GEBBROEDERS HEERES & ZOON - Elimar Pigeon Services

GEBBROEDERS HEERES & 

ZOON 

of Kimswerd, Holland 

by Jose Perez 

Frederik, Jan and Williem Heeres outside their racing loft. 

The outstanding partnership of Curtis, Wall & Lunt have gone back to 

basics looking for new pigeons on the continent. They have visited several 

lofts which have showed outstanding results over the last few years, 

against some increasingly stronger competition. In their first trip, they 

travelled to the north of Holland, alongside Graham Walker, to visit the 

lofts of the combination Gebroeders Heeres & Zoon. 

Introduction: 

The combination are based in Kimswerd, a small village of 600 residents, 

near the city of Harlingen. Kimswerd is most famous because of Greate 

Pier, a freedom fighter, who lived at the end of the fifteenth century. Only 

300 meters from where this ancient hero lived stands the Gebroders 

Heeres & Zoon racing loft at the back of their beautiful garden.

The team comprises of three members: Jan, Williem and Frederick. Jan 

takes care of the racing pigeons and is considered to be the overall 

manager for the team. Frederik, his son, is in charge of the breeders, 

pairing and the administration. The last member of the team is Jan’s 

brother Williem, who is on standby when the team go on holiday. He also 

supports the team during the racing season. 

The combination are members of P.V. “de Postduif”, one of the best clubs 

in the province of Friesland. The club belongs to the ACG 1 (flying zone 

1), division 11(which is one of the largest divisions in the zone), Friesland 

’96. The loft is situated at the west end of the zone next to the 

Ijsselmeer, a shallow artificial lake of 683sq miles, making it more difficult 

to make it to the top of the ACG and division 11. 

Loft Location: 

The combination loft is located in the most unsuitable location you could 

choose, north-west of the division. The prevalent wind is west and there 

are two lakes the birds have to cross, the Ijsselmeer and the Markermeer. 

When the birds come on line, the distance over the water is over 28 miles 

and if they come from the west the distance is 17miles. 

The birds are specially trained to cross the water. They are taken across 

the lake, via the E-22, to the west side for regular tosses.

The map above shows the line of flight the pigeons take to get to get to 

the Gebroeders Heeres & Zoon loft. The area in light blue is the province 

of Friesland, were division 11 is located. This shows how exceptional the 

combination birds are as everything is against them. 

History: 

From the beginning Gebr. Heeres & Zoon had some success with their 

racing pigeons, winning First Best Long Distance Afdeling K, Friesland in 

1992, but after a few years of ups and down and because of the 

continuing problems with paratyphoid, they decided to disinfect the lofts 

and start with a new colony of pigeon in 1996. These new pigeons turned 

out to be outstanding and delivered many prizes and championships. In 

just three years the combination became First Best Middle Distance 

Division 11 Friesland '96 with 2000 members competing. In 2004 they 

won 1 st NPO Ghislain against 17,200 pigeons and in 2007 1 st NPO Menen 

against 26.784 pigeons.

Things got even better in 2008 with two division victories: 1st and 2nd 

Lessines against 28.355 pigeons and 1st and 2nd Heteren against 26.797 

pigeons. In 2009 and 2010 they became 1st Champion Middle Distance in 

Div. 11 (1.800 members) and in 2011 they were 1 st Best Sprint in the 

months of April and May in the Belgian Gouden Duif Competition. 

Strain Foundation: 

At the restart in 1996, the combination obtained pigeons from a small 

number of successful pigeon fanciers. Jan Heeres is a committee member 

and inspector with the Dutch Group of Inspectors of Racing Pigeons and is 

well known nationally and internationally. He knew exactly what pigeons 

they wanted to start their new colony with. The two most important were 

Comb. Jansen-Spiek (Arnhem) and E. v. Wier (Harlingen). 

Rein Spiek at that time was manager at the breeding loft of Eijerkamp in 

Brummen and had formed a combination with Henny Jansen (Comb. 

Jansen-Spiek). They had an exceptional breeding loft, the best of the best 

from the Eijerkamp-loft with pigeons from Janssen-Arendonk, van Loon, 

Voets, Koopmans & Zn., and Schaerlaeckens amongst others. 

The pigeons obtained from E. v. Wier (Second Best Middle Distance 2003, 

Afd. 11 Friesland '96) were mainly Meulemans-pigeons, and not only 

great racers but also excellent breeders. "Het Fenomeen" for example, 

won 11 first prizes and also produced winning pigeons. 

