Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race 2022 intake for 2023 Race Series

General Terms and Conditions:

1. Entry and Activation

2. Quarantine and Shipping

3. Reserves and Eligible Birds

4. Training and Racing

5. Prize Money, Auctions and Pedigrees

6. General

Definitions:

Squad is 4 pigeons entered by a fancier with 1 activated pigeon and 3 reserve pigeons.

Activated pigeon (PAID /ACTIVE) is a pigeon for which the entry fee has been paid.

Reserve is a pigeon which will take the place of an activated pigeon if it is lost or unable to participate.

1. Entry and Activation

1.1 Participants may enter one or more squads consisting of 1 activated pigeon and up to 3 reserve pigeons per squad (see entry & payment form). An entrant may opt to send fewer or no reserve pigeons in a squad. The Race has the right to reject entries from individuals or syndicates without explanation.

1.2 The chosen name of participants as an individual or syndicate cannot be changed after the first Hotspot.

1.3 An activated pigeon is designated as such when the individual bird entry fee of US$ 1 000 (net after bank charges) has been paid and confirmed as being received. All payments must be made to Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race Ltd (see entry & payment form). Short payments will need to be topped up.

1.4 All activated pigeons before Hotspot 3 are automatically in the Super Ace competition. Super Ace or Team activations are not transferable to any reserve after the entry deadline. Replacements of lost birds, by reserves, are only eligible to compete for the remaining Hotspot races, Grand Averages and Final. Activated birds that are replaced by a reserve, which subsequently return, will have a reserve status but can contribute to the Super Ace or Team competition. If any Super Ace or Team bird under these conditions is not activated by the original entrant, by the deadline before the final, it cannot continue to compete in the Super Ace or Team competition.

1.5 Pigeons lost BEFORE basketing of Hotspot 3 (approximately 300 km) will receive 100% credit for the portion paid for that activation. If a bird is activated from credits it cannot receive further credits. This is provided there is no reserve available to replace it, and provided that no prize money has been won for that activation. Thereafter no credits will be due for lost pigeons.

Credits can be used to activate other “For Sale Birds” in the current race season or carried over toward future entries in the following race season. They are not redeemable or transferrable to other entrants.

The credit under this rule will expire after one race season and is not carried forward thereafter. Any credits for lost pigeons from a previous year will be applied to pigeons in the current year in order of activation, in other words the credits will be used up first.

1.6 An entry of at least 1 pigeon per squad sent to the race must be paid for prior to the receipt of pigeons by the Race’s designated agents (see designated agents) and proof of payment submitted to the agent and copied to the Race via email (all payments must be net after bank charges). Fancier accounts will be credited with the amount received by VFWCPR. If minimum payment has not been received with shipment as outlined here, the pigeons may be converted to Venture Birds or removed from the competition. If any pigeon is not activated by the original entrant, they will lose all rights to the bird.

2. Quarantine and Shipping

2.1 Payment for pre-quarantine and shipping must be made by the entrant on admission to the pre-quarantine facility which will be co-ordinated by the designated agent. All pigeons must be vaccinated against Paramyxovirus at 21 to 24 days old, preferably with a herpes PMV combo vaccine. It would also be desirable to vaccinate against Paratyphoid and Rotavirus.

2.2 There will be several scheduled intakes of pigeons for quarantine prior to shipping which must be organised through designated agents. Intakes by agents will be from July to October 2022. Please contact your agent for specific dates. The Race reserves the right to cancel later shipments if it is felt that the loft capacity will be exceeded.

2.3 During the period of quarantine and prior to any pigeons being shipped to Zimbabwe an entrant will have the opportunity to send replacement birds should any die or need replacing. Advice of the need to replace must come from your designated agent and onus of liaison about replacements rests with the entrant. No replacements can be shipped from abroad after the last scheduled intake organised by the respective agents.

2.4 For the 2022 year of intake all pigeons must bear seamless identification life rings issued by a recognised Racing Pigeon Organisation showing the number, year and particulars of the issuing organisation and must bear 2022 year rings.

