When talking about top-tier pigeon racing in the Netherlands, the name Ype Hemstra stands tall. A seasoned and passionate fancier from Buitenpost, Ype has made his mark with two exceptional pigeons that dominated the national and international scene in 2023. With the 1st National Pigeon Champion Middle Distance and the 3rd Olympiad Pigeon Long Distance under his wing, Ype Hemstra’s name has become synonymous with excellence.
A Passion Ignited Early
Ype’s love for pigeons started at the tender age of seven. Without any family influence—his father had hoped he’d take up kaatsball—Ype pursued pigeon racing independently. His journey began at the “De Koerier” association in Buitenpost, where his dedication to the sport took flight.
Aside from pigeon racing, Ype built a career as a professional sheep shearer, which led him to Australia in his 30s, where he stayed for seven years. Upon returning to Europe, he established a sheep farm near Leipzig, Germany, continuing to race pigeons from 2002 to 2015. Eventually, the pull of the homeland brought him back to Friesland, where he resumed racing in Oosterwierum before returning to his roots in Buitenpost in 2017.
Success Across Two Lofts
Ype now operates two active lofts: one in Buitenpost, managed alongside loft caretaker Dirk Jelle Drost, and another in Sint Jansklooster, known as “Hok Hemstra,” cared for by Henri van der Linde. Despite being in different locations, both lofts operate under Ype’s breeding vision and have achieved remarkable success.
In Buitenpost, “Frau Korner” (NL21-4220670) and “Olympic Kaasboer” (NL21-4220508) emerged as standout performers. Meanwhile, in Sint Jansklooster, “Nieuw Goed Grijs” (NL22-8018685) rose to fame as the 1st National Middle Distance Pigeon of 2023.
Top Performers
Nieuw Goed Grijs
Flown in Sint Jansklooster, this hen clinched the title of 1st National Middle Distance Pigeon in 2023. Though her early performance as a young bird was modest, she flourished in the middle-distance category, especially after her partner was kept at home to motivate her.
Key performances include:
• 1st Arlon (1,529 pigeons)
• 2nd Dizy le Gros (695 pigeons)
• 3rd Chalons en Champagne (928 pigeons)
Her pedigree combines the best of the Leideman brothers, Van den Brande, and Tj. & J. Elzinga, blending strength, consistency, and endurance.
Olympic Kaasboer
This hen earned a coveted spot as the 3rd Olympiad Pigeon in the Long Distance category for the Netherlands. Flown in Buitenpost, her resume includes:
• 1st Châteauroux (457 pigeons – National Sector 4)
• 1st Issoudun (335 pigeons – Dept. 11)
• 10th Sourdun (1,256 pigeons – Flight Area 3)
Her lineage includes Marcel Aelbrecht, Peter Jansen, and Gaston Van de Wouwer, with the legendary “Kaasboer” line at its heart.
Frau Korner
Half-sister to “Olympic Kaasboer,” she achieved the title of 1st Pigeon Champion General Long Distance in Friesland Department ‘96. Her performances, consistently among the top, contributed to the overall dominance of Ype’s loft in 2023.
Loft Management & Philosophy
Ype’s approach to pigeon care is methodical yet natural. At the Buitenpost loft, approximately 30 breeding pairs and 60 racing pairs are managed under total widowhood. Birds are released once a day and trained from the first department flights—no additional training or darkening programs are used for older birds.
Henri’s care in Sint Jansklooster follows a similar ethos: minimal intervention, consistent routine, and a strong belief in the natural rhythm of the birds. Pigeons are flown on total widowhood, and performances are backed by nutrition from Beyers and Vanrobaeys, natural supplements from Aldert Hiemstra’s Almar-products, and minimal use of medications.
Breeding & Bloodlines
Ype’s lofts are stocked with high-caliber pigeons from:
• Gebr. A & B Leideman
• Leo Heremans (Belgium)
• Maurice Hasendonckx (Belgium)
• Marcel Aelbrecht (Belgium)
• Otto Korner (Germany)
This international blend has created a powerhouse of performance genetics, with proven results on the biggest stages.
Recent Achievements
In the competitive circuit of Friesland Department ’96 and CCG “De Walden”, Ype’s loft achieved:
• 1st General Champion (undesignated)
• 2nd General Champion (designated)
• 1st Pigeon Champion General with “Frau Korner”
• 1st Pigeon Champion Day Long Distance with “Olympic Kaasboer”
• Multiple top pigeon and loft rankings across all categories
The Future of Hok Hemstra
Though the loft in Sint Jansklooster is still in its development phase, early success with “Nieuw Goed Grijs” shows its promising potential. With Henri managing and Ype supplying quality birds, this partnership is poised for future glory.