They also obtained pigeons from A.O. Peter Janβen (Kleve, Germany), 

Comb. De Ridder (Arnemuiden) and D. Postma (Leeuwarden). 

Jan Heeres travelled to South-Africa to inspect the pigeons for the 2001 

Olympiad. There, he met his colleague-inspector Peter Janβen (Kleve, 

Germany), who is one of the best pigeon fanciers from Germany. They 

agreed on an exchange of youngsters from their best breeders and the 

combination received grandchildren of what may be the best breeding 

couple in Belgian history, “Clyde” (B91-958) x “Bonny” (B92-995). This 

couple produced amongst others three top-racers: “Asterix”, “Obelix” and 

“Argenton”. The first was Best All-round racing pigeon in Belgium. The 

other two were Nat. Ace pigeons too. A grandchild of this fabulous couple, 

and son of the third best cock Olympiad '01 (and best German pigeon), is 

"Der Peter" (02-627), who has produced great offspring’s, “St. 

Ghislaintje” winner of 1 st NPO against 17.200, “D' Artagnan” winner of 1 st 

NPO against 26.784 pigeons and top-racer and -breeder “Aramis”.

The “Aramis” line is still the foundation of the Heeres loft but the 

combination is always looking to introduce new blood to the racing team. 

Most new introductions go into the racing team with the occasional one 

going into the breeding loft. In 2012, for example, the breeding loft was 

reinforced with “Freija” (12-939) obtained from Sj. v/d Boom (Harlingen) 

winner of the 1st NPO Nijvel against 14.885 pigeons. This hen is from the 

best lines of the loft of v/d Boom and is now paired to a direct son of top 

racer “Aramis”. 

The Gebr. Heeres & Zoon don't strive towards keeping the bloodlines pure 

and use the introductions to improve their existing line in order to breed 

the perfect racing pigeon. The results show that this method seems to be 

working for them and that the combination is getting closer to achieving 

the perfect racing pigeon. 

Top Performers/Breeders: 

Without a doubt one of the best breeding couples of the past decade is 

top couple “Der Peter” x “Platinum Lady”. Der Peter is the son of “Gouden 

Jaarling”, 3 rd Best Pigeon Presentation Class Olympiad Cape Town, and 

the grandson of “Boris”, Best German Pigeon on Olympiad of Gran 

Canaria. “Der Peter” is 11 years old now, but is still on the breeding loft. 

“Platinum Lady” was a hen from the best Houben-lines. The couple “Der 

Peter” x “Platinum Lady” as well as “Aramis” produced some superb 

pigeons.

Children of “Der Peter”: 

“St. Ghislaintje” 1 st NPO St.Ghislain 17.200 pigeons 

“D' Artagnan” 1 st NPO Menen 26.784 pigeons 

“Athos” 2 nd Prov. Duffel 12.297 pigeons 

“Porthos” 4 th Prov. Duffel 27.144 pigeons 

“Porthos II” 6 th NPO Arras 18.112 pigeons 

“Aramis” (NL04-1336337) was an absolute top performer. He won: 

1 st Prov. Duffel 27.144 pigeons 

1 st Prov. Lessines 28.355 pigeons 

2 nd Prov. Heteren 29.035 pigeons 

6 th Prov. Boxtel 29.125 pigeons 

15 th Prov. Duffel 12.297 pigeons 

16 th Prov. Pommer’l 21.666 pigeons 

After his racing career was over, “Aramis” also proved to be an excellent 

breeder when paired to “Blue Velvet”.

Here is a selection of some of the top Children of “Aramis” and “Blue 

Velvet”: 

“Valentine” (07-616): 

2 nd Prov. Heteren 26.797 pigeons 

34 th NPO Arras 18.112 pigeons 

“Zoon Aramis” (08-641): 

3 rd Prov. Hasselt 29.559 pigeons 

25 th Prov. Heteren 30.933 pigeons 

35 th Prov. St.Quentin 16.871 pigeons 

2 nd Ace pigeon Middle Dist. Div 11 (1.800 members) 

“Fluwelen Kras” (07-615): 

20 th NPO Arras 18.112 pigeons 

“Noble Blue” (09-640): 

1 st Duffel 3.819 pigeons 

“Young Aramis” (09-524): 

1 st Menen 1.963 pigeons

Gerbroader Heeres & Zoon pigeons have also had success in other lofts. 

