The Mr International - Raymond Hermes of Germany
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When Raymund Hermes entered the sport of pigeon racing this was nothing new nor extraordinary for the Hermes family were involved at sometime or another over the previous decades with a strong belief that good pigeons were the bottom line. For only the best could conquer the geographic configurations into Westerwald where the pigeons are based. From the start Hermes did well in the German national programme and this success was to be carried over into the internationals. In fact the results of the latter participation are phenomenal and it is opined that his successes arises from the fact that all the pigeons in his lofts are carefully raced after a strong process of culling.

At a period around the the beginning of the 1980s a decision was made to ensure that only the best bloodlines available would be used to tackle the international races. Breeding wise was the best so to speak and in addition a record of successful flight.

One of such was the 'Steenberger', a red cock raised by Cees de Groot who was a friend of Jan Aarden. This bird produced a number of great long distance pigeons for Hermes which included the 'Nachtflieger' who won 2nd National at Perpignan and the 3rd International in 1985. 'Steenberger' is also a grandfather of the pigeon that won the 1st International from Barcelona in 1990 against a convoy of 28,128.

The bloodlines of Marcel Braakhuis have also played an important role in the lofts of Raymund Hermes as well as the genes of the pigeons of the late Erich Heinemann, a former President of the German Pigeon Association. One of the latter being a Bostijn pigeon whose father was a brother of the famous Benoni and her mother was a sister of Passport. Of course there are many more great pigeons at breeding that could be mentioned but as this is only an insight into this great fancier and his pigeons our space is limited. However it should be noted that between 1982 and 2004 the Hermes pigeons have scored as follows: lst National Marseille 1982; lst International Pau 1983; lst National Perpignan l983; lst National Marathon 1984; lst National Perpignan and 1st International Perpignan plus 2nd and 3nd International Perpignan 1985; 1st National Marseille and lst International Marseille 1988; lst National. Perpignan 1989; 3rd, 6th and 13th International Barcelona 1989 with 25,502 pigeons competing; lst and 2nd. International. Barcelona 1990 against 28,128 pigeons; 1st and 4th International Perpignan 1990 against 10,444 pigeons; 1st, 2nd and. 3rd International Marseille 1990; lst International Dax 1991; lst National Barcelona 1992; lst International Marseille 1992; lst and 3rd International Dax 1993; lst International Europa Marathon 1993; lst National Dax and lst International Dax 1994; lst National Marathon 1994; lst National and 1st International Perpignan 1995; lst International Pau 1996; 1st. International Dax 1997; 1st. International Dax 1998. Outstanding flying by any definition!

An interesting aspect of husbandry associated with this maestro of international pigeon racing is the Hermes- Mazee method in which pigeons are kept in open aviaries in summer and winter exposed to all types of weather. This occurs usually in the wake of Etampes when the birds are left outside and the traps are closed. They remain for a month being forced to adapt to natural conditions where they learn to forage for themselves, seek shelter against inclement weather and protect themselves from predators of any kind. As a result the birds appear to reflect glorious health and the theory underlying the method is that the healthiest and most intelligent birds will survive and that the experience will be retained for the rest of their lives.

In the history of the sport Germany has produced some outstanding pigeon breeders and racers but there is no doubt that Raymund Hermes is an outstanding example of their best. An innovator of the sport as we traverse a new millennium.

by: Liam O Comain