National Pigeon Association GB

NPA Challenge Certificates have been issued by the NPA since the 1950’s. These certificates are the fabric of our shows and they form part of the reason we compete at our Championship and Breed/Umbrella Club shows throughout the season; October to January.

Our committee and our members cherish these awards and seek to make our prize pigeons into an NPA Champion. To become a Champion pigeon, a bird needs to win 5 certificates from 4 different judges and only two certs as a young bird.

How do we become a show that can issue NPA Certificates or achieve Championship Status?

There are many expectations of Clubs and Societies in order to gain and maintain Championship Status; we will outline the basics here.

Challenge certificates are mainly issued at our recognised Championship Open Shows, in addition to this Championship status may also be granted to specialist or Umbrella shows which elect to hold their Annual Club Show away from these recognised shows. (see Rule B2)

Once approved; applications for Certificates should be made at least 3 months before your show date. You should notify the secretary of your proposed show date, enclosing a draft schedule. Each year every championship show must submit these details and any change of date must be applied for, giving reasons.

Your schedule should contain your choice of judges, to maintain a high standard these should come from the breed club, either via the secretary or taken from our judges list. For those clubs that struggle to get judges within their area then the two from one section rule can be used, as can the judge’s guidance form which can all be found on our website. You should also state on your application if there is to be a limit to the number of entries you can accept due to venue restrictions.

Certificates will not be approved in the absence of this information, if approved you will receive notification from our secretary along with a show pack containing your Certificates, Withheld forms, Rosettes and NPA return sheet.

Championship status comes with a level of expectation of your show;

• Applying for a DEFRA License and meeting all regulations.

• Advertising the Show in our Journal Fancy Pigeon World (B3 d)

• Make Food & Water available for all exhibits (B3 f)

• Backing Materials to all pens including ends of pens (B3 g)

• Produce a Catalogue of entries in sufficient number for judges and exhibitors (B3 j)

These conditions and rules are taken from our Rules & Constitution which have been formulated over the years by you the members, these apply to all shows being held under NPA Rules.

To assist and help with this process we have reintroduced, over the last two years, NPA Show Reps, these are either members of the committee or long standing NPA members. These people are there throughout the show day not only to check that our requirements are being met but also to offer assistance with any matter which may arise throughout the day. We are there to help and support our Championship Show secretaries so if there’s anything we can do, please do make contact.

NPA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

BLOWER	Holle Cropper All Spanish blowers Norwich Pigmy Brunner Voorburg English pouter Horseman Pomeranian Ghent Hessen Stellar Reversewing Silesian
COLOUR	Archangel Ice Fairy swallow Thuringian Breeds. Saxon Breeds
TUMBLER	LFCL Tumbler Muffed Tumbler SF Tumbler English Nun English Show Tippler Mookee Portuguese Tumbler
SHORT FACE	African Owl Oriental Frill Turbit English Owl Turbiteen
STRUCTURE	Chinese Owl Jacobin O.D Capuchine Indian Fantail Exhibition Fantail Frillback
TRUMPETER	All Trumpeter Varieties
FORM	King Modena Lahore American Show Racer
HEAD & WATTLE	Genuine Homer Exhibition Homer Show Homer German beauty Homer British Antwerp British Antwerp Smerle  English Barb Carrier Scandaroon Dragoon  English Magpie. Martham
RVPC inc AOV and Owl German Owl	Colour Starling Nuremburg lark S/G blassen Priest Suabian Gimpel S/G Moorhead S/G shield Lucerne   Tumblers Volga Lf Viennese Vienna Whiteside Dutch Highflier Old Dutch Tumbler Helmet Oriental Roller Cologne Tumbler Ancient Portuguese Posture Tumblers Amsterdam Danzig H/F. Kormoner Felegyhazer German Nun Stargard Shaker Limerick   Form, Structure & Owl German Modena Spanish Figarita Polish lynx Strasser American Giant Homer Coburg Lark Nuremburg Lark Egyptian Swift Syrian Swift French Bagdad Mondain Italian Owl Dewlap Runt
FLYERS	WEFT Show Roller Comp Roller Wolverhampton Exhibition Tippler Competition Tippler

 

(National Pigeon Association – Checklist)

1. Venue & Date

• Identify a suitable venue with adequate space, lighting, ventilation, and access.
• Agree a date with the venue and notify the NPA Committee.
• Advertise in Fancy Pigeon World, ensure affiliation is paid up to date.

2. Licensing & Compliance

• Apply for the DEFRA Bird Gathering Licence.
• Check the current Avian Influenza (AI) status and restrictions.
• Complete the required Contingency Plans.
• Contact the appointed Veterinary Surgeon (if required under licence conditions) and secure a Bird Expert for pre‑entry checks.

