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our
rollers, it should not exclude us from exhibiting our
ideal performing rollers in
some sort of display alongside all of the other pigeon
breeds. The Flying Performing Roller Pigeon is a breed
of its own ad should officially be acknowledged as such.
We are proud of our breed and we have the right to
express this at the P.R.A. Fly and Display conventions
and also at the N.P.A. All Breed Show conventions with
our display of Verified Performing Roller Pigeons.
The
Performing Roller Association promotes a Fly and Display
convention where we display our special air tested,
sound, fast, tight, stylish rollers regardless of what
they look like on the ground. The rolling performance
standard is contained in a few simple words and its
importance is so great it should never be allowed to be
lost sight of. A true flying performing roller
turns over backwards with inconceivable rapidity through
a considerable distance like a spinning ball.
Our past leaders left us with some very informative
ideas which we should take our lessons from. In around
1875 Mr. Ludlow, the famous artist, judge, and fancier
of England, for Fulton's Book of Pigeons wrote, "Rollers
are those which at every exhibition of their rolling
powers pass through an unaccountable number of backward
evolutions or somersaults, in such quick succession as
to appear like a falling ball. Most fanciers are
satisfied if they come through the kit as a ring, but
when they appear in solid form, it is known their
convolutions re performed with still greater velocity. A
good Roller should fairly roll 20 feet. There are lots
who descend by a series of treble or more somersaults to
a greater distance, but the most perfect complete a long
descent in one spinning bout". (Ludlow, 1875)
This brings us to the question, "why do we have separate
meets at the N.P.A. shows? There are several reasons:
fanciers are proud of the organizations they create, and
they have their own standards which generally conflict
with those of other groups. This would mean that no
judge outside of their own club would give them the
satisfaction they expect. The natural propensity of
jealousy is often to be contended with. Unanimity in
other breeds of pigeons is governed by a National
Standard, which is something Roller pigeon clubs are
generally at disagreement over.
This can
be understood since there can be no conformation
standard for a flying breed. Once a conformation
standard is adopted the breed becomes a Fancy Variety.
The P.R.A. is for all performing roller fanciers
regardless of their particular club affiliations. We
welcome all performing rollermen worldwide to
participate in our programs. Our Verified Performer
Program is open to anyone who is interested in
participating.
P.R.A. Four Basic Criteria:
1. We
will never have a written conformation standard. A
conformation standard is a license to employ means which
will alter the whole outlook of any fancier's loft. The
temptation to cross-breed, among other things, being
always present. The use of a conformation standard, I
repeat, will eventually destroy the whole purpose of the
flying breed it is supposed to encourage. There is no
need to cross-breed to obtain attractive pigeons, and
neither does an unorthodox marking or color spell
unattractiveness. It is the facial expression,
the feel of the body, and the
feather texture which makes an attractive
pigeon.
2. We will always employ experienced
flying performing rollermen as P.R.A./N.P.A. Display
judges. The best judges for flying performing rollers
are fanciers who breed flying performing pigeons.
3. We will not offer expensive prizes or
money for display choices. The higher the cash awards,
the more important stress put on winning, the more
disagreements and arguments occur. We have had plenty of
examples of this in Several breeds in the past. Some
people never seem to grow up, and they evidently have
never heard of the Golden Rule.
4. All birds on display will be P.R.A. Verified (NBRC/IRA
certification also honored). These are the four
basic safeguards that the P.R.A. Verified Display is
governed by. With these four criteria enforced we will
never have another dual-purpose controversy in the
Flying Performing Roller hobby again. The main intention
of the Display convention is the socializing and getting
together to share our favorite air tested first class
rollers with all who attend. Our Display is not a Show!
It is a happening. We are a separate breed.
Let us not forget what Richard Krupke said years ago
million times: "It's what they do in the air that
counts!"
Basic Goals of the Verification Program:
1. Gets
Flying Performing Rollermen together.
2. Encourages fanciers to formulate a standard of
quality rolling in the air.
3. By entering these special air tested quality Flying
Performing Rollers in the P.R.A./N.P.A. conventions, it
gives all who are present a chance to see what
constitutes a quality Flying Performing Roller Pigeon on
the ground. We will get to see the different variable
types of rollers that can roll with quality.
Proven Performing Roller Program Application Procedure:
1. The
bird being verified will be at least one year old or
banded one year prior to be eligible for the title of
Proven Performing Roller. Verification of age will be
authenticated by the two flying performing rollermen who
witnessed the particular bird in question. Area director
and witnesses will use integrity when verifying Proven
Performing Rollers. By signing your name your
reputation will reflect the quality of
performers in your area. (Area Director is preferred to
be present but not necessary).
2. The bird must perform in an outstanding manner and
roll with velocity, style, frequency, and roll a minimum
of 10 feet.
3. The bird being verified must be designated before
liberation. Additionally, it must be easily identified
and be the only bird of its particular color and
marking. There must be no question as to which bird is
being verified.
4. Each area may judge and verify their own birds.
Judges consist of two Flying Performing Rollermen other
than the owner. Owner must sign form in appropriate
space but may not sign as a witness. The witnesses do
not have to reside in your area but must be a Flying
Performing Rollerman. All verification forms will
be filled out properly.
5. Verification forms will be submitted by the Area
Directors to the Governing Councilman in charge. The
information will be filled out on PRA Proven
Performing Roller application forms. Included
should be the date, band number, color and marking, age,
sex, and who flew it. Judges, owner and Area Director
must sign form. Verification forms can be obtained from
your Area Director.
6.
Copies of completed Verification forms will be issued to
the owner of the bird being verified by the Governing
Councilman in charge. The Governing Councilman in charge
will also record your verification in the PRA
Verification Record Book. The Governing Councilman in
charge is responsible for the Verification Program. (You
must show preof of NBRC/IRA Certified birds).
7. All Proven Performing Rollers will be eligible for
display events of the PRA Annual Fly and Display
conventions and the NPA National Sow conventions.
Remember the display is not a show, it is a chance to
share our top rollers with all who attend the
conventions. We do not display our flying rollers for a
show conformation standard. Our rollers are picked out
of the air for their rolling quality and that is our
standard. We will never have a written conformation
standard. A true Flying Performing Roller turns over
backwards with inconceivable rapidity through a
considerable distance like a spinning ball. This is the
Flying Performing Roller standard we go by. All birds on
display will be P.R.A. Verified. (We also honor NBRC/IRA
Certification).
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