[dick benbow]

A "bumpershoot" was actually needed for the 15th annual Washington Koi and watergarden Show. Around 200 koi competed with the GC going to Dan and Sharon Olson from Spokane. In a bold move, Judges for the event took a size six kohaku and placed it above some very nice size 7 koi to become grand champion for this year's show. Reserve went to lisa and Rich street with a very proper kohaku. 3rd best koi was a beautiful sanke owner by KB's own Chris C who was show chair for this year's event.(she also took a first with a wonderful asagi named "blue".....

Air travel complications caused the judge from the UK to miss her connections and her place was nicely covered by Pat Christianson of Portland. Head Judge kentaro Sakai brought his wife and 4 year old son with him and it was wonderful for me to be able to meet them and spend some time together. last years' GC owner, Gene Gowand took baby grand honors.
Oregon judging was also upheld with the presence of Norm Call from the Roseberg area.

It was a great time to visit with many old friends including several down from Van Couver/British Columbia, Canada.

I hope someone took photos because the koi were very nice ( this is Joel B's
who posts here backyard) so many nice koi were scattered thru out the sizes including a wonderful "domestic" longfin bred right there at pan intercorp. The show layout with splash guards and proper distance between tanks was the best i had seen this year so kudos to the show staff.