ONE LOFT RACES RECOGNIZED

By Deone Roberts, AU Sport Development

The American Racing Pigeon Union Help-A-Beginner Program is getting a boost through various one-loft races around the country. Race organizers have found a way to support the program that benefits novices toward racing success.

Recent races that have received recognition are Rocking G Lofts, Vegas Connection One Loft Race, Southwest Special One Loft Race, Colorado Gold Rush One Loft Race, Spirit of Colorado One Loft Race, and Highlander One Loft Race.

The AU Help-A-Beginner Program offers one-on-one mentoring for those who have completed one race season. Notes program Chairman, Linda Joneli, “We have some absolutely fantastic birds coming to the program that have actually proven themselves in races. When you couple that with people that are considered the elite of the racing world volunteering as mentors, you’re going to have the potential of successful, long-term racing careers. We would all like to see that!”

Since inception, the AU’s Help-A-Beginner Program has assisted literally hundreds of racers, with approximately 30 teams each year.

Often the beginners and mentors establish lasting relationships that span more than the one year a beginner is in the program. Moreover, many beginners polish their skills to the point that they can become mentors themselves in the program that helped them. The real opportunity for this program is to talk one-on-one with someone who wants you to be successful and who wants you to enjoy the sport. Questions include subjects such as feeding, training, breeding, and medication. The answers are not complicated coming from someone who understands the problems that may occur, especially since that someone has been there and done that generally before.

The AU gratefully acknowledges the generosity and affirmative action of these races and their organizers.

To find out qualifications to enroll in the AU’s Help-A-Beginner Program, contact Linda Joneli at 541-548-7043 or linda@redroselofts.com .