-Leg judges were Mike Knaggs and Jeff Krahenbring (Australia), Mike and Jeff had an extremely hard time as the standard was first class and when these comments come from these judges that says it all. The winners were well spread with Don Copeland coming out on top with a blue bar; this pigeon had it all, power, type, colour and beak, well done to Don and commiserations to Roland for just being pipped. Well done to all exhibitors on a fantastic turn out of quality birds.
The Muffs were judged by Roland Teed and John Rice, and it was something different to watch the judging all being done in walking pens with us all seated out front watching and hearing the comments of the judges. I have been told this is how Muffs should be judged and I add my support to that as it was fair and honest for all to see and hear, well done. Larry Deckert had a very strong team on show and this gentleman has quality in abundance in most colours. He had too many winners to mention but I must add that Jim Sterhe's whites were excellent. The winner came from the Deckert camp and I could have smuggled this bird out of America, and I don't keep blacks, but this bird was special and a young bird too.
