Most Prestigious show in Continental U.S.?

[luke frisbee]

JG.
there are alot of good people ...there are some good people on KP.

and i think the Epher could become a great asset to the E-koimunity.

[luke frisbee]

Tim C

OOPS
edit: just checked and Fort Knox ain't in Tennessee so my Joke about where the Epher would have chosen for the show isn't as funny

[aquitori]

Not alot of people have seen a great show. The show is about the fish not the hobbyist. As Grant Fujita always says, "You dont bring a ugly lady to a beauty show to compete"....I think with the boards promoting more show it will get the "newbies" out to experience shows and no you dont need a fist full of dollars to compete in size 1-5...

[junglegeorge12]

the smaller sizes are much cheaper to compete in. But the travel expenses to the show are the same.


The grand ol opry prices will wilt alot of wallets all by itself. Flying that far to stay in a tent just does not seem sensible. Unless the epher is paying travel expenses. I will need a suite for 3 with 3 round trip airline tickets to SJU (San Juan Int), two adults one child. I want a jacuzzi tub too Epher, don't think I am going to let you off cheap. Just pm me when Epher has the tickets and paid hotel reservations in hand and I will send him my mailing address. If he pays, I promise not to argue with val the whole weekend and to just enjoy myself.
I think to determine 'prestige' we need to clarify what we define as a prestigous show. People's definitions may vary. What makes a prestigious show to you aquitori?

My wife and I have been involved in large music and church type events for decades. Alot of what folks think is 'presitgious' stuff is just in the eye of the beholder. Some of the most 'prestigious' names and groups are really people with no honor or sense of real virtue and class. They operate like selfish, arrogant, manipulative little devils. Other have real class, and it shows in how they treat the small guys and those who have had rough pasts. So for me, prestige has to be way more than just turning out a large crowd. Anyone with an effective PR vehicle can turn out large crowds.

So I think we need to each share what our personal definition of prestige is. Then discuss the different shows in that light.

[aquitori]

To me the Mid-West needs something like the "Memphis" show to boost the hobby abit, alot of self proclaimed newbies who haven't shown should show. That show is kinda far for people to travel from the West Coast and plus the health of any koi is the priority. I only do shows in the California because the koi community is big here anyways there is no need to travel outside. This past show we went to we pretty much went in a group to help support Nancy and the cost went down abit.

"Pretigous": something of grand stature...

There is only one show like that in California and that is the ZNA Gardena Show...The show is now goin close to 30 years...Since I have been in the hobby all I heard was the Gardena Show and the level of competition that is there. I for one have yet to go there, but you hear of it like a legend and confirm with those who have and it is true. ZNA Gardena is our "All-Japan" of the West Coast like the MAKC Show is for the East Coast.

All in all koi shows should be fun and should be a learning experience for those who want to further their hobby in Nishikigoi. It's always true that you do this hobby for yourself and only when you take this hobby too serious it no longer becomes fun.

Quote: Originally Posted by junglegeorge12 the smaller sizes are much cheaper to compete in. But the travel expenses to the show are the same. The grand ol opry prices will wilt alot of wallets all by itself. Flying that far to stay in a tent just does not seem sensible. Unless the epher is paying travel expenses. I will need a suite for 3 with 3 round trip airline tickets to SJU (San Juan Int), two adults one child. I want a jacuzzi tub too Epher, don't think I am going to let you off cheap. Just pm me when Epher has the tickets and paid hotel reservations in hand and I will send him my mailing address. If he pays, I promise not to argue with val the whole weekend and to just enjoy myself. I think to determine 'prestige' we need to clarify what we define as a prestigous show. People's definitions may vary. What makes a prestigious show to you aquitori? My wife and I have been involved in large music and church type events for decades. Alot of what folks think is 'presitgious' stuff is just in the eye of the beholder. Some of the most 'prestigious' names and groups are really people with no honor or sense of real virtue and class. They operate like selfish, arrogant, manipulative little devils. Other have real class, and it shows in how they treat the small guys and those who have had rough pasts. So for me, prestige has to be way more than just turning out a large crowd. Anyone with an effective PR vehicle can turn out large crowds. So I think we need to each share what our personal definition of prestige is. Then discuss the different shows in that light.

