Koi damaged in shipping

[Eugeneg]

I would like to know how koi are judged when damaged in shipping ,are there any guidelines for this situation ?
Thanks in advance
Regards
Eugene

[schildkoi]

Transport damage is overlooked during judging. The key is trying to determine what is and what is not "transport damage." Active infection is not transport damage. Any signs of healing would also eliminate transport damage. The injury must appear "fresh". Often times the bencher will inform the judges of how the koi looked at the time of benching as well. Its a judgement call and set up in favor of the koi whenever possible.

Steve

[Bern]

Same over here too.

rgds
Bern

[JoeW]

I agree with Steve that it is a judgement call and in favor of the koi up to a point. Many judges will overlook damage, however, if the damage is disfiguring many judges would not move the koi up to highest awards. Same with ACKA award which goes to a photogenic specimen for Koi of the Year contest photo.

[Eugeneg]

[quote=schildkoi;109039]Transport damage is overlooked during judging. The key is trying to determine what is and what is not "transport damage." Active infection is not transport damage. Any signs of healing would also eliminate transport damage. The injury must appear "fresh". Often times the bencher will inform the judges of how the koi looked at the time of benching as well. Its a judgement call and set up in favor of the koi whenever possible.

Steve
It is not often that you can see a true GC quality koi in the US . Well I saw one that just came in all stressed out with obvious tail damage that looked as though it was out of the water during shipping in a bag . The next day the fish recovered and it really showed of its real quality in every aspect . I looked at it numerous times and compared it to the other fish but none came close . Since the fish did not get any recognition it was desqualified as a damaged fish wrongly or the judges had difficulty recognising true quality or a combination of both . This fish certainly did not have anything going in its favour .
That is why I asked . What really baffles me is that sureley one of the judges should have seen the merits of this fish and brought it to the attention of the others .
Now it is I who is a poor judge or the judges in this perticular case . I would like to hear if it is acceptable to differ from the judges .
Regards
Eugene

[dick benbow]

As Steve mentioned it is a judgement call. For most sports enthusiasts, we see officials, refs, etc make what looks to us like a wrong call but they have to call them as they see em. They're not perfect. No one is.

I was humbled one little league baseball season, when we were short umps and i went to school and became one to fill in. Not easy on that side of the call as a former manager. It taught me a good lesson to accept what has been called right or wrong. I have also been on the other side of the fence on koi shows.

I think what's important is to have the good graces to accept a decision in a style that adds credibility to your opinion of disagreement. Class* would be the word to discribe it.

Like the old experience credited to the American Indian...It helps to walk a mile in their Moccasins.....

Many of our readers probably have no specific idea of which you talk. some of us do.
The owner of said koi in question could best be discribed as having it*

[luke frisbee]

Explain how the decision concerning the Size one Winner and the Size Two winner as to which would become Baby Champion. Please.
I understand "damage" was an issue there.

[RayJordan]

Maybe this will help regarding judging a koi with what is thought to be transport damage.

If the damage is minor and felt that the odds are it will heal with little or minimum permament damage it is likely to be disregarded depending on the judges decision at the time. Some examples might be:
Missing scale, split fin, ammonia burned fin edges, smaller dinged areas with no signs of infection.

If the damage is more significant and felt that the odds are it will suffer permament damage it is likely to be given demerits and not considered for a major award. Some examples might be:
Large area of missing scales, broken leading ray or dorsal or pec fin, Larger and more major damage to koi.

Remember that a koi show is a beauty contest within a fish husbantry contest. So damage on the head or shoulder of a koi is more in your face than on low on the sides or near the tail.

[schildkoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by luke frisbee Explain how the decision concerning the Size one Winner and the Size Two winner as to which would become Baby Champion. Please. I understand "damage" was an issue there.

Sure Luke,
Although you could have participated in the Tank Talk last Sunday morning and had a better visual comparison. You want the lomng or short version Luke? The short version is that none of the other judges saw the leading ray on your Kohaku. I did. It did not appear to be "fresh," from transport. In Ray's explanation above he stated:

Quote: If the damage is more significant and felt that the odds are it will suffer permament damage it is likely to be given demerits and not considered for a major award. Some examples might be: Large area of missing scales, broken leading ray or dorsal or pec fin, Larger and more major damage to koi.

Now, if you want the longer version, you may want to send me an email.

Steve

[Eugeneg]

Quote: Originally Posted by RayJordan Maybe this will help regarding judging a koi with what is thought to be transport damage. If the damage is minor and felt that the odds are it will heal with little or minimum permament damage it is likely to be disregarded depending on the judges decision at the time. Some examples might be: Missing scale, split fin, ammonia burned fin edges, smaller dinged areas with no signs of infection. If the damage is more significant and felt that the odds are it will suffer permament damage it is likely to be given demerits and not considered for a major award. Some examples might be: Large area of missing scales, broken leading ray or dorsal or pec fin, Larger and more major damage to koi. Remember that a koi show is a beauty contest within a fish husbantry contest. So damage on the head or shoulder of a koi is more in your face than on low on the sides or near the tail.

The above is a perfect explanation both for entrants and judges as well as all interested .
Now I understand .
Thank you
Regards
Eugene