Should Judges be more active in showing fish?

[Zei Kohaku]

No JR, I’m not. I was a judge for swimming competitions and cross country horse riding. But that kind of judging is easy. You just need to have attention for faults. Judging kois is another story and I don’t know so much as that. I have a long way to run yet.
Can you tell me what kind of books must I read to know something about koi judging?
Here in Portugal there’s no Koi Shows and the hobby is beginning is first steps. I have Kois only for 7 years and everything I know was accomplished with the help of a lot of books and later with internet. Now there’s forums that is a great place to learn, if we can distinguish the people who know from the others.

Best regards
Zei Kohaku

[johnsmith]

Hi. I had a feeling you were a judge of some kind because you seemed to appreciate the responsibility that goes along with the title.

I would recommend Kodama's two books, Kokugyo 1 & 2. I would also recommend Kate McGill's book- Koi appreciation - the first step.

Best, JR

[Zei Kohaku]

Thank you, JR. I had just bought Kate McGill's book- Koi appreciation - the first step. After vacations I will buy the other books of Mamoru Kodama.

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by Zei Kohaku Thank you, JR. I had just bought Kate McGill's book- Koi appreciation - the first step. After vacations I will buy the other books of Mamoru Kodama.

Zei, one note of advise is to find someone you can confirm with in regards to what you are studying. It is one thing to read everything but it is another to apply what you have learned.

Tony

[junglegeorge12]

I think seeing more of the judge's koi would add balance and perspective to many of the things being said to hobbyists, which would aid their future selection and purchases.

I like aquitori's idea about mentors, wish we had more of them in the hobby. He has started many good threads with that aim, and hope he continues. However, as time has worn on I have also seen his point about it being 'impossible' to mentor well just on chat forums. I would rather learn to fish from someone who has done it, than someone who has read many books and visited many fisherman but never caught one. I think that goes with almost everything in life. Wish we saw more of those threads for learning started by aquitori and his friends.

[schildkoi]

At this year's AKCA judging seminar (part of AKCA seminar), a few new rules were introduced as it relates to judges. All Judges must subscribe to Koi USA (I went home and resubscribed ), All judges must have a pond of at least 1000 gallons, Judges must judge at least 1 Koi show per year (if not, they have the following year to compliance), and they must exibit Koi at least once every 2 years (not the 1 that Henry originally stated...but I could be wrong).

One thing to remember is, that a judge may also understand that they may not have a Koi "ready" to show, every year. Here in the US, we do not typically hesitate to take an unfinished Koi to a Koi show. But, doing so repeatedly, can have an affect on whether or not the Koi will finish properly as well. Many things to consider here and what has already been mentioned.

Steve Childers

[aquitori]

Judges set the standard for hobbyist when it comes to the hobby, or the "Practice what you preach" approach to the hobby.

[MikeM]

Given all the time a judge must devote to the hobby "on the road", I'm not about to criticize a decision any judge makes to minimize the frequency of showing fish. There's only so much time. Still, it's unfortunate when a judge reduces the shows they enter, simply because some of the best quality fish are owned by judges. It's all part of their commitment (obsession? ) to koi. It would be nice if we could develop ways to make it easier for them.

[HenryC]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM It would be nice if we could develop ways to make it easier for them.

You could come over and help me load up my big Koi Loading up a 32" Koi by yourself is a back breaker, but something I will continue to do until it actually does break my back.

[luke frisbee]

Henry,
I'd pay ya to let me help you. WAIT you're a judge now...Um I'd consider it an honor to...No no that sounds like I'm trying to influence...hmmm.
Henry if ya really need help i guess I could...cuz as weak as my mind is i make up for it with a strong back.
Seriously. If ya ever need someone to do a little grunt work i almost remember where you live....that is if Mike's busy.

Edit: while i was writing this, you were over on themudpond.com cutting me as hard as you could...but what i wrote above still stands.