Those of you familiar with the Crouch will know that two years ago, we switched from an annual pure photographic competition to a “Garden Show” – A Closed Show, members of the club can enter without the hassle of taking their koi to a show ground.
For those not familiar with the format, it is as follows:
- Each member can enter up to a maximum of 6 koi
- For best in size, the competition is split into Go Sanke (which includes for this event, Tancho and Kin Gin Rin) and Non Go Sanke with all sizes being judge up to size 7 (which would be size 7+)
- The Champions are chosen from the best in size winners (with GC being excluded from all other awards)
- There are also awards for the best in variety across all 13 of the BKKS show varieties
Over two weekends in October, our judge, Keith, accompanied by the benchers, visited the 17 members who entered this year, benching, measuring, photographing and filming the 100 koi taking part.
Note, the koi are judge in the flesh on the day, as they would be in a koi show and the photos and videos are purely for his reference when checking his notes back home and, importantly, for the presentation night at our December meeting when the koi are critiqued and the results announced.
With members spread across Essex (and into Kent), visiting all the ponds in short order is no easy task, as is the subsequent collating of the koi, judging and preparation of the presentation.
A BIG shout out to Paul Allen and Burtons Aquatic Systems who provided food prizes for every winner in size, class and of course the majors – over 30 prizes! CVKS really appreciates the support.
A mention must go to several new members taking part for the first time and doing very well across the board and a very special mention to Craig for taking GC with his SFF Sanke. In addition to his food prizes, Craig was presented with a plate all the way from Japan decorated with koi.
The images that follow show all the winning koi and images from the presentation evening.
