Friendship Awards...

[aquitori]

Should friendship awards be awarded to hobbyist who havent won anything in a show?

[Cody Turtle]

Isn't the point of a friendship award that a different club or the same club can select another koi that they considered worthy of recognition?

Quote: Originally Posted by aquitori Should friendship awards be awarded to hobbyist who havent won anything in a show?

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cody Turtle Isn't the point of a friendship award that a different club or the same club can select another koi that they considered worthy of recognition?

It is usually an award given to a Koi considered worthy of recognition that has not won anything.

[Campcheryl]

I would think that a Friendship Award is a decision by the club members present at the show on what fish those members liked for whatever reason. Some clubs like to "spread the wealth" so to speak and award a fish that has not won a major award. I don't believe there is a written rule about friendship awards. But there are sometimes when a fish just sweeps you off your feet.

[KoiCop]

For those who haven't been involved, it all depends on the Club giving the Friendship Award as to whether there are any requirements/restrictions.

Some clubs require that the fish not be a winner of a major award; some clubs don't require spreading it around.

Some clubs require that the fish be a gosanke; some clubs don't confine it to that elite grouping.

Some clubs require that the fish be size 4 and above; some don't restrict it by size.

Some clubs pick an annual varietal theme for their awards (like Best Asagi); most don't have a yearly theme.

Most clubs, I suspect, have no guidelines at all -- and it's OK to pick any koi that so moves them.

Just for giggles, if anyone knows whether or not their club has guidelines for selecting Friendship Awards, shout 'em out. I'll start.

ZNA SoCal:
No major winners for any club's Friendship Awards (computer software won't allow entry )
ZNA SoCal's Jimmy Inouye Award goes to Best Tank
ZNA SoCal's Charlie Sue Award goes to best Shiro Utsuri

Koi Kichi:
No major winners

[aquitori]

I remember my second show I won Young Champion, Best in Variety and First Place and this was with one fish(one fish in a 8ft show tank). Back then it felt weird winning all those things for one fish when I saw how many people had entered. Anyways, I feel the best way to "share" the wealth is to spread out those types of awards to a notible fish with no awards or a hobbyist who has won anything at the show..

[saratogatan]

Quote: Originally Posted by aquitori I remember my second show I won Young Champion, Best in Variety and First Place and this was with one fish(one fish in a 8ft show tank). Back then it felt weird winning all those things for one fish when I saw how many people had entered. Anyways, I feel the best way to "share" the wealth is to spread out those types of awards to a notible fish with no awards or a hobbyist who has won anything at the show..

Don't feel bad, it showed how good you eyes and koi keeping skill. I strongly believe there should be a 'learn from this guy/gay' award for your situation. The recipient is required to give a presentation about the bring up of that particular koi, from selection, up keeping and to the show.

stan

[KoiCop]

Tony . . .

Sharing the wealth? Hmmm . . . Sounds like some kind of pinko/commie doctrine to me.

And personally, I'm far more interested in learning what the guidelines are that the various clubs follow -- not in 'voting' on what they should be.

[MCA]

Don's comments about "some clubs..." indeed point to the fact that it is up to some representatives of the visiting club to select an individual koi, or even perhaps a tank, that they wish to acknowledge. The criteria, selection method...can and will vary by the culture of the visiting club...and maybe even the specific member who brought the award.

In the case of Koi America 2007, we did a quick list and narrowed it down to a nice tancho sanke. We verified that it has not won anything else. Then we socialized that with other club members at the show. Then we appointed Brenda Atwell to present it.

A Friendship Award is both an award towards the fish/tank owner...it is also an acknowledgement towards the hosting organization that another club supported their show. Both purposes are positive.

[schildkoi]

But I avoid all Champions and best in size winners. I then look for Non Gosankes that typically cannot compete against the Gosankes and Shiros but yet are great examples of their varieties. Although they may have won best in class, the extra award/recognition may be that extra motivation to keep people bringing these varities to the shows. Although I do love my white black and reds, having other colors there is a better educational experience for the public.

Steve