At the loft of Sjoerd Sytsma (Dokkum) a daughter of Aramis bred “the 

Power” (10-300) winner of 1 st NPO Sens against 8.200 pigeons. Another 

top racer, “Blauwe As” (NL-08-1995562), was bred from a brother of 

“Aramis”, “Jonge Musketier” (07-010) x “Diana” (07-620) daughter of 

“Generaal” x “Granny”. “Blauwe As” was Ace Pigeon All-round in ACG 

(150 members)winner of 31 prizes in 35 races over 3 years, amongst 

others: 

1 st Prov. Boxtel 23.103 pigeons 

1 st Ines 1.117 pigeons 

2 nd Troyes 1.026 pigeons 

4 th Meer 3.646 pigeons 

8 th Pommeroeul 2.762 pigeons 

10 th Prov. Hasselt 29.559 pigeons 

One of the most consistent racers over the past years has been “Vale 

Gerrit” (NL06-1545262). He was a typical all-round racer but did 

extremely well on the longer distances. “Vale Gerrit” won 40 prizes out of 

42 races he entered and was 1 st Ace pigeon All-round and 1 st Ace pigeon 

Long Distance in CCG de Kuststrook (350 members). In 2011, he was 

retired to the breeding loft and shired 2 cocks: 11-735 and 11-745. The 

11-735 won 1-2-4-4-7-8 as a youngster and a yearling, and the 11-745 

became 1 st Ace pigeon Long Distance yearling.

The combination mainly races cocks on widowhood. The hens only get the 

chance to compete in the final 5 races of the season but, even so they 

manage to achieve some great results. One of these hens is “Ariël” (NL 

05-1884819). She is a granddaughter of “De Generaal” (NL98-1866318). 

Her father (01-062) won 1 st Houdeng against 2.753 pigeons and 1 st St. 

Ghislain against 1.699 pigeons. He was a son of “De Generaal’s” nest 

mate. Ariël won 1 st Prov. Heteren against 26.797 pigeons. She has also 

produced excellent pigeons, a daughter of Ariël bred the “11-909” winner 

of 1 st Nijvel against 13.509 pigeons for Comb. Kwast & Zn (Harlingen). 

System: 

Gebr. Heeres & Zoon only race cocks on the traditional widowhood 

system. As mentioned earlier, the hens only compete in the final 5 races 

of the season (“Natoer”). As soon as the temperature is high enough 

(normally around early April), the widower cocks train twice a day. Before 

the start of the racing season, they are trained 5-8 times at a distance of 

about 5-20 miles. During the season, the older pigeons are seldom 

trained on the road and do their exercise around the loft. The young birds 

are darkened until the first week of June but, from May onwards the road 

training starts. The young birds are trained over the water regularly. 

During the racing season, the young birds are taken to the other side of 

the Ijsselmeer once or twice a week, at a distance of about 25 miles.

Championships: 

5 th National Champion Middle Distance 

Division Friesland '96 (about 1750 members) 2012 

2 nd Youngsters Unmarked & Marked 

3 rd Youngsters Marked 

2010 

1st Middle Distance Unmarked 

8th Ace pigeon Middle Distance (Blauwe As, 08-562) 

8th Ace pigeon All-round (Blauwe As, 08-562) 

2009 

7th Sprint Unmarked 


2nd Middle Distance Marked & Unmarked 

2th Ace pigeon Middle Distance (Son Aramis, 08-641) 

5th Ace pigeon Middle Distance (Elly's Favourite, 08-650) 

5th One Day Long Distance Unmarked 

Rayon de Kuststrook (west part of the province, about 200 

members) 

All-round titles: 

2000 1st Best All-round Unmarked 


2004 1st Best All-round Unmarked & Marked 




2008 3rd Best All-round Unmarked & 2nd Best All-round Marked 


2012 2nd Best All-round Unmarked 

2012 

5th Sprint Unmarked 

5th Middle Distance Unmarked 

5th One Day Long Distance Unmarked 

2010 

2nd Super sprint Marked


1st Middle Distance Marked 

5th One Day Long Distance Marked 

3rd Ace pigeon All-round (Blauwe As 08-562) 

