Jan en Karen den Haan

Friendly, sympathetic, helpful. But above all real pigeon people with heart for their feathered friends and the sport in general. That is Jan and Karen den Haan. The man-wife tandem that gave pigeon sport a kind of magic with their ‘Rovers’. And since 2000 they focussed pure and alone on young bird racing. Time to introduce Jan and Karen. 

Karen den Haan is trendsetter in pigeon land, where a woman’s hand is capable of performing miracles. In an illustrious line with a/o Marijke Vink and Nadia Houben she takes a prominent position. “I look at the pigeons as my babies,” says Karen. “With the young team I always had a special relation. They are always very tame and therefore I am convinced they do not even need a partner as youngster or must be raced on widowhood system; the boss is their motivation. Handling pigeons is still the most beautiful thing in our sport.”

For many year Jan and Karen belong to the elite in the iron combine Kuststrook (means: Coastline). Where Jan’s role is mainly managing. “I’m forced to,” he explains. “We owned a painting-company for many years, unfortunately it damaged my bronchial tubes in such a way, the doctor forbid me to enter the lofts. But my long experience and Karen’s love for the pigeons is a golden combination. Together they enjoy the sport daily. We consider lifting our Verbart strain to exceptional highs by well considered crossing as a continuing challenge.