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SAHPA 2016 Year Book Page 28
Bob Huff - Moulamein Open
Bob Huff:
Winning this year’s SAHPA Moulamein Open was the highlight of my pigeon
racing career. It was made even more special since my late Dad had tried for many years to
win, and despite a number of second placings, he had never actually achieved a win. I must
admit my first thought on winning was “this one is for Dad”. I felt quite emotional about it.
Having raced with my father (also named Bob Huff) for many years before pursuing my
teaching career in the country (Yorke Peninsula, Karoonda and Eyre Peninsula) I returned to
pigeon racing ironically when Dad became too sick to look after his birds. In 1992 I took his
birds and loft up to my small farm five kilometres from Mylor in the Adelaide Hills.
Regrettably dad’s birds were not suited to the hills (too falcon shy) and I had to look for birds
better suited to the area.
Many thanks to Bronte Andrewartha, Ian Edwards, Rodney Howe and Michael Terreri who
gave me a number of good birds and from then on my results started to improve. Bronte and
the late Bob Pearson were very generous with their time and helpful advice. Even though dad
had taught me a great deal I have found pigeon racing in the hills very different and
challenging.
Prior to winning Moulamein my birds had been having a very tough time during training as
two resident falcons had been constantly and ferociously attacking them. I remember dad
telling me that if you are having problems, it is ok to lock the birds up for a few days. I did
this and it clearly must have helped. I started letting them out again four days before
hampering for the race even though the weather was still very wet and windy.