2009 

1st Super sprint Unmarked 


1st Middle Distance Marked 

1st Ace pigeon Middle Distance (Son Aramis, 08-641) 

1st One Day Long Distance Unmarked 

1st One Day Long Distance Marked 

1st Ace pigeon One Day Long Distance (Wringer, 06-272) 

Club “PV de Postduif” 











2012 2nd Best All-round Unmarked 

Results: 

Flying against 2000 Members: 

1st, 4th, 8th NPO St. Ghislain 17.200 pigeons 

1st, 5th NPO Menen 26.784 pigeons 

1st, 4th, 9th Prov. Duffel 27.144 pigeons 

1st, 2nd Prov. Lessines 28.355 pigeons 

1st, 2nd Prov. Heteren 26.797 pigeons 

2nd, 8th Prov. Duffel 12.297 pigeons 

2nd, 9th Prov. Heteren 29.035 pigeons 

2nd, 6th Prov. Hasselt 24.923 pigeons 

5th, 6th NPO Arras 18.112 pigeons

6th Prov. Boxtel 29.125 pigeons 

8th Prov. Boxtel 17.891 pigeons 

9th NPO Chantilly 13.377 pigeons 

Results in ACG/CCG 

Results in ACG/CCG from recent years: 

Sprint 

Duffel (147 miles), 1.090 pigeons in competition; 10 competed, 9 prizes: 

1-3-5-9-17-18-37-118-127 

Duffel (147 miles), 1.436 pigeons in competition; 15 competed, 13 

prizes: 1-3-4-16-32-46-47-62-99-175-200-285-314 

Boxtel (106 miles), 2.392 pigeons in competition; 24 competed, 15 

prizes: 1-2-9-15-16-18-19-37-88-109-118-313-324-371-538 


prizes: 1-2-6-21-28-29-30-50-56-62-71-72-100-103-118-150-151-196- 

205-208-211-212-237-422-428-454-482-516-527-575 

Maaseik (142 miles), 1.607 pigeons in competition; 13 competed, 8 

prizes: 1-5-53-89-187-335-338-340 


prizes: 1-5-12-14-39-77-138-164-251-259-264-280-282-378-381-388- 

404 


prizes: 2-6-15-23-33-52-97-158-159-191-223-265-282-350-390 

Heteren (83 miles), 2.653 pigeons in competition; 37 competed, 19 

prizes: 2-8-18-108-126-132-162-169-179-205-299-300-306-307-310- 

314-374-478-584 

Meer (117 miles), 927 pigeons in competition; 9 competed, 6 prizes: 1- 

12-16-17-34-111


prizes: 2-17-19-31-43-82-133-220-239-295-305 

Maaseik (142 miles), 1.515 pigeons in competition; 20 competed, 17 

prizes: 4-13-17-36-64-66-67-81-82-84-216-250-584-304-306-336-346 

Hasselt (152 miles), 2.469 pigeons in competition; 20 competed, 16 

prizes: 3-4-10-25-26-68-69-195-168-270-387-398-430-572-578-606 


prizes: 5-11-25-36-66-204-224-227-271 


prizes: 6-39-42-43-45-55-126-127-207-254-306-307-334-335-337-338- 

339-340-341-399-517-523-571-573 

Middle Distance 

Lessines (184 miles), 2.302 pigeons in competition; 30 competed, 17 

prizes: 1-2-10-12-13-24-40-53-156-173-174-178-192-314-317-372-507 

St. Quentin (246 miles), 902 pigeons in competition; 10 competed, 5 

prizes: 1-5-13-70-195 

Pommeroeul (200 miles), 1.315 pigeons in competition; 20 competed, 12 

prizes: 1-7-11-27-29-34-125-149-153-189-204-254 

Isnes (185 miles), 1.575 pigeons in competition; 10 competed, 10 prizes: 

2-5-26-32-34-68-81-133-156-270 


prizes: 3-4-6-9-13-14-16-17-45-48-50-57-89-111-139-181-201-249- 

311-312-353-370-375 

St. Quentin (246 miles), 991 pigeons in competition; 10 competed, 9 

prizes: 3-6-10-17-30-43-53-137-200 

St, Quentin (246 miles), 1.241 pigeons in competition; 26 competed, 14 

prizes: 3-6-7-10-15-45-46-56-58-74-111-113-219-256 


prizes: 3-15-16-19-28-34-35-39-82-110-113-194-263-413-423-452-458

Menen (189 miles), 1.352 pigeons in competition; 10 competed, 7 prizes: 