3. Reserves and Activated Birds

3.1 The entrant must stipulate on the entry form the activated pigeon and the reserves in order of preference. If the order is not stipulated, then the pigeons will be entered randomly. Birds cannot be moved between squads. An entrant has the option to change the order of their pigeons within a squad up to 24 hours prior to the first Hotspot. This must be done in writing. Changes in the order of pigeons can only be made once and are not permitted thereafter.

3.2 Reserve pigeons only become activated pigeons if a further US$ 1 000 is paid for the selected reserve or when an activated pigeon in the same squad is lost or unable to participate.

3.3 Reserve pigeons will automatically fill the place of a previously activated pigeon in the same squad if it is not present or unable to take part in an up-and-coming prize paying race. The replacement pigeon cannot replace the original pigeon in individual or team bird competitions.

3.4 Any activated pigeon which is replaced by a reserve which is subsequently deemed fit enough to continue training and racing, in the absolute discretion of the race management, will continue as a reserve pigeon as the next in line. This pigeon can only re-enter as an activated pigeon if the fee of US$1 000 is paid or if it takes the place of the activated pigeon through the normal reserve replacement process. Other reserves can be activated by paying the US$ 1 000 fee.

3.5 Only activated pigeons qualify for prize money at the designated Hotspots and Final Race (see prize money) . The proof of any payment made to activate a reserve pigeon must be emailed to admin@victoriafallswcpr.com at least 72 hours prior to the basketing of any prize money race to qualify for that race. Any lesser period may be accepted by the Race at its sole discretion. Payments can be done through fancier logins. Pigeons not activated by the cut-off time for the Final will be hidden.

3.6 If any bird is not activated by the original entrant within 7 daysafter Hotspot 6 VFWC may sell the rights to prize money to the first person who pays the entrance fee. There will be no booking of pigeons and payment must be done on the website. All rights to the pigeon will be vested with the activator.

3.7Only pigeons that have been activated will be awarded prize money. If an un-activated pigeon (reserve or venture) is timed in a prize money position it will not count. Instead, the next activated pigeon in line will earn the prize.

3.8 Venture racers and “For Sale Birds” are eligible to compete in all competitions and Bonus Races if they are activated birds.

3.9 Pigeons once entered in a squad cannot be transferred to another squad or entrant except in the case of unpaid pigeons which may be purchased by a third party as defined herein.

4. Training and Racing

4.1 The race management reserves the right to vary the training and race program to cater for inclement or unfavourable weather conditions or for any other reason deemed necessary for the welfare of the birds or in the best interests of the events.

4.2 Training direction, frequency and distance is at the sole discretion of the Race. Training tosses may not necessarily be advertised unless they are live and online, counting towards averages.

4.3 Minimal interference of returning pigeons will be undertaken by trainers. Pigeons will not be permitted to sit out and will be encouraged to trap by calling in or herding from a distance.

4.4 The race programme advertised is only given as a guide and will be adjusted when necessary.

4.5 All pigeons upon entry are given over to the Race for the management and care during racing and training. Ownership of the pigeons excluding any breeding rights is vested with the Race for the duration of the training and racing programme. The rights to their portion of prize money, the net sale proceeds as defined herein as well as all breeding rights to the pigeon will belong to the activator of the bird. The method of care, training and racing will be at the sole discretion of the management team.

4.6 Loss of pigeons during quarantine, training, and racing whether by hazardous conditions, sickness or injury is to be expected and although prudent management will be used to mitigate against losses VFWCPR Ltd, or its appointed agents will not be held responsible for any losses.

5. Prize Money, Auctions and Pedigrees

5.1 In the event that not all prize positions are won then the unwon prizes will be split equally between the winning positions.

5.2 On conclusion of the race season some pigeons will be selected for sale and sold at the sole discretion of the Race. 50% of the net proceeds after sale costs will be paid to the activator of the pigeon. This will be paid after the purchase price has been paid by the buyer and when the pigeon has been delivered to the buyer. If something happens to a pigeon before delivery to the buyer, the sale of that pigeon will be cancelled, and the Race will not be held responsible for this. The sale on auction of the pigeons transfers the ownership rights as well as the breeding rights of the pigeon to the buyer thereof.

