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CAMERA & VIDEO PAGE http://www.empirefarm.ca/cameras.pl
(April 11th to Sept 26th)
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EMPIRE CLASSIC LOFT
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2012 EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN One Loft Race 7TH ANNUAL Hosted by Judy and Jim McInnes......Empire
Farm ______________________________________________________________________ ATTENTION A TOUS LES COLOMBOPHILES FRANCOPHONES....nous espérons voir plus de participants francophones à la course d'Empire Classic One Loft Race. Puisque notre site web est uniquement en anglais nous nous rendons compte que plusieurs de nos amis de langue française ne peuvent pas comprendre entièrement et clairement les règles et l'information au sujet des courses. Nous avons demandé a M. Gilles Paquette de traduire nos règles et l'information sur nos course en français. Veuillez communiquer avec M. Paquette pour plus d'information sur notre site web. Donc voici ces coordonnés par téléphone (613) 824 7385 ou par courriel gfls@rogers.com . Nous espérons que vous aurez une meilleure communication afin que vous participiez en plus grand nombre. Merci, Jim McInnes.
________________________________________________________________ We are located on the North Shore of Lake Ontario, 1 ½ hours east of Toronto and 1 hour west of Kingston. The area was originally settled by Empire Loyalists and is prime farmland although the urban expansion of Toronto is creeping closer each year. Our residence is a Victorian brick farm house built in 1846. Our wood lot boasts majestic oak, maple, white pine, cherry, ash and cedar. A truly spectacular setting for our racing and breeding lofts and our Empire Classic loft. As well as an ideal setting for your Classic birds, we offer a high degree of experience, skill and success in the management of racing pigeons. Our credentials and successes as racing fanciers and organizers of special events are well known across Canada and beyond. We traditionally have very few losses with our own racing team when others are experiencing heavy losses, a huge benefit for anyone entering our Empire Classic Triple Crown One Loft race. We hope to make our EMPIRE CLASSIC WEEKEND a special occasion, not only for the winners but also for everyone attending. It will be a golden opportunity to meet old friends, develop new friendships, watch some birds race home and enjoy our complimentary meals and refreshments. We are proud of our track record in managing the Empire Classic. In 2006, our first year, 70% of the total number of entries were shipped to the Empire Classic 350. In 2007 a whopping 82% of the total number of entries were shipped to the Empire Classic 350. In 2008 66% of the total entries were shipped to the Empire Classic 350. In 2009 65% of the total entries were shipped to the Empire Classic 350. In 2010 we set a record, 84% of total entries were shipped to the main event. In 2011 we sent 75% of the total entries to the 310 mile main event. This is a 74% average over six years. Compare these numbers to any other large One Loft Race. Remember "if your bird does not go to the race, it can not win the race". Also compare our prize payouts compared to our entry costs ($200 per bird which includes perch fee) to any other large One Loft Races. You will not find a better "bang for your buck". We do not take a percentage of pools or prize money. The detailed prize payouts are posted prior to the arrival of the birds. You can calculate your prize and pool winnings without waiting to see what we send you. Training tosses, races etc are posted on our web site. We keep you informed with our Empire Classic "DIARY". Regular updates, news and Classic information is posted on the "DIARY" throughout the year. Check out our "DIARY" from time to time, starting now.
******** 2012 Empire Classic Triple Crown******* This is our 7th Annual Empire Classic, we have continued each year with very few big changes although we will make minor changes to improve and enhance your One Loft experience. Others have copied our ideas and format BUT that is okay with us because NOBODY DOES IT BETTER than us! Here are the rules for 2012: 1) All races will be CLOCKING ORDER, we will not use the drop system. 2) We will use a TRIPLE CROWN format which will include the following three races, EMPIRE CLASSIC 200 (300 km), EMPIRE CLASSIC 310 (500 km) & EMPIRE MARATHON 380 (600 km). See details below. Distances are approximate and may be altered because of weather conditions at the discretion of Jim McInnes. 3) We will crown a EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON. The pigeon with the least amount of total flying time over the three Triple Crown Races will be the winner. (See details below). 4) There is only one way to enter, a 5 BIRD TEAM ($1000 plus applicable tax on perch fee only). ALL BIRDS on the 5 Bird Team are eligible for the Empire Classic 200 & the Empire Classic 310 (Empire Marathon 380 will have a separate entry fee, see below). This means there is NO ACTIVATION FEE REQUIRED. The perch fee is $375 plus HST per team which is already included in the 5 Bird Team ($1000 plus perch fee tax) entry fee. *****TOTAL COST of 5 Bird Team entries: ONTARIO, QUEBEC, NEW BRUNSWICK, USA...............................$ 1048.75 PER TEAM BRITISH COLUMBIA...............................................................................$ 1045 PER TEAM ALBERTA, MANITOBA, SASKATCHEWAN......................................$ 1018.75 PER TEAM
TRAINING: The training program will be the same as it has been for the previous six years. The birds will receive approximately 20 training tosses including two or three tosses at the 120 mile (190 km) station. We are experts at conditioning race birds through loft flying, training and feeding, our racing records in our own racing loft and in the past six years at the Empire Classic proves this. Your birds will be in top form to show their racing potential.
