tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21064479925474154942024-03-05T10:26:27.358-08:00RAF Racing Pigeon LoftRich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-57424833665685301272017-12-28T18:42:00.002-08:002017-12-28T18:42:50.768-08:00Nearly 2018!Just ran across this blog from a few years ago. Still flying! Getting ready to put my Breeders together for a new year. Happy New Year! To any one that runs across this😊Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-62116491869249348942015-01-13T19:37:00.001-08:002015-01-13T19:37:39.952-08:002015 Just noticed that it's been nearly a year since I posted anything. 2014 was a pretty good year for the birds. Won some races and enjoyed flying in the AU Convention. Won a little money and had fun. Breeders are on eggs and things will go pretty much as usual. Making do e plans for sending birds off yo a few OLRs. OB race season will be here soon enough but Im ready for spring to come.Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-8322028826056642562014-03-18T20:00:00.001-07:002014-03-18T20:00:28.726-07:00Some 2014 Babies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-70254390721058106032014-02-20T14:26:00.000-08:002014-02-20T14:26:13.447-08:002014I've gotten a few AU Convention birds and I'll be ready to wean my first round of babies I raised, this week. Put my Widowhood pairs together on Valentines Day so it won't be long and they'll be starting to loft fly a bit and then the season will be coming up. 2014 is well on the way.Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-87144600115130332942013-12-28T14:37:00.001-08:002013-12-28T14:37:30.217-08:002014 Breeding Season Put my Breeders together yesterday.....several new pairings so I'm anxious to see what they will produce. I waited a bit longer this year before putting them together and plan to raise fewer of my own since I'll be getting a good number of birds for the AU Convention Race. Should be a fun YB year. Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-69050605032531531612013-12-18T19:12:00.000-08:002013-12-18T19:12:59.839-08:00Two Special Sisters Full sisters a year apart. 2013 Champion Middle Distance Old Bird and 2013 Champion Young Bird.<br />
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Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-47177107669170111662013-11-04T09:40:00.001-08:002013-11-04T09:40:32.232-08:00Racing seasons done so I've been busy building a new loft for next years Young Birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-18976187885616008452013-09-28T05:51:00.002-07:002013-09-28T05:51:31.095-07:00ANOTHER GREAT YOUNG BIRD SEASONOnce again I got very lucky.......our young bird season has come to an end. I was fortunate to have the first three birds on the Champion Young Bird list, and won the Average Speed category. The Champion bird is a full brother to the hen that was the Champion Short and Middle distance bird during our Old Bird season. I just have the Midwest Convention race yet to come, hoping to do well but it will be a challenge with lots of good birds and good flyers to compete with.<br />
<br />Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-14672805544500174222013-09-01T19:29:00.002-07:002013-09-01T19:33:41.737-07:002013 Young Bird Races Well, the time I've been waiting on has finally come. Since way back in January when I put my Breeders together, this is the time I've been planning for.<br />
Our first club race was August 24th. The weather was hot with a really strong tail wind. I was concerned about the birds being blown past home into the heat of the day. I chose six birds to go to the race......they all came how together and were the first six birds in the race. The second race of the season heat again was a big factor with only a slight head wind. This race wound up being a real challenge.as the birds were released into very cloudy sky's and then they met rain. All of the birds made it home but much slower than the 1550 yards per minute of the first race. Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-84161934576561450512013-06-21T18:48:00.001-07:002013-06-21T18:48:30.910-07:00Old Bird SuccessI've been lucky once again. My yearlings managed to do very well as they won Champion Bird, Champion Loft and Average speed in our club for the Middle Distance Old Bird Category. I think it's clear that the birds I have excel at these distances. I really admire the long distance birds but I'm really satisfied with my birds and I think these are the kind of birds that have the ability to do well in the OLR and Futurities where my main interest lies.<br />
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<br />Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-90301451030819411942013-05-01T13:57:00.001-07:002013-05-01T13:57:26.075-07:00FIRST OLD BIRD RACE OF 2013Our club held their first Old Bird race of the 2013 season after cancelling the week before due to the weather. Luck was with me and I won the race and had the first three birds in the race. I only sent hens and they did real well. I also won the annual Chuck Henesey Memorial trophy for the first yearling to win the first race of the season and happened to also be the race winner. Hope my luck stays strong as the races get longer.Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-79436518420009483362013-04-10T13:15:00.002-07:002013-04-10T13:15:36.102-07:002013 ACTIVITYPretty much done with this years breeding....lots of nice babies. They've all been out flying and doing fine. I'm a Handler in this years Midwest Convention Race and have been getting some really nice birds from all across the country. I've gotten birds from Kansas, Montana, South Carolina, Florida, Utah, Texas and Minnesota so far. Old Bird season is coming up soon so I need to concentrate on them....hoping to have some good races but can't wait to get those babies to the races!!!Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-35762902981317540222013-02-08T09:12:00.001-08:002013-02-08T09:12:45.659-08:00My First Round 2013 Weanlings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-43494101442103311502013-02-06T14:40:00.001-08:002013-02-06T14:40:37.405-08:002013 Activity I'll be ready to wean 18 babies this weekend. I waited a few weeks longer this year to put my breeders together and might have waited even longer except my best racers for last year were my oldest so I decided I couldn't wait any longer. <br />
