Assembled this past weekend with representatives from two area clubs from eastern Washingto State to review changes in a group of 7 study koi. The koi, all bred by Toshio Sakai were broken down into grades and included a true tategoi. At 8-10 inches they arrived the spring of 2006, 3 sanke ( a,aa,aaa grades) and 4 showa in similar grades including tategoi.
Each spring and fall the koi have been photoed and measured and comments noted about pattern changes. The koi have been all raised in the same water and same food at the hands of Sharon and Dan Olson
This past weekend was the 5th of 6 events which will culminate this fall as Toshio Sakai himself comments on the final results at the 24th annual PNKCA event in September.
The group, 18 collectively held a judging review of the sanke and showa separately as well as select the best from both groups. Sharon Olson and myself reviewed the papers and offered our selections as judges. In true judging standards, Sharon and I did not agree on each selection, but Sharon was quick to announce she was head judge and that while she appreciated my input what she announced would be final
This was a funny moment in what has been a serious effort to bring education to a serious group of koi kichii's. This group is encouraging Dan and Shoron who did an excellent job of rearing these koi to consider getting another group of koi next spring ( perhaps shiro utsuri and kohaku so that sumi and beni can be reviewed singularly as opposed to collectively as the first study group.)
At this age coming out of winter, the group grew minimally but now the body shape was beginning to become the dominant feature.
The group was joined by Henry and Karen Nichols who drove and flew all the way from The very west coast of the olympic penninsula to the opposite end of the state.
It was my priviledge as koi coach to facilitate the study group for 5 of the six gatherings. I encourage all clubs to consider such an effort as so much can be learned from the effort
06-23-2008
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