EMPIRE CLASSIC 200 (300KM): Based on 1000 bird entry. This will be the first of three Triple Crown Races and will be flown on or about Aug 25th, 2012. There is no entry fee for this race, it is included in your 5 Bird entry fee. There will be no pooling in this race. We will payout 5 POSITIONS with the following prize money: (Based on 1000 entries) 1st........$2000 2nd.......$1500 3rd........$1000 4th........$750 5th........$500
The birds in the first 5 positions in this race will receive a Empire Classic, custom made, personalized diploma. The first, second & third bird will receive a Empire Classic medal, engraved with the owners name and band number of the bird. The first five birds in this race are eligible go to the Empire Classic Internet auction however they can continue to race in the Empire Classic 310 and the Empire Marathon 380. This race will be excellent preparation for the Empire Classic 310. Exact date of this race will be posted on the Diary one day before race day, you are welcome to view the return of the birds but no "facilities" will be provided. Note: All available birds will be shipped to this race at the discretion of management (Jim McInnes).
EMPIRE CLASSIC 310 (500 km): Based on 1000 bird entry. This is the main money race, all birds available will be shipped to this race. All birds from your 5 Bird Team are eligible for this race, NO ACTIVATION REQUIRED. We will payout 40 positions for this race as follows: Based on 1000 bird entry. 1ST........$25,000 2ND.......$15,000 3RD........$10,000 4TH.......$7,000 5TH......$5,000 6TH.......$4000 7TH.......$3000 8TH........$2000 9TH to 39th.......$1000 40TH........$250
The birds in the first 40 positions will receive a Empire Classic, custom made, personalized diploma. The first 3 birds will receive a Empire Classic medal, engraved with the owners name and band number of the bird. The first 25 birds will be eligible to go to the Empire Classic Internet auction however they also can be shipped to the Empire Marathon 380, at the discretion of the owner. This will be the only race with pooling and a loft auction (see following details).
POOLS: All pools are paid out based on clocking order. Pool sheets will be available prior to the Classic 310. Pool money must be in our hands by 11 am on race day. POOL MONEY MUST BE PAID IN CASH OR CERTIFIED CHEQUE unless in our hands 3 weeks prior to the event. After 11 am race day and before 12 noon race day any person can pool birds in the pool category that has not been taken by the owner. All pools will be posted on the board for all to see before the birds arrive home. POOLS for EMPIRE CLASSIC 310: $10, $20, $30, $50, $100, at 10 to 1 payout. also $100 winner take all pool. Note: NO TAXES on pools NOTE: 100% of Pools will be paid out. CLASSIC 310 SHIPPING DATE: Saturday Sept 1st, 2012 at 1 pm. Owners can handle their birds before they go into the shipping trailer but you must be at Empire Farm by 1 pm. If you arrive late and your bird has been placed in the trailer you cannot handle your bird. We will hold a loft auction after the birds are shipped, 100% paid out to the winners. Loft auction proceeds paid out in THREE prizes, 50%, 30%, 20% Owners can pre purchase their lofts for $75 (No Taxes) but must do so before the beginning of the auction. Complimentary refreshments and light meal will be available. CLASSIC 310 RACE DAY: Sunday Sept 2nd, 2012 (or next favorable day). Come early to finalize your pooling. Owners have until 11 am on race day to pool their birds. After 11 am race day anyone else can take any pools not held by the owner. Complimentary refreshments and lunch will be served.
EMPIRE MARATHON 380 (600 km): This is the third race of the Empire Classic Triple Crown. This race requires a separate entry fee and a minimum number of paid entries. This race will take place 2 to 3 weeks after the Empire Classic 310. You do not have to commit to entering this race until after the Empire Classic 310. There will be a completely separate fee charged for this race which will go toward expenses and prize money. This fee will be payable within one week after the Empire Classic 310. All 2012 EMPIRE CLASSIC ONE LOFT BIRDS are eligible ! This is an opportunity to test your Empire Classic birds at a longer distance. Your birds are already here, trained and raced to 310 miles in the Empire Classic. We will continue their training and prepare them for the Empire Classic Marathon which is a distance of 380 miles. Test your breeding against the best under one management system and one loft location. ****BIRDS MUST BE NOMINATED AND ENTRY MONEY PAID NO LATER THAN SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH.
