Let me explain the origin of the name, "Turned Luck". My lifelong trade has been as a farrier, probably better known as a blacksmith or horseshoer. As part of my occupation, it is often necessary to hand forge specialty shoes for horses. The trade term for hand forging a shoe is "turning a shoe", because you turn the steel on your anvil to create the shoe. As we all know horseshoes are a sign of good luck, so I just combined the action and the belief to come up with name "Turned Luck."

   This actually has a little more meaning to me personally as I feel one creates their own luck and it is all in what you make of it. So I keep that in mind as I work with my livestock. It is all what I make of it and I leave nothing to luck.

- American Show Racers -

ASRA 06 National Champion

Bred by Ralph and Ron Whitson

     In the late summer of 2007 the pigeon hobby came full circle for me; I acquired several pair of American Show Racers.  Now this isn't the first time I have had this breed.  This was actually my first serious breed which I had from my late teens until early twenties; back in the early to mid eighties.

     My original stock then came from Gus Ramm and Amos Hodson.  I showed with the now defunct Maryland Show Racer Club, mostly at Baltimore's Hamilton Pigeon Racing Club.  Due to my age I didn't travel far and my only other shows were around the York, PA area.  I did reasonably well for my age and what I had.  Because of the division in the breed at the time - East coast vs. West coast. I gave them up after a few years.  They were never far from mind though and anytime I showed my Rollers at an all breed show, as soon as my birds were put up I was off looking for the ASRs.

     Several times I came close to purchasing a few pair.  But I was never much for working two breeds at a time so I  would regain my self control and pass.  Just recently I stumbled upon a few pair of Richard Brooks birds being sold by a third party and since I had sold my family of Show Rollers, they really peaked my interest.  There seemed to be a few nice ones in there  I bought the lot.  This really put the fever back into me.

     So the hobby has come full circle for me and I am back as a breeder of American Show Racers.  I plan to breed the standard colors as well as work on some of the seldom seen.  Amongst my stock are genes for Brown, Indigo, Fade, Recessive Opal, Dilute and I plan to start a big project - adding Recessive Reds.  I will post the progress of this project here on the site.

- American Show Rollers -

NSRA 99 3904  Blue Check Mark Cock

1999 URCA/PRC National Champion

1999 Breeder Cup Classic Champion

     My Show Roller family started in 1989 with select breeding stock from nationally recognized URCA / PRC Master Breeder George Petro.  A bird each from the lofts of Master Breeders Merle "Ed" Emerson, Roger Besemer and Bob Evertson were also added as outcrosses.  I have  maintained and improved that stock into a National Champion producing family.

     This family has produced 5 URCA/PRC National Champions and 11 Reserve National Champions, plus numerous District Champions and reserves since 1987. **This includes a hiatus from showing on any level during 2003 - 2006 due to my health.

URC 02 P 265 Dark Tort Mark Hen

2002 URCA/PRC YB National Champion

2002 URCA/PRC/WRC District Champion

2002 Breeder Cup Classic 2nd Reserve

     In only 4 showings at the NSRA Breeder Cup Classic, they have also produced 2 NSRA Breeder Cup Classic winners, a Reserve Cup Classic winner and a 2nd Reserve Cup Classic winner.  The Cup Classic is a futurity show limited to 10 YBs. Once a bird is placed in the top three the rest of the team is eliminated from the competition, therefore only allowing one top 3 placement per year.

    I believe this is one of the top families in the country.  They win for me wherever shown and when handled properly they win for others.  This family has not only won all over the country, but has won under judges from all over the country.  Several years ago I made the decision to only enter my family of Show Rollers in National level shows, so I my boast less wins than some but I consider them quality wins.

     Unfortunately for several personal reasons I decided in the spring of 2007 to give up my family of Show Rollers.  The pigeon hobby has closed one chapter for me but opened up to another.