Most of my pairs are the same as last year as I couldn't see any reason to change. I added a few new ones that I'm excited to see what kind of success their babies might have.<br />
I'll be putting my widowhood birds together on Valentines day to let them raise a round. They should be able to produce some good babies....we'll see. I'm anxious to get that done so I can get them trained and ready for the OB races.Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-15484964853845953372012-10-24T19:57:00.001-07:002012-10-24T19:59:58.395-07:00One Loft Race Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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AU 2012 CIRPC 0091</div>
To finish out the year two birds competed in the final one loft races , 0094 was a part of a three bird team with Ted Givens. All three birds were on the winning drop and the team placed second for the series. 0091 flew in the PT Classic in Ohio and finished in 4th place. Perfect ending to a great season!!Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-84907777483710099132012-10-11T07:30:00.001-07:002012-10-24T20:04:01.853-07:00Incredible YB Season<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB3E36QnjZ1sjQrf6Kf6XCG62v0SbNkCU0BDUHCfNkg51VXzrf7RF9S4yswdxYSy3xjIgTik47OqdmGBPTJKp37AHnHc43whcP4N_8DR4aseGoA2WdEqQL539zlwFu0OlbJg-vc2Ug-ki/s1600/DSCN2079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB3E36QnjZ1sjQrf6Kf6XCG62v0SbNkCU0BDUHCfNkg51VXzrf7RF9S4yswdxYSy3xjIgTik47OqdmGBPTJKp37AHnHc43whcP4N_8DR4aseGoA2WdEqQL539zlwFu0OlbJg-vc2Ug-ki/s320/DSCN2079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AU 2012 CIRPC 0082 <br />
Cornhusker Invitational Racing Pigeon Club <br />
2012 Champion Young Bird</td></tr>
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It's been a really awesome Young Bird season. My birds managed to win the Champion Bird, Champion Loft and Champion Average Speed with the Cornhusker Invitational Racing Pigeon Club. Couldn't have done it without some really good luck and the help of some really great friends. Now on to dreaming about the upcoming breeding season to see if I can raise some babies capable of doing as well next year.Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-5787374933989283922012-10-05T09:51:00.000-07:002012-10-05T09:51:05.480-07:00Final race weekendLast week the birds did okay and everyone's birds came fast. Didn't win but I was satisfied. This week will be a real test. Last races of the season....300 mile club race, 350 and 200 mile futurity races with the exception of the final Husker Hawkeye final futurity race. Questionable weather so I hope they do well. Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-1364741720660057902012-09-27T15:53:00.002-07:002012-09-27T15:53:24.301-07:00Got Lucky Again!Managed to win the 250 mile race...that makes 4 wins in 6 races. Two more races to go.Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-18554037424315985182012-09-23T06:38:00.000-07:002012-09-23T06:38:00.287-07:00This weeks raceThis week was a 250 mile race. I was worried about the strong head winds an only sent 3. My first bird came pretty well so we'll see how she placed. My turn to haul the race this week then a 300 next week to finish the season......Have to try to decide who's going on the next two races so I can keep my lead for the year.Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-64360913107035380672012-09-17T18:57:00.001-07:002012-09-23T06:33:15.563-07:00Another good week.Hate to jinx myself but I had the good fortune of winning the race this week. That makes three wins of five races. Tough race. One of my breeding pairs babies are doing phenominal both for the birds I'm racing but also their babies that I sent off. The bird that won this week won by 22 minutes.Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-71609246449984692362012-09-13T12:39:00.001-07:002012-09-13T12:39:17.282-07:002012 YB Racing This week will be our fifth race. We've had two 100's and two 150's. My birds this year are really doing well.....the second week we had two races, a 100 and a 150 and I won both of them with 6 on the drop for each. Last week the other guys in the club are catching up but I still had 6 on the drop and placed well. 200 mile race this week, hope my birds continue to hurry home. <br />
I also have a few birds out to one loft races that are holding there own.Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-52335420620506423802012-08-28T04:42:00.001-07:002012-08-28T04:42:34.976-07:00FIRST YB RACE 2012Had our first race of the season. Tough race for everyone with several losses. Wound up with 3rd through 7th with 139 total in the race. Had another in a race with the Omaha club that was 18th of 305. Pretty good weekend.Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-69420953325024518212012-05-24T06:09:00.001-07:002012-05-24T06:10:48.715-07:00500 Mile raceWas concerned with the weather forcast so I only sent two birds. One bird never got to race last year due to the moult and he was my first bird back. He didn't win but placed well. I think my other bird got blown right on by and had to fly back so he didn't come until the next morning. All in all I was real pleased with yearlings flying this distance. Really heavy wind from the south which made for an amazing race. The winner for our club and also the Combine flew at 2100 YPM which made for 500 miles in 7 hours....near record speed. Back to 150 this week and it's my turn to haul the race. Don't really like the drive but it's another adventure.Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-60212793488949954082012-05-19T04:17:00.002-07:002012-05-19T04:17:56.812-07:00Old Bird SeasonMy Old Bird season is going pretty well. They've all been to at least two races up to 150 miles. Last week was a 400 mile race and due to poor weather predictions I only sent one bird, a son of 7208 my foundation cock and he managed to place 78th out of 465 birds. Pretty pleased as he's just a yearling and had to fly with much older birds. This week its a 500 mile race and the weathers not too good again so I sent two, we'll see. Really anxious for the YB season as I have high hopes.Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106447992547415494.post-40227713478537661502012-04-28T12:36:00.002-07:002012-04-28T12:36:56.917-07:00My current setup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Waiting on my Yearlings to come home from their second race on the 2012 season.</div>Rich Fortnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09623131925855278721noreply@blogger.com0