The AU Announces Eighth Annual Youth Membership Contest Winner!

 By Deone Roberts, AU Sport Development Manager

 Codie Hope, out of Sanger, Texas, is the big winner in the annual contest that gives the first prize of a new electronic timing system.  Normally Codie competes for fastest bird speed.  This contest; however, was up to Codie himself and what he had to say about his hobby and his favorite pigeon.

 This year’s winner has been racing with his dad, Ronnie, for four years in the Denton Racing Pigeon Club.   Codie has his own loft that houses a total of 45 birds.  He is careful to provide a healthy and roomy environment for his racers.  He does the bulk of the loft care, though sometimes his dad pitches in so that Codie can enjoy football and baseball practice after school.  His health care regimen includes feeding, watering and exercising daily, with a bath for the birds every Sunday. 

 Boomerang (AU 04 DEN 918), a blue bar cock, is his favorite bird.  Codie loves all his birds, but Boomerang is just a little more special because Codie raised him himself.  The esteemed pigeon is a veteran of 6 Youngbird races, placing in the top 10% in all of the races but one.  He was 3^rd highpoint bird, Juniors and Seniors in 2004.

 American Racing Pigeon Union conducts the Junior Membership Contest each year to highlight the organization’s junior members.  The entries present a challenging task to select the lucky individual who will receive the award.  All the entries for 2006 were excellent.  Each of the remaining entrants received a polo shirt as a gift for doing a great job of sharing their sport.  As in past years, this year’s first prize was again donated through the generosity of Ed Minvielle and Siegel’s Pigeon Supply, as representatives of Benzing.

 “It’s great to see the kids rewarded with such a wonderful prize.  We wish him a long racing career,” said AU Southwest  Zone Director, John McSweeney.  “And,” he added, “we owe a great deal of gratitude to Ed Minvielle and Siegel’s Pigeon Supply for their generous gift.”

 Upon receiving the winner’s plaque, Codie said, “When I opened the package from the AU, I just couldn’t believe my eyes.  This was a dream come true that will be with me the rest of my life.”

 Congratulations Codie!