[schildkoi]

You can look at this in a number of ways. First, I do not think anyone can argue that the ZNA SoCal show is the most prestigeous annual show in the US, followed closely by San Diego. I'd throw a couple of shows no one else has mentioned into the mix as well, OKC and San Antonio (with Central Florida) into the next tier.

Koi America on the years that it is held, jumps into that first tier as well.

Then there are the shows that jump up into that first tier simply because of "special events". Phoenix a few years back when Toshio Sakai judged and Peter Waddington benched is such an example. The First US Open show a few years back in the Bay area and the All Bay area show next year are examples as I would classify the Koiphen Koi Nationals.

For those that think California has the monopoly on great Koi, I suggest that ya'll need to get out more. No doubt, Califonia DOES have great Koi. But ask a few of the judges out there about the Koi they see elsewhere, like Texas and Oklahoma (along with the rest of the country). Like Tom C, The boys in Texas have one of the best Koi collections I have ever seen. I can name a few others outside of California with incredible collections as well.

Just my thoughts

Steve

[aquitori]

Alot of the prestige back then came from the hobbyist who showed, the Duke Nguyen's, the Lansing's, the Grunden's...etc...these are the names I grew in the hobby with and wish I could be...These hobbyist have long gone into the private hobbyist mode and no longer show and some who are very active in their club still. It was very sad to hear the Monis's who are one of the most famous hobbyist on the show scene here in California quit the hobby...Alot of new shows will have their day, but it is up to the people running the show to keep it consistant each year.

Quote: Originally Posted by schildkoi You can look at this in a number of ways. First, I do not think anyone can argue that the ZNA SoCal show is the most prestigeous annual show in the US, followed closely by San Diego. I'd throw a couple of shows no one else has mentioned into the mix as well, OKC and San Antonio (with Central Florida) into the next tier. Koi America on the years that it is held, jumps into that first tier as well. Then there are the shows that jump up into that first tier simply because of "special events". Phoenix a few years back when Toshio Sakai judged and Peter Waddington benched is such an example. The First US Open show a few years back in the Bay area and the All Bay area show next year are examples as I would classify the Koiphen Koi Nationals. For those that think California has the monopoly on great Koi, I suggest that ya'll need to get out more. No doubt, Califonia DOES have great Koi. But ask a few of the judges out there about the Koi they see elsewhere, like Texas and Oklahoma (along with the rest of the country). Like Tom C, The boys in Texas have one of the best Koi collections I have ever seen. I can name a few others outside of California with incredible collections as well. Just my thoughts Steve

[Tom C]

Quote: First, I do not think anyone can argue that the ZNA SoCal show is the most prestigeous annual show in the US, followed closely by San Diego.

Steve for CA I think you are right with the ZNA show. But followed closely by San Diego? I wouldn't say that anymore. A lot of the top hobbyest don't show at it anymore. I would rather spend the day at the Koi Kichi show if I was going to see great koi.

I have heard a lot about other shows. I would love to be able to go to some of them. I have heard the OKC is one hell of a show along with others.

As for the best koi in the US, I don't know if I would say CA has the best. We have a lot of top hobbyest with some outstanding koi. The nice thing about CA and FL we get to enjoy our ponds all year around. If I could only see one pond in the US, I would visit Dan and Gene's pond. From what I have seen from pictures they have one of the best collection of koi right now. Years ago I would have said Tom Lansing, both of these ponds are not in CA.

[kingkong]

Prestigious- exerting influence by reason of high status or prestige. High standing achieved through success or influence or wealth. Commanding position in people's minds.
OK, enough of that dry junk. To me, a pres Show must have some of the following if not all.
Plenty of commercial and amateur koi people from USA and around the World.

Display hundreds of the most perfect koi ever seen.

Special preview and party with special events.

Learn the tradition of koi by Masters and be able to see local farms.

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by kingkong Prestigious- exerting influence by reason of high status or prestige. High standing achieved through success or influence or wealth. Commanding position in people's minds. OK, enough of that dry junk. To me, a pres Show must have some of the following if not all. Plenty of commercial and amateur koi people from USA and around the World. Display hundreds of the most perfect koi ever seen. Special preview and party with special events. Learn the tradition of koi by Masters and be able to see local farms.

I think you have everything the All-Japan Shows are about.....