That the southwest of Germany is a true stronghold for national and international long-distance racing is no secret. Thanks to the short distances to liberation sites in Southern France and Spain, the international races offer an attractive playing field for fanciers in this region. When the weather also plays along, with tailwinds from the west or southwest, fanciers in the Saar-Palatinate area can benefit significantly.

A striking proof of this regional strength: five national victories in seven national/international races in 2025, including the 1st National Dax won by Ewald & Elvira Heller of Mörsbach (Palatinate).

The Rise of E. & E. Heller

The Heller partnership has been among the top performers in international long-distance racing for many years. Their story began modestly: Ewald (78) kept his first pigeons as a boy on the family farm, though his father was not supportive – “with that feed you could keep ten chickens,” he often replied when Ewald asked for money to refill the grain bin.

Over the years, together with his wife Elvira, Ewald built a modern pigeon loft on their property in Mörsbach, beautifully integrated into the landscape. As an independent electrician, Ewald was often busy on construction sites, so Elvira gradually took over the daily care of the birds. What started with simply feeding and watering eventually became the full management of the racing team.

The first major successes came in the 1980s and 1990s, largely based on Seegmüller pigeons, later reinforced with top bloodlines from Belgium and the Netherlands, such as Vereeke, Toye, Devos, and later through Eijerkamp and Wim Muller. Thanks to their strong ties with Heinz Seegmüller, Ewald gained access to some of the very best lofts in Belgium and the Netherlands – a foundation still central to their success today.

Partnership with Herbots

The outstanding results of the Heller loft soon caught the attention of the Herbots family in Belgium. This led to a successful collaboration, giving the Mörsbach loft an extra boost. With Dr. Raf Herbots as their trusted veterinarian, the breeding and racing pigeons undergo health checks every year before pairing. The daily care also follows the Herbots plan, with targeted supplements used to prepare for the national classics.

Care and Feeding

The feeding schedule is carefully structured:

• Preparation: 50% Super Diet + 50% racing mix.
• Before nationals: in the last four days, a high-fat power mix.

Cocks are always fed generously, hens more sparingly. Additionally, grit and minerals are given fresh daily, and a weekly bath is provided – essential for recovery after races. All pigeons eat together from the same trough; no separate feeding is done for the race team.

The Winner – 1st National Dax 2025

The victory went to the hen 08228-22-1 W, against 522 pigeons.

• Father: 08228-13-1093 V, son of B 311 V (original Herbots), himself out of the 1st National Barcelona 2008 against 7,300 pigeons.
• Mother: 08228-16-523 W, 1st National Perpignan (hens) 2020, with bloodlines from Gaby Vandenabeele and Chris Hebberecht.

A textbook example of a cross between proven long-distance bloodlines – endurance, strength, and class combined.

Strong Foundations and Influences

In addition to their own strong foundation with Seegmüller pigeons, the Hellers have successfully introduced pigeons from Karl-Heinz Koers, SG Kipp & Söhne, Lothar Lessmeister, Co van Dommelen, and Comb. Walpot. The influence of the Herbots family also continues to play a central role.

Elvira meticulously manages all pedigrees and data, stored neatly on the computer, ensuring that no detail is lost.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 season was a special one: no young birds were bred, leaving a gap in the racing team. Yet optimism prevails. “Success is the best motivation and the greatest stimulus for the future,” says Ewald.

The national victory from Dax crowned their season – the perfect “painkiller” after a year without youngsters.

Josef Ernst