5.3 Entrants are encouraged to supply pedigrees showing a minimum of 2 generations to maximise the sale price of the birds. These pedigrees can be supplied with the birds to the agents or scanned and emailed to admin@victoriafallswcpr.com direct. Pedigrees can be uploaded onto the website. If pigeons are supplied without a pedigree, there will be no pay out of sale proceeds to the activator. Pigeons without pedigrees will be sold or given away in the absolute discretion of the Race. The deadline for the supply of pedigrees is 4 days after the Final Race and must include ring cards where applicable.

5.4 If a syndicate is registering pigeons for participation there must be one nominated individual or company for communication purposes and for receipt of prize money and after race sale proceeds. The Race will only take instructions from the appointed person about syndicate birds.

5.5 After all races are finished (including any Enduro series if applicable), an entrant may elect to buy back their own pigeons for US$ 500 plus shipping and quarantine costs, each under the following conditions.

5.5.1 Only pigeons not selected to go to any auction may be bought back.

5.5.2 Only the activator of the bird may buy it back. This right is not transferable. If there is an Enduro series the activator for the first series will have first option before that of the Enduro series.

5.5.3 The cost of the bird plus shipping and quarantine costs must be paid before shipping.

5.5.4 Approximate costs can be given at the time of booking which must be done by email.

5.5.5 Shipping will only be done to destinations where we can legally, easily and safely transport pigeons. Buyers in other destinations must arrange with the respective shippers in these countries for onward shipping.

5.5.6 There will be no portion of the sale amount of US$ 500 due to the activator of the bird.

6. General

6.1 No person involved in the racing or training of the pigeons or any of their immediate family members may participate in the race for prize money.

6.2 The pigeons entered into the final race, and the top 10 prize money winning pigeons will be verified by independent auditors.

6.3 The racing of pigeons prior to sending to Victoria Falls is no longer permitted. Many pre-raced pigeons get lost and often lead other pigeons astray resulting in some of them also getting lost. Pigeons could be checked, particularly prize winners. Offenders could face disqualification with no refund or prize pay-out.

6.4 For the purposes of all Hotspots and the Final, race time will close at 18:00 on the day after the 1^st bird arrival or such other time that the Race may announce. For online training flights the flight will close at 10:00 on the day after the 1^st bird arrival or such other time that may be decided by management.

6.5 Upon entry of birds to the race it is deemed that the entrant fully understands and agrees to the terms and conditions contained herein.

6.6 Any dispute that may arise after any race or the interpretation of these terms and conditions must be referred in the first instance to.

Managing Director,
Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race Ltd,
Suite 4, 2nd Floor,

The West Wing,

Montarik House,

Gibraltar,

GX11 1AA

If the dispute is not amicably resolved, then it will be referred to arbitration for settlement under the laws of Gibraltar.

6.7 In terms of law the English version of these terms and conditions will be used as the official version.

6.8 Force Majeure

In this Clause "Event of Force Majeure" means an event beyond the control of the Authority and the Operator, which prevents a Party from complying with any of its obligations under this Contract, including but not limited to:

6.8.1 act of God (such as, but not limited to, fires, explosions, earthquakes, drought, tidal waves, and floods).

6.8.2 war, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), invasion, act of foreign enemies, mobilisation, requisition, or embargo.

6.8.3 rebellion, revolution, insurrection, or military or usurped power, or civil war.

6.8.4 riot, commotion, strikes, go slows, lock outs or disorder, unless solely restricted to employees of the Supplier or of his Sub-contractors: or

6.8.5 pandemics, widespread or localised disease outbreaks, restrictions of air traffic; or

6.8.6 acts or threats of terrorism; or

6.8.7 veterinary restrictions

In the event of Force Majeure being declared prior to the final race:

Entrants shall be given an option to be paid a full refund for any money paid to VFWCPR for the current season or to receive a credit for use in a later race programme.

Every reasonable effort will be made to safeguard the welfare of the pigeons and any actions taken by the Race will be at the sole discretion of management who cannot be held liable.

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