****COST : $125 per bird, includes $25 perch fee ****EMPIRE MARATHON 380 birds will be released by themselves! ****EMPIRE CLASSIC MARATHON PRIZE PAYOUT: 1 prize for every 15 birds entered. For example 195 birds gives 13 prizes. Prize breakdown will be posted prior to the race. ****Entry money paid for birds entered in the Empire Classic Marathon but birds are unable to be shipped, $100 per bird will be returned to owner. (Shipping of birds at the discretion of Jim McInnes). ****NOTE: The Empire Marathon 380 will only be held if we have at least 125 birds entered. PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to begin training earlier than in the past the birds for the MARATHON 380 we will start loft flying and road training shortly after the EMPIRE CLASSIC 310. All birds who have returned from the EMPIRE CLASSIC 310 will be trained whether they are nominated for the EMPIRE MARATHON 380 or not. We are doing this in an effort to hold the Marathon one week earlier than in the past to take advantage of longer daylight for our Marathon. We are not responsible for any EMPIRE CLASSIC 310 birds lost during the preparation of the MARATHON 380 race.
EMPIRE MARATHON 380 (based on 195 birds): TOTAL PRIZE MONEY:$19,500 1st: $5000 2nd: $4000 3rd: $3000 4th: $2000 5th: $1000 6th: $1000 7th to 13th: $500 ****All prize money winning birds will receive a custom made, personalized Empire Classic diploma and the first 3 birds will receive a Empire Marathon medal, engraved with the owners name and band number of the bird. ****The first 10 birds scoring in the Marathon 380 will go to the Internet auction.
EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON: (Based on 1000 paid entries) The bird with the lowest combined flying time over the three Triple Crown Races (Empire Classic 200, Empire Classic 310 & Empire Marathon 380) will be crowned the EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON. We will provide prizes for the top 3 birds in the EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON competition as follows: 1st...$10,000 2nd...$5,000 3rd...$2,000
****The top five EMPIRE TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEONS will receive a Empire custom designed, personalized diploma and the EMPIRE TRIPLE CROWN ACE pigeon will receive a EMPIRE medal, engraved with the owners name and band number of the bird. The first 3 EMPIRE TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEONS will be auctioned on the Internet.
NOTE: If we DO NOT have a EMPIRE MARATHON 380 we will still crown a EMPIRE CLASSIC ACE PIGEON. This will be the bird with the lowest combined flying time at the EMPIRE CLASSIC 200 and EMPIRE CLASSIC 310. We will provide money prizes, diplomas and medals etc exactly the same as shown above......1st.......$10,000 2nd........$5,000 3rd.......$2,000
NOTE: If we hold a MARATHON 380 and award EMPIRE TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON prizes we WILL NOT recognize or give prizes for any EMPIRE ACE PIGEONS ( combined flying time at Empire Classic 200 & Empire Classic 310). WE ONLY AWARD ONE SET OF TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON AWARDS and PRIZE MONEY.
