To show or not to show?

[aquitori]

Why are there fewer hobbyist not showing fish? What is it that isnt getting hobbyist to show their fish?

[Brutuscz]

#1...Fear of KHV or SVC. What can we say...scares the heck out of all of us.

[Nancy M.]

Quote: Originally Posted by aquitori Why are there fewer hobbyist not showing fish? What is it that isnt getting hobbyist to show their fish?

I know the answer to that one Tonio, Jealousy, envy, life being threatened.

Ok, now I will be serious, I think a lot of the high end hobbiest have quit showing due to Politics. People get very angry if one person wins to many awards, they say they bought the show, they got more money than me and it is not fare. They brought in the ringer. Etc Etc.. They get tired of all the BS, so they become private hobbiest.

[maryland_ponder]

you could be like me & have no fish worth showing lol!

[dick benbow]

I'd like to comment on the other end of the spectrum. The newbees. What keeps them from entering shows is ignorance, Because they don't know how to do all what is needed leading up to the show and after, they tend not to be involved. This is where the clubs come in. Seminars prior to shows that demonstrate how to handle koi, net and bag. How to care for them upon their return. If you were a newbee and a club had a team the day of the entry that could come out and show/assist etc what that would mean to someone wanting to get started. ( air? what newbee has a bottle ) I think it would make a difference. A club or hobby can only survive as well as it attracts and serves new members.

as for politics, buying trophies etc, that's a concern all over in any hobby. I think the current trend to have a "B" GC is an excellent idea to give others a chance for a special award outside of the gosanke crowd. Awards where koi keepers obtain brothers and sisters from one breeder and then raise them is a tremendous opportunity to show off skills where all the playing field tends to be on the same level for everyone.

I think if everyone who shows koi goes with an unselfish attitude to allow the public in general to appreciate the beauty of the koi and experience how relaxing this hobby is in a stressful world, then you have won the hearts of others which is far more vaulable than a paper certificate or trophy to gather dust on someone's display case.

[Sangreaal]

What will keep me from showing is the newbee thing--I don't know how to prepare a koi for show, to transport and keep the koi at show and during transportation. I don't know anything about shows, never been to one, and furthermore, won't be able to go to any that are further away than Sacramento or possibly the Bay Area. This means I'll only have a once a year opportunity to do so.

I'd sure like to show a couple at the Sac show and I'll be researching and reading everything I can find on the whole process, but if I am in the least unconfident in doing it alone I won't be going and putting my koi through hell as I traverse the learning curve.

Marie

[KoiCop]

I'd suggest the path Dick recommended -- join your local club and they'll show you the ropes.

Nothing to fear, here. Come on in -- the water's fine!

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow I'd like to comment on the other end of the spectrum. The newbees. What keeps them from entering shows is ignorance, Because they don't know how to do all what is needed leading up to the show and after, they tend not to be involved. This is where the clubs come in. Seminars prior to shows that demonstrate how to handle koi, net and bag. How to care for them upon their return. If you were a newbee and a club had a team the day of the entry that could come out and show/assist etc what that would mean to someone wanting to get started. ( air? what newbee has a bottle ) I think it would make a difference. A club or hobby can only survive as well as it attracts and serves new members. as for politics, buying trophies etc, that's a concern all over in any hobby. I think the current trend to have a "B" GC is an excellent idea to give others a chance for a special award outside of the gosanke crowd. Awards where koi keepers obtain brothers and sisters from one breeder and then raise them is a tremendous opportunity to show off skills where all the playing field tends to be on the same level for everyone. I think if everyone who shows koi goes with an unselfish attitude to allow the public in general to appreciate the beauty of the koi and experience how relaxing this hobby is in a stressful world, then you have won the hearts of others which is far more vaulable than a paper certificate or trophy to gather dust on someone's display case.

Very good points Dick, shows really need new hobbyist to show their fish.

[Tamianth]

Some of us don't have a local club though! Cost of gas is a killer also at the moment for any distance drives to boot for me. I want to see what goes on at a show first, though, excuse the pun, I have pondered the idea. And I do have longfins to boot. There's the forms which seem a bit intimidating to those of us who have never filled them out before too! So there's something else that needs taught also to newbies. Like Sangreal, it may be a once a year thing for me if I wanted to! There's a lot of good points here in this thread as to whys though!

[Mobert]

I think it is stressful for the fish to go to a show. I enjoy my fish and I just want them to be happy. Winning at a show would not benefit the fish one bit.