5-7-9-53-67-105-232 


prizes: 5-7-8-28-89-296-345-369-376-377-407-418 


prizes: 5-6-26-42-52-67-124-217 

Achene (200 miles), 1.405 pigeons in competition; 11 competed, 9 

prizes: 6-7-30-109-110-153-155-229-345 

Pommeroeul (200 miles), 1.357 duiven in concours; 10 competed, 10 

prizes: 9-10-15-26-61-145-149-150-200-256 

One Day Long Distance 

Creil (298 miles), 838 duiven in concours; 10 competed, 9 prizes: 1-2-3- 

4-32-43-125-147-159 

Offenburg (342 miles), 604 duiven in concours; 10 competed, 8 prizes: 1- 

3-8-11-12-17-113-122 

Pithiviers (372 miles), 912 duiven in concours; 10 competed, 7 prizes: 1- 

22-24-52-73-119-141 

Troyes (341 miles), 1.026 duiven in concours; 10 competed, 7 prizes: 2- 

3-14-23-24-47-155 

Chantilly (301 miles), 766 duiven in concours; 20 competed, 8 prizes: 2- 

41-42-46-52-61-83-117 

Chantilly (301 miles), 622 duiven in concours; 10 competed, 5 prizes: 2- 

5-15-17-42 

Ablis (356 miles), 565 duiven in concours; 10 competed, 6 prizes: 3-12- 

13-17-54-60 

Blois (425 miles), 800 pigeons in competition; 8 competed, 6 prizes: 7- 

23-43-48-71-90

Youngsters 


prizes: 1-3-10-53-62-65-114-141-153-210-321-410-560-572-578-661 


prizes: 1-20-22-43-52-90-178-227-229-359-361-369-416-441-459 


prizes: 3-4-7-16-30-68-74-124-125-159-217-240-296-310-421 

Pommerouel (200 miles), 1.354 pigeons in competition; 35 competed, 18 

prizes: 4-6-12-13-22-23-26-55-59-66-79-94-125-139-166-221-291-303 


prizes: 4-5-41-66-75-104-105-135-175-220-260-402-404 


prizes: 5-10-11-12-31-48-64-86-108-111-124-129-131-195-196-208- 

239-240-260-276-281-334-340-374-376-378-379-380-420-438-482 

St. Quentin (246 miles), 1.643 pigeons in competition; 25 competed, 13 

prizes: 5-9-42-43-44-85-91-120-152-157-282-304-407 

Strombeek (162 miles), 1.824 pigeons in competition; 58 competed, 31 

prizes: 17-40-47-58-59-62-66-67-81-91-119-129-131-136-145-147-155- 

160-167-210-237-246-282-283-286-363-369-371-390-394-396 

Natoer 

Heteren (83 miles), 2.189 pigeons in competition; 30 competed, 19 

prizes: 1-2-8-12-25-33-42-43-110-113-130-175-176-206-280-356-412- 

424-447 

Gennep (104 miles), 1.404 pigeons in competition; 15 competed, 10 

prizes: 2-3-10-23-37-45-133-165-175-274 

Wavre (172 miles), 1.727 pigeons in competition; 24 competed, 16 

prizes: 3-10-11-32-34-45-46-86-105-131-260-301-347-349-350-353

Duffel (147 miles), 942 pigeons in competition; 18 competed, 16 prizes: 

4-5-7-11-16-17-30-33-35-37-45-49-55-60-62-94 


prizes: 8-19-20-103-104-105-120-131-167-169-183-228-235-236-246- 

268 

Meer (117 miles), 1.598 pigeons in competition; 19 competed, 14 prizes: 

15-19-25-39-62-64-154-174-191-204-209-225-339-342 

In 2010 and 2011 Gebr. Heeres & Zoon weren’t able to race the 

programme with the young birds and didn’t defend their All-round titles. 

The new team for 2013 is mainly yearlings, 75%, and seemed to be in top 

shape so we expect to hear great things from them again this year. 

The combination success is due to high quality breeding and continuing 

testing of the racing team. They are also always looking for new talented 

pigeons to be introduced into their family. 

These are a selection of some of the wonderful pigeons from the 

combination:

GEBBROEDERS HEERES & ZOON - Elimar Pigeon Services

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