Newbie to site looking for opinions....

[maryland_ponder]

I am new here but i have been a ponder for about 12 years. I have never entered any of my fish in any shows but I would like to try it & see how they would fare. I would appreciate any comments on my fish pertaining to their worthyness as possible koi show entries. I appreciate your comments or critiques in advance. Heres the website with the pics below. Thanks, rg.


http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1ksem/index.html

[aquitori]

IMHO, the Kohaks have the best chance at a show. Some of the Kawarigoi might do well. You never know until you bring it out. Plus, a koi show is a learning experience where your fish stand to others.

[dinh]

Any dog has its day, so does koi..... it's hard to guess these fish until the show....

Welcome to the KB board. This is a nice forum and for sure it is one of the best...

--Dinh

Quote: Originally Posted by maryland_ponder I am new here but i have been a ponder for about 12 years. I have never entered any of my fish in any shows but I would like to try it & see how they would fare. I would appreciate any comments on my fish pertaining to their worthyness as possible koi show entries. I appreciate your comments or critiques in advance. Heres the website with the pics below. Thanks, rg. http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1ksem/index.html

[JosephandGabby]

I'm not an expert, but from what little I know I'd agree that your kohakus probably have the best chance of doing well in a show...

[koifishgirl]

Yeah, they look good, take pic # 31,35,40 but that is just my personal liking

[dick benbow]

welcome to our board
Many shows have a novice class for first time entrees that you ought to consider. This will give you an opportunity to learn how to prepare, pack, Qt and return to your pond you koi. An excercise that everyone must learn to do well. The better at it you get the better your koi respond to being shown!

While there you'll get an opportunity to see what the judges considered top class koi and compare how yours will do the following year as your rookie status will be gone!

Judging from the looks of your koi, they are happy, welll cared for and speak well for you as a water keeper.
I think your next challenge will be to begin learning what pattern criteria the judges are looking for so that you can begin to refine your purchases to meet those standards. ( this takes me back a few decades when i announced to my wife I was buying just one 'show fish" LOL) I've been at it close to 3 decades
and i'm still learning!!!!! ( we all are so you'll be in good company here!)

[Ryan S.]

The first kohaku has the best chance. Kohaku and Kawairmono are tougher classes to compete in. Have you looked into joining MAKC (Mid-Atlantic Koi Club), that would be a good place to start learning more as well as here on the forums. They put out a newsletter and host shows in your area.

[aquitori]

I am with Ryan S. in that you should check out the MAKC club. You will be in good hands on your journey of Nishikigoi. I myself have yet to join a club, I have to admit that my first 4 years was hard, but my wanting to learn I made myself do it by myself with Kevin and Tom Lai as my mentors...I look at it now I strongly suggest joining a club.

[Ryan S.]

MAKC.com. Membership includes entry (which just about pays for the membership fee in savings) to KoiAmerica which they put on every 2 years, typically the biggest koi show in the US, usually in Chantilly, VA. I'm a member.

[MikeM]

Hey, Maryland: I do not see a winner in a highly competitive show like KoiAmerica, but you could well take an award in a local area show. It is all about who shows up with what. There are folks on this board who have been showing koi for a very long time. I think they'd all tell you that they never learned so much about their own fish until they entered their first show. But, a warning! It is dangerous. You can get hooked on it. In no time you are wanting higher quality fish and become eager to drive for hours to get to a show. Golf widows and koi widows have a lot in common.

Welcome to K-B. Hope you hang around.