David Clausing Story

As a child on my grandparents dairy farm, I was intrigued by the wild barn pigeons flying around. The first pigeons of my own at six years old, were racing pigeons. I kept them as pets, until I started racing twenty years later.
I had seven winless years in Wisconsin, then four more in Florida. I got my Houben strain in 1991, and won six out of ten races with their offspring in my first year racing them in 1992.
In 1993, I had a Hall of Fame bird.
In 1994 I had our first #1 National Champion "Anna Marie" (who I named after my wife, Anna).
   

In 1995 I started entering money races, and won six of the nine one loft races I entered, and won over $94,000.00 in that year.

I was invited to race in the Belgium one loft race in 1996 where my Clausing-Houbens were scoring consistently at the top, against the best in Europe.
In 1997 I was partners with the Houben Family in the first "Million Dollar Race", in Africa, and won second prize. My 50% share of the $100,000.00 was a great big rebate on lots of great Houben imports.
I had the number one ACE bird of the "Million Dollar Race" series in 1998.
In 1999, 2000, and 2001 I continued winning money races, and primarily, one loft races.
Winning third in the 2002 "Million Dollar Race" and $75,000.00 was so fantastic,as it was such a tough race with only three other day birds. But, of course, now the highlight of my pigeon career is winning first in the 2003 "Million Dollar Race", the largest and most prestigious one loft race in the world. This is the race the rest of the world wants to and needs to follow or copy.
I had bought over 30 imports in 1992, and over 90 in 1994, having imported a total of over 250 birds over the years.
I had enlarged my small flock to keeping over 2,000 birds from 1994 to 1998. But, I have cut my numbers in half each year for the past several years, keeping about 100 birds total now.
I breed from 50 to 60 hens and about 20 cocks bred on the bull system. I use foster parents to get the most production out of my birds.
My "Million Dollar Race" 2002 third prize winner is from a son of my best breeder "Dana" (named after my oldest son), and 2003 first prize winner is from a daughter of "Dana".
I have won over $295,000.00 in the past 13 months from children off of three sons and one daughter of "Dana".

I am breeding from three times as many children of "Dana" in 2003. The results have shown the direction for the future.
One loft races are tests for superior genetics, the proof is in the performances.
Playing with my pigeons in the money races has been my most enjoyable and profitable hobby and job combined.
I was very lucky to get some very super breeders, and skillful to form my most successful and consistent family around them.

Sincerely,
David Clausing