What are the top US shows?

[dizzyfish]

All of these different shows are confusing to me. If you were a hobbyists and you only wanted to take your koi to one show, which show would bring it the most honor by winning GC. Is there a US show for dealers to compete at?
Mitch

[Bob Winkler]

What makes the "top" show to you? Different things to different people. For me, it is the # of quality koi entered, not just the # of koi. It is history, it is the judges, it is how well organized. It is the trophies...for some Nice trophies are cool.

It is hard in this country to have a truly National Show, as in Japan, UK, or Holland, among other places. The distances and resulting logistics are too great.

Some top US shows historically have included, but are most definately not limited to, ZNA Gardena, San Diego, ZNA SoCal, MAKC Koi America, San Antonio. A GC from any of those shows carries some significant weight with many long time koi keepers. There are several other "up and coming" shows, depending on who you talk to. To me, these may not have the history of the above group, but are heading in that direction. Florida, Washington, Oregon, SF Bay Area, Chicago, OKC, Denver (ok, I am biased ) come to mind. I know there are others.

Many Shows have a dealer division or competition. Some think that dealers are already competing in the hobbyist division, but that is another thread. (Ducks )

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by dizzyfish All of these different shows are confusing to me. If you were a hobbyists and you only wanted to take your koi to one show, which show would bring it the most honor by winning GC. Is there a US show for dealers to compete at? Mitch

The Shinkokai would be a show to win at since you are competeing against dealers/breeders aka the professionals.

To me if you can win at a show where the competition was fairly even regardless of how many fish were entered. If you could win at a show where the Quality of fish was high, then that would be a great honor too.

So, regardless of show name it is the level of competition you want to be at.

[dizzyfish]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bob Winkler It is hard in this country to have a truly National Show, as in Japan, UK, or Holland, among other places. The distances and resulting logistics are too great.

It might be difficult but certainly not impossible. Why not hold one somewhere in the middle of the country? I know people brought koi from quite aways to the Louisville show. I believe there were koi there from Atlanta, Florida, and even Grand Caymens. It might be sort of like that Field of Dreams thing. If you build it they will come.
Mitch

[Bob Winkler]

Umm... Interesting notion.... You may have heard of Koi Phen? Kunk.... (that was my wife hitting me )

[aquitori]

If there truely is goin to be a National Show...it would have to be a Shinkokai Show and not a koi board...hahahahaha

[Bob Winkler]

and it is harder than you think, unless one is of fairly unlimited resources and willing to throw them at a koi show..

Most of the best shows currently have people from out of state showing their koi at them. Every time. Often that is because of friendships, and also timing. Timing of where the koi are at the time of the show. ie, being imported by a dealer near the show site and date. So it is often a "regional" thing. Often the "out of Staters" are not the same people from one year to the next.

But you are talking about a horse of a different color. Mitch, have you shown your koi? At a show out of state from you, or transported there by airplane? I have. It is a pain, and dangerous. My koi came out relatively unscathed, but I lost some heart muscle and stomach lining. So I am very thankful, and have huge respect, for those who bring their koi to shows by methods like that, but many people do not. Will not. Does that make it a "National" show if some of the best koi are not there? Rhetorical Question. Because by what you wrote, that show you mention could be called a National, or even International, show.

[dizzyfish]

Bob,
I'm not sure I'm getting the joke. Is that what the Koi Phen show that got canceled in Nashville was supposed to be trying to do? I never did hear much of an explanation as why it got canceled. Can anyone enlighten?
Mitch

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by dizzyfish Bob, I'm not sure I'm getting the joke. Is that what the Koi Phen show that got canceled in Nashville was supposed to be trying to do? I never did hear much of an explanation as why it got canceled. Can anyone enlighten? Mitch

Mitch, I dont think we will ever know why the show was cancelled...

[Bob Winkler]

yes, Mitch, exactly that. A noble goal, but it imploded under the immense pressure of pulling it off. More than that is not polite to say, but I think you get the idea. It was a shame it did not come to pass, as it had a chance.