Bernie's MASTER BREEDER AWARD:
Last year the MASTER BREEDER AWARD was a big success so we will continue with the same award this year. Now that more fanciers know how it works we should get very strong participation this year, here is how it works: When you deliver your 5 bird team to Empire farm you nominate ONE bird from your team to represent you as a MASTER BREEDER, you pay $100 (No Taxes) on top of your 5 bird entry fee of $1000 (plus HST on perch fee). How well you chose your bird will be decided at the EMPIRE CLASSIC 310 (clocking order at the EMPIRE CLASSIC 310 only). You do not need to win the race, you only need the first Master Breeder bird. We will award prizes as follows: 50% of your $100 will be given as a "winner take all" prize, the other 50% will be given out in 10 to 1 prizes (a prize for every 10 birds entered). Based on 100 MASTER BREEDER birds the payout will be: $10,000 in prizes...1st = $ 5,000......2nd = $1,000 3rd = $ 1,000.......4th = $ 1,000........5th = $ 1,000.......6th = $ 1,000. Bernie Bedard will provide a trophy or plaque to the MASTER BREEDER winner. GENERAL INFORMATION: WHEN DO YOU SEND YOUR YOUNGSTERS TO EMPIRE FARM? Birds must arrive at Empire Farm between April 15th and June 1st, 2011. ALL ENTRY FEES MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR BIRDS. Please make cheques payable to "Empire Classic". CANADIAN BIRD ENTRIES: Empire Classic bird entries from Canadian fanciers can be delivered in person to Empire Farm or can be shipped by Air Canada to Kingston, ONTARIO Airport. We will make special arrangements for BC FANCIERS to ship WEST JET if they are having problems with Air Canada. PLEASE CONTACT JIM MCINNES ATTENTION AMERICAN FANCIERS! We would like to give our American friends the opportunity to participate in the BEST One Loft Race in Canada and perhaps amongst the best in America and to compete against the top Canadian fanciers. To this end we have made it very easy for Americans to send their birds to the Empire Classic. Simply mail your birds via US POST to our AMERICAN CONTACT, Dale Zehr, in New York (see info below). We will get the vet health permits (no quarantine required) and we will deliver your birds to the Empire Classic Loft. Best of all WE WILL PAY ALL EXPENSES, you just have to get your birds to our AMERICAN CONTACT. Give us a try, your birds will love our climate and race course. Our climate and temperatures are very similar to many parts of the USA. Spring time (when the birds arrive) temperatures are in the 60's or low 70's. During the summer temperatures are in the 80's or at least high 70's. AMERICAN BIRD ENTRIES: Empire Classic bird entries from American fanciers can be delivered by Air or in person or by US Postal Service to: DALE ZEHR 10632 Jackson Lane Carthage, NY 13619 USA tel: 315 771 9081 email: zehrsloft@yahoo.com MANAGEMENT of EMPIRE CLASSIC BIRDS: Classic birds will be managed by Judy and Jim McInnes. The care, training and management of the Empire Classic birds is at the sole discretion of Jim McInnes. The birds will be given top quality grain mixtures supplied by BADEN FEED CO. The UNIKON electronic timing system will be used for recording training results and for the Empire Classic 200, 310 & Empire Marathon 380 results. COMMUNICATION: Our main means of communication with our Empire Classic participants will be our web site: www.empirefarm.ca Please check our "DIARY" on a regular bases for ongoing updates. We will, as we have always done, provide a MAIL OUT PACKAGE, including all Race results and Ace pigeon Award results, financial account and summary and hopefully a cheque, diploma or medal at the conclusion of all events, TO EVERY PERSON who has entered the EMPIRE CLASSIC ONE LOFT. We will provide our first inventory about June 20th when all birds are settled and flying out of the loft. Subsequent inventories will be posted, the training results will also serve as an inventory. AUCTION OF RACE BIRDS: The first 5 birds in the EMPIRE CLASSIC 200, the first 25 birds in the EMPIRE CLASSIC 310 and the first 10 birds in the EMPIRE CLASSIC MARATHON 380 and the first 3 Empire Classic Triple Crown Ace Pigeons or if there is no EMPIRE MARATHON 380, the first 3 birds in the EMPIRE ACE PIGEON AWARD will be auctioned on the internet and the net proceeds will be paid out as follows: 40% to owner, 40% to handler and 20% to the Cancer Society. Please note: Owners of auction birds will be required to provide an acceptable pedigree, anyone not providing a pedigree when required will forfeit their share (40%) of the net auction proceeds, their proceeds will go to the Cancer Society. The auction will take place after the Empire Classic Marathon 380 which means the top 5 birds in the Empire Classic 200 and the top 25 birds in the Empire Classic 310 are eligible to enter the Empire Classic Marathon 380 and will then be placed in the auction if they return from all races. All additional birds will be returned to their owners, if desired, at the owners expense. Birds not claimed will be removed at the discretion of Empire Classic organizers. NOTE: Entry and pool money from Canadian fanciers will only be accepted in CANADIAN funds and payouts to Canadians will be in CANADIAN FUNDS. Entry and pool money from AMERICAN fanciers will be accepted in AMERICAN FUNDS and prize payouts to American fanciers will be paid out in AMERICAN FUNDS after the proper dollar value conversion is done. Please note that checks received from American