3. Judges & Classification

• Invite judges (letter, email, or telephone).
• Prepare a full classification including:
  • Judges’ names
  • Breeds and Colours, Cock, Hen, Adults and Young Birds
  • Class limits (if required; may need NPA approval)
  • Breed Clubs should provide information for their classes and judges, where club shows are held.
• Ensure schedules include the current AI Guidance and that exhibitors are fully aware of all requirements.

4. Schedules & Preparations

• Send out schedules to exhibitors.
• Arrange essential show materials:
  • Pens / penning contractor
  • Pen numbers
  • Prize cards and rosettes
  • Feed and Water for Pigeons
• Confirm helpers for penning, stewarding, and general show‑day support.

5. Entries & Records

• Receive entries and record them in the ledger or computer system.
• Maintain a running total of entries.
• Close entries and finalise the ledger/computer register.
• Prepare judges’ books and assemble judges’ packs (including prize cards and NPA slips).
• Produce the show catalogue.
• Reconcile Entry Fees

IMPORTANT: AI Licence Monitoring

Regularly check for changes to AI licensing requirements from the date of application until the show day. Licensing conditions are under constant review.

6. Pre‑Show Checks

• Check current AI Zones to confirm:
  • The venue is not within a restricted zone.
  • Exhibitors are not located within zones that prevent attendance.
• Set up the show hall, ensuring:
  • A designated Pre‑Check Area for Bird Expert/Vet inspections
  • A clearly marked Isolation Area

Show Morning Procedures

7. Exhibitor Arrival & Pre‑Entry Checks

All birds must be held in the designated holding area until passed by the Vet/Bird Expert.

Exhibitors must provide:

• Exhibitor Declaration
• Vaccination Certificate 
• Ring numbers of all birds exhibited

Bird Experts must:

• Review paperwork
• Conduct visual health checks
• Sign off each entry before birds enter the show hall

8. Penning & Problem Resolution

• Issue pen numbers to exhibitors.
• Resolve any issues (incorrect classes, missing pen numbers, etc.).
• Provide catalogues to judges and exhibitors.

9. Judging & Oversight

• Receive judges’ returns, including NPA awards where applicable.
• The NPA Show Representative will be present throughout the day and will carry out compliance checks.

10. Awards & Show Close

• Present awards, cups, and prizes.
• At show close, ensure:
  • All exits remain closed until all exhibitors have basketed their birds.
  • No one leaves until the hall is fully cleared.

11. Dismantling & Waste Disposal

• Dismantle the show and leave the venue clean and tidy.
• Dispose of waste materials in accordance with licence requirements.

Post‑Show Requirements

12. Returns & Record Keeping

• Complete NPA return sheets (on the day or shortly after).
• Send NPA returns and the marked‑up catalogue to the NPA Secretary.
• Store all show records safely for at least 3 months (DEFRA requirement).

13. Publication

• Publish results in Fancy Pigeon World and on the NPA website.

14. Accounts

• Pay Invoice due, Penning Contractor, Venue, Food & refreshments etc.

15. Begin Planning for the Next Show

 

And enjoy the process — the cycle begins again.

1) Please ensure that the white NPA slips are sent in to the office as soon as they have been completed in order that the certificate cards may be written out in time for your signature and then affixed to the pens before the closure of the show.

2) If your name as the judge is not the same as the one on the white slip, and it has not been corrected, please amend it as the certificate writers may not be aware that a change has been made.

3) Could we also suggest that these slips are completed as soon as you have judged the classes for which the certificate applies. For example, complete the slip for the blacks before you move on to the blues or other colours.  Experience has shown that some judges wait until they have finished judging a complete breed – or even a section.  This only results in delays when a whole batch arrives at the office in one go.

4) Please ensure that the information regarding, Ring Number, Pen Number and Colour is correct.  (Please Note: AOC is not a colour).  Any error or adjustment afterwards to the white slip or the actual certificate itself only adds to the workload of the secretarial staff.

5) Please do not leave the hall, or the show itself, without ensuring that you have:-

(a) checked that the information on the NPA certificate card is correct, and

(b) that you have added your signature.

6) A helpful judge would be happy to affix the NPA certificate cards on the appropriate pens after he/she has signed them, after all he/she would know only too well where they were situated in the hall.

7) Finally – and most importantly – if you feel that your chosen winner is not likely to end up as a champion one day, then do not give it the benefit of the doubt.
Thank you for your co-operation
John Elsdon