Major Awards - The Mid Staffs Koi Show '24
The Mid Staffs Koi Keeping Society held its annual koi show last weekend, and I popped along to capture the winners. Once again, the Mid Staffs delivered a thoroughly enjoyable weekend, with some lovely koi on display. It was a closed show, meaning only club members could exhibit their koi, but they were all keen to do battle!
It was another show that felt somewhat lacking with paying attendees, but those there seemed to have a good laugh, and the Mid Staffs didn't hold back with their friendly vibes. Everyone was made to feel very welcome! Many thanks to the Mid Staffs for all their effort and the judges for giving up their free time, plus a big congratulations to everyone who exhibited!
Presenting...
The Major Awards for the 2024
Mid Staffs Koi Show!
Grand Champion
Owner: Mark Langford-Rotton
Kohaku // 65cm // Maruboshi // Koi Carp
A Tall Tale...
At the show, I got nattering with a hobbyist who has exhibited his koi at other shows but (due to a recent catastrophe) is having to restock his pond. Our conversation revolved around buying koi worthy of competing at shows and the often-hefty sums of cash involved.
It reminded me of the notion that show-koi must be reassuringly expensive - it's not true. People who have been around the show scene longer than me will be able to list countless bargain koi that have picked up major awards over the years, but to keep it topical, here's a recent example.
Mark's GC cost him £150 as tosai (one-year-old). He raised her diligently in a good environment and at gosai (five-year-old), she won a lovely prize. Some might say, "She's only 65cm and couldn't compete against larger GCs at national-level open shows," and (yes) that's probably true. At such shows, the koi would likely fall into the Adult Champion category. However, she was the best fish on judging day at The Mid Staffs Koi Show, and that's all that counts.
For me, there are two things to learn here. One, you don't always need to spend a fortune to enjoy the koi hobby and compete at shows. Two, never second guess your chances, as it always depends on the competition - who knows what will turn up on benching day!
Tosai to Gosai:
Mature Champion & Jumbo Champion
Kevin Sayers
Kohaku // 75cm // Matsue // Gatwick Koi
Adult Champion
Owner: Liam Freeman
Kohaku // 64cm // Momotaro // Queni Koi
Young Champion
Owner: Gary Woods
Kohaku // 55cm // Marudo // Koi Carp
Baby Champion
Owner: Rob & Jo Burgwin
Kohaku // 34cm // Sekiguchi // Exclusively Koi
Best Doitsu
Owner: Dan Fletcher
Doitsu Kin Showa // 38cm // Kase // Supreme Koi
Most Unusual
Owner: Lisa Leech
Kawarimono // 41cm // Otsuka // A1 Koi
Best Beginner
Owner: Robert Dale
Best Vat (Chairman's Choice)
Owner: Paul Dolan
Jimmy Morris Award
Owner: Nathan Hurley
Trevor Clinton Wyre Award
Awared by Phil Turner (Hollybush Aquatics)
Owner: Mandy Richards
Kujaku // 53cm // Queni Koi
Awards and such...
They're all winners - the Mid Staffs Crew!
If you would like to find out more regarding The Mid Staffs Koi Show:
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