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Hwong, that is a good and wise point. A koi show is many things- a classroom for learning, a competition, an exhibition for public awareness and a fraternal event where fellow koi kichi meet once a year to discuss their charges with one another.
In the case of those dwelling on care as a prime criteria for credibility-- This is one dimension of the show- as a learning experience and something to be discussed among friends who know the fish. I can tell you, as a ZNA judge ( where these kinda things do count), that we acknowledge fish with high luster and high health. It is not a direct score however but it is something that goes into every great show fish and can certainly be a ‘tie breaker’ in difficult decisions. But in most cases, it is ,unfortunately, really only deducted for. Meaning, if a koi is poorly cared for - it shows and it counts. The expectation is that all the show fish will shine like show fish. So whether a breeder put the finishing touches on a fish or the owner, it is not able to be determined/ assessed and therefore is not part of the judging. You all should also know that first rate ringers ARE pampered and well cared for fish. So if they hit water that is sub par- especially if they are large fish- they react very badly and go down hill very quickly. A loss of volume and a yellowing of skin, along with a drop in luster cells is a very very common outcome of moving a jumbo off site in Japan, onto a plane and then into strange water in another country. We all have our challenges in this game- no one gets a free pass.
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