By Dan Hutchinson
Joan Webb has completed the ultimate tribute to her late husband and legendary Marlborough pigeon racer Noel Webb by winning the same prestigious titles.
The mission was completed this year when she won three championship ribbons at the South Island Championships run by the South Island Poultry, Pigeon and Cage Bird Association in Blenheim in July.
Mr Webb had bred a respected flock of pigeons and was aiming for his third consecutive top of the South Island Pigeon Trophy before he died four years ago.
“I inherited 54 pigeons so I said ‘I will race them’,” Mrs Webb said.
Last year she won the Top of the South Island Pigeon Trophy and over the weekend birds won three Championship ribbons.
She has now reduced the number of birds she has to 22, having bred birds for other racers.
“I have had to cut back because I have achieved the dream.”
She likened it to Possum Bourne’s wife Peggy who also took over the legacy of her successful husband.
“That’s what I have done, competed in the races until I achieved what he had won.”
It was touch and go as she prepared the birds for the competition late last week.
“I didn’t even get time to wash their feet. I had some exciting family news and then suddenly realised I had to get the birds there on time.”
She won New Zealand Championships for best blue or black chequer homer and best homer that has flown between 650km – 799km. She won a South Island Championship for best homer that has flown between 250km and 349km.
She said the birds were like athletes, averaging 70kmh in racing and the carbohydrate content in their feed was adjusted depending on how far they had to race.
Mrs Webb would continue to be involved in pigeon racing but to a lesser extent now that she has achieved her tribute.
Joan Webb has completed the ultimate tribute to her late husband and legendary Marlborough pigeon racer Noel Webb by winning the same prestigious titles.
The mission was completed this year when she won three championship ribbons at the South Island Championships run by the South Island Poultry, Pigeon and Cage Bird Association in Blenheim in July.
Mr Webb had bred a respected flock of pigeons and was aiming for his third consecutive top of the South Island Pigeon Trophy before he died four years ago.
“I inherited 54 pigeons so I said ‘I will race them’,” Mrs Webb said.
Last year she won the Top of the South Island Pigeon Trophy and over the weekend birds won three Championship ribbons.
She has now reduced the number of birds she has to 22, having bred birds for other racers.
“I have had to cut back because I have achieved the dream.”
She likened it to Possum Bourne’s wife Peggy who also took over the legacy of her successful husband.
“That’s what I have done, competed in the races until I achieved what he had won.”
It was touch and go as she prepared the birds for the competition late last week.
“I didn’t even get time to wash their feet. I had some exciting family news and then suddenly realised I had to get the birds there on time.”
She won New Zealand Championships for best blue or black chequer homer and best homer that has flown between 650km – 799km. She won a South Island Championship for best homer that has flown between 250km and 349km.
She said the birds were like athletes, averaging 70kmh in racing and the carbohydrate content in their feed was adjusted depending on how far they had to race.
Mrs Webb would continue to be involved in pigeon racing but to a lesser extent now that she has achieved her tribute.
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