THE 10th SOUTH OF ENGLAND CHAPTER NISHIKIGOI SHOW 2004

The ZNA South of England Chapter (S.E.K.C.) staged its tenth open show on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August 2004 at a new venue. The show this year was held in the grounds of West Hill Park School, Titchfield, near Fareham.  The event was promoted by Koi Ponds and Gardens magazine.

The school grounds provide an excellent show site, where two large framed marquees were erected to house the trade stands and an additional open sided marquee offered protection to the show vats. There were more stands in the form of catering and children’s entertainment located on the edge of the show arena.

The competition as usual was open to any hobbyist’s fish ranging from size one (18cm or less) to size eight (70cm or larger). This year, 118 fish were entered into the show, which was an increase on last year’s numbers.  Koi arrived from all over the south as well as entries from as far away as Wales and East Anglia

The 24 show vats held many inspiring koi which certainly impressed the visitors.  The fish looked at their best due to the care and attention taken over the water conditions.  The SEKC have always put a lot of emphasis on water quality and once again this was achieved by the use of AllClear water purifiers and maintained by in vat filters supplied by How Kang Koi. To ensure this very high standard was sustained, the water in each vat was tested regularly.  This avoided unnecessary water changes which could stress the fish but ensured action would be taken if required.

BKKS trainee judges Keiron Burns and Christine Woolger were in charge of benching; under the watchful eye of full BKKS judge Gary Hillier.  SEKC members ably assisted this team.  Earlier in the year a beginners seminar had been organised to encourage newer members to show their koi.  It covered the preparation of koi for a show, netting, bagging and transportation of fish, as well as touching on any koi related problem that was raised.  The newer koi keepers took up the challenge and brought along their entries.  This led to some discussion among the benching team in ascertaining the variety of one unique koi!

Once again the fish had to be judged English style, whereby an individuals koi are in one vat. This makes the job more difficult for the judges who have to consider fish that are in different vats several feet apart rather than in the same vat.  This year the judges were, Keith Bertie and Walter Reed, led by Mr Hayamasa Ikeda from Japan.

On Sunday, Mr Ikeda held a basic koi appreciation seminar for the visitors.  They gathered around a vat of five young koi and had to judge them on body shape, skin quality and pattern.  Mr Ikeda then explained how he would judge them and his reasons for doing so.  A more in depth seminar, with different koi, was held on the Monday for SEKC members.

This year the award for Grand Champion went to a size seven Showa owned by Peter Webber.  Peter is an experienced koi keeper with many prize-winning koi but as an encouragement to young enthusiasts, trophies were also awarded for Best Junior and Best Novice.

The SEKC would like to express thanks to all the koi hobbyists who, by showing their koi in the show gave the public the opportunity to view and admire beautiful koi.  Our thanks go especially to our sponsors, for without their donations putting on a show would be near impossible to achieve.

The South of England Koi Chapter is a Japanese affiliated club which promotes the art of koi keeping in the south of England.  A friendly  atmosphere is the norm at the chapter meetings, where new members are always warmly greeted and helped with any problems on koi keeping.  Throughout the summer months, outings are arranged to visit other koi keepers and their ponds as well as barbecues and koi appreciation seminars.  Monthly meetings are held at the Titchfield Parish Rooms on the fourth Friday of the month at 8.00p.m.

For membership details please contact membership secretary, Barbara Webber on Tel: 10722 340313 or e-mail: barbara@sekc.org.uk

For general information contact secretary, Pat Genovese on Tel: 02380428852 or e-mail:  pat@sekc.org.uk

PRIZE WINNERS

Peter Webber - Grand Champion a Showa, size 7

Michael Guite - Mature Champion a Kohaku, size 7

Frank Hadlow - Adult Champion a Kohaku size 5

Robert Potter - Young Champion a Kohaku, size 4

Malcolm Pallant - Baby Champion a Kohaku, size 2

Malcolm Pallant - Jumbo Champion, a Hikari-Muji, size 7

Blake Squires won Best Junior prize

Jack Drinkwater won Best Novice prize

A special award brought over from Japan by Hayamasa Ikeda san, was presented to Frank Hadlow for Best Tategoi, a Showa, size 6

Author: Malcolm Pallant

Chairman - SEKC