fanciers in American funds must meet or exceed the value required in Canadian dollars. We now have an AMERICAN BANK ACCOUNT in which we can now deposit USA checks in American funds and we can write prize checks to American winners in American dollars. NOTE: If the owner of any 5 Bird Team entry does not have a bird available for the 2012 EMPIRE CLASSIC 310 you get a FREE 5 Bird Team entry for the 2013 Empire Classic (you pay 2013 perch fee and applicable taxes only). This credit is only available if there is a 2013 Empire Classic. Please note, in six years running our race we have only had to provide a total of three (3) free teams. *******PLEASE NOTE: We are a legal, registered business called "EMPIRE CLASSIC". We abide by all Canadian laws, as such, we declare our profits as income and pay income tax on those profits. ALL registered businesses must, by law, collect HST or GST if the business has a GROSS ANNUAL REVENUE of $30,000 or more. Anyone in Canada not collecting HST or GST is breaking the law. After lengthy conversations with Revenue Canada I know exactly what is required of the EMPIRE CLASSIC regarding collecting taxes. Only a few Provinces have switched to HST (Harmonized Sales Tax), Ontario is one of those Provinces, others have kept the old system by not combining the PST (Provincial Sales Tax) and the GST (Goods and Services Tax), Alberta, for example, is one of those Provinces that have kept the Taxes separate. On top of all this the amount of tax, HST, GST and PST may also vary from Province to Province. What does this mean to Empire Classic and you?? Even though our business, EMPIRE CLASSIC resides in Ontario, if birds are sent to me from another Province I must charge the tax that is applicable to that Province. If the bird entry is coming from a Province that has HST (combined GST & PST) I must collect the HST that is applicable to that Province. If the bird entry is coming from a Province that has not establish an HST and has not combined the GST and PST than I charge the GST ONLY. For this reason entries WILL NOT include perch fee taxes since they vary from Province to Province. I also inquired about our entries from America, American entries will pay at the Ontario rate which is HST at 13% on the team perch fee ($375) only. DIRECTIONS to EMPIRE FARM: Travelers from the west take 401 and exit 497 (The Big Apple), turn south to the village of Colborne and turn east on Hwy 2. Travel 7 km on Hwy 2 to Hunt Rd, turn south on Hunt Rd to 184. Travelers from the east take 401 and exit 509 (Hwy 30), turn south into the village of Brighton and turn west on Hwy 2. Travel 6 km on Hwy 2 to Hunt Rd, turn south on Hunt Rd to 184. PLEASE NOTE: If you are using GPS directions you must use CRAMAHE as the city instead of Brighton. PLACES to STAY during the CLASSIC: A variety of accommodations are available for our out of town guest. There are a number of excellent “Bed and Breakfast” establishments as well as a small motel in the immediate area. About ½ hour away are a selection of larger hotels. For the camping enthusiast the Presqu’ile Provincial Park is nearby. If you need more info give us a call. Our parking area at Empire Farm can also accommodate motor homes, campers and tents, if anyone wants to stay right at the site of the Empire Classic you can. Portable toilets and sinks are onsite but there are no electrical hookups. PLEASE no pets if staying at EMPIRE FARM. ADDITIONAL NOTES: 1) The Empire Classic birds WILL NOT be darkened, they will be kept on the natural system. 2) The Empire Classic 200, Empire Classic 310 & Empire Marathon 380 are 2 day races unless we get over 50% on the day in which case they will be one day races. If there are no birds home in 2 days the race will be extended another day and continue extending by one day at a time until we get at least one bird home. When we do get a bird home the race will stay open until 11 pm on the day the first bird returns. PLEASE NOTE: If all birds are lost for any reason your perch fee ($75 plus applicable taxes per bird) will not be refunded. This includes loss of your birds through health, thief, fire etc or any "Act of God". If the 2012 Empire Classic 200 and Empire Classic 310 are cancelled for any reason your capitol entry (less perch fee and applicable taxes) payment (without interest) will be returned to you. If we race the EMPIRE CLASSIC 200 but not the EMPIRE CLASSIC 310 a portion of your capitol NET entry cost will be returned to you. The amount of the portion returned will be at the sole discretion of Jim McInnes. NOTE: The EMPIRE CLASSIC organizers will settle any disputes that may arise and their decision will be final. The EMPIRE CLASSIC organizers reserve the right to prohibit any individual or group of individuals from participation in the Empire Classic. All birds entered in the Empire Classic One Loft will be considered the property of the person entering the birds, any dispute regarding ownership of the birds must be settled by the person entering the birds and the rightful owner, Empire Classic organizers are not responsible for settling ownership issues. Judy and Jim McInnes, Empire Farm WILL NOT have birds competing in the EMPIRE CLASSIC ONE LOFT.
Help us make the 7TH Annual EMPIRE CLASSIC a tremendous success! "RESERVE YOUR PERCH NOW!.....NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED"
Your hosts, Judy and Jim McInnes. OUR EMPIRE CLASSIC FRIENDS
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