Gerard Koopman, Florea Sorin

Gerard Koopman, Florea Sorin

I know Gerard Koopman for many years, and this visit was like paying a visit to an old friend. I know the history of his doves by heart, and ever since my childhood I was fascinated by his doves, his results and the references about his doves. Mr. Sorin was impressed to meet Gerard, both as a human being and as a pigeonsport lover. Gerard is the breeder with the greatest number of doves in the world.

Gerard Koopman with his parents: Cornelis and Jansje

Gerard Koopman with his parents: Cornelis and Jansje

His doves are famous all over the world, no matter the relief and the weather conditions. I wrote many articles about the Koopman doves, including 3 articles where I presented  the formation of this wonderful line, from the beginning till present day. One can find all these articles at the “Articles’ section of this site. Gerard’s doves hae an exceptional evolution in Romania , ever since the first imports realized by  Trifan Mihai, Bistrita- Nasaud and till the famous imports of Marcel Nicolaescu (among others, sons and daughter from “Kleine Dirk” and of Stanescu& Dobre among other top doves, a direct son of “Kleine Dirk”, named “Partout”) .

All these 3 dove owners had exceptional results with these doves. It is worth mentioning the exceptional results of Dr. Craciunescu from Mizil, Prahova, who adjudicates 2 National titles, in the same year, due to the Koopman doves. Gerard is a real champion who always looks for new challenges. That’s why, after he won  all that can be won in the speed-demifond and one-day fond races, Gerard oriented towards the loft races (eith exceptional results) and towards the marathon races ( a project that is in its 2nd year of existence). All this time, the speed-demifond races  were not neglected and , as a proof, Gerard had one dove in the Olympic Lot of Holland at the Olympics from Nitra, Slovakia, 2013. Gerard is looking for top doves, so as to  cross them with his own line. To keep staying in the same situation does not mean an evolution, on the contrary, it means many steps backward. It is true that it is very difficult to find  doves like “Kleine Dirk”, but Gerard was always a lucky  pigeonsport fancier, because, just like in life, one cannot be a champion without a bit of good luck.

The ambition and the determination that are characteristic to Mr. Sorin have made the latter search for this legendary pigeonsport fancier. He has ordered a lot of 20 offsprings for this summer from all the top breeders of the tandem (pair) , such as: “Golden Dirk”, “Mighty Man”, “Magic Man”, “Den Ling’s Favourite”, “Blue Energy”, etc. Gerard’s doves have always been very much wanted by others and, of course, very expensive.For more than 20 years, the demand was bigger than the offer. And this demamd was due to the extraordinary references of the latter, and references are a criterion for the price. At the time being, in China Koopman’s doves are the most popular and the professional owners of doves from this countrywin hundred thousands Eurosin the Derby races organized with and due to these doves. As the “stem” of the doves colony  for speed-demifond of Florea Sorin and Ion “Mazare” loft is given by the Koopman’s and Van Dijk lines , this import is quite adequate. For us, Gerard was a perfect host…we saw all his lofts, as if we were at home and we checked “at hand” all his top doves.