Not too far down the line, there will be some GC's in strongly contested regional shows that were bred by domestic breeders in the USA. Brett,Mat,Brady, (to name only a few)
are getting closer every year.
If that is true, it will be quite easy to purchase a high class tosai and either raise it yourself or have it raised.I honestly don't see anything wrong with raising fish in other's mudponds. One of the best lessons I have learned along the way is to buy brother/sisters from the same parents and then bring one home and leave one there and by fall you can compare. I'm usually within an inch of comparative growth. I'm not suggesting we get into an argument over which koi is best, domestic or japanese. But I am suggesting there are ways to purchase tosai locally or from japan and have strong representation in shows. I never got GC in the decades I showed. But I was always pleased with RGC or tategoi because I worked so hard to allow the koi to get
where it got. So we have to ask ourselves " is this hobby only about winning GC " or is personal achievement and growing in the hobby. I quess that's something that will vary according to the individual.
Each class of fish has it's purpose. tateshita is a crop to help underwrite cost for the breeder and a great learning tool for those just learning the first few years to manage
a healthy sucessful pond. tategoi is the next step for thos that wish to advance in the hobby and become enamoured with the challenge of showing. According to your pocketbook, you can advance furthur with other options including buying a finished fish
for immediate entry.
I think selective tosai purchase can still allow a person to be competitive. Mike Snaden of Yume koi in the UK has coached some of his customers to purchase and raise high class tosai and has been very sucessful in getting them placed in the National in 5 years and at over 80 cm. I find that to be quite an achievement. Yes it takes knowledge and facilities
but it is being done sucessfully
