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Crouch Valley Photo Show

Grand Champ

This year’s competition was once again a very good night’s entertainment, enjoyed by a record number of participants, 24, along with many members who did not participate. With a total of 168 fish photographed and divided into three size categories.

Size 1 was for fish up to 12 inches, size 2 was fish measuring 12 – 20 inches, and finally size 3 was for fish over 20 inches. There was also an additional feature of the best Ochiba-Shigure, replacing last year’s ‘judges choice’, which had no size classification.

The photographs were once again taken by George Simmons and ably assisted by Chris Bellinger. This required several weeks of arrangements, weekday and weekend visits to the 24 members homes who had put their names forward, which was 6 more than the number of last year’s entrants.

The BKKS JSC allocated Kieran Burns to judge this year’s show. Kieran was given the photographs two weeks before the club night so he could make his deliberations at a leisurely pace. Kieran actually had the judging finished within 24 hours, by which time he had decided on the five winners of the designated awards. Grand Champion. Best in Size1. (Baby Champion). Size 2. (Adult Champion). Size 3. (Mature Champion), and finally Best Ochiba.

Our rules constrain any winning fish to just one award, so the Grand Champion for example will not win any ‘best in size’ prizes. Other than that the rules are very much in keeping with general Koi shows. The thirteen varieties don’t always have entries in all three sizes but all varieties are often included within the competition.

The photographs are developed onto slides and on the evening we have two slide projectors showing the fish on two screens, which gives the judge the facility to make comparisons along with his analysis and remarks on the night, while the members can also make their own assessments to whom they think will be the overall winners.

After all the fish have been shown within their size ranges, the judge completes the evening by declaring to the membership his winning choices, which up to that point is only known by George and Chris. A short informal presentation of prizes concludes the show.

Crouch Valley will again hold a Photographic competition in 2010 as this has become a very popular evening on our club calendar.

FULL RESULTS

Grand Champion – Size 3 Sanke, Daren Lewis

Best in Size 1 (Baby Champion) – Utsurimono, Graham Hall

Best in Size 2 (Adult Champion) – Showa, Tony Thompson

Best in Size 3 (Mature Champion) – Utsurimono, Colin Wainwright

Best Ochiba-Shigure – (Size 2), George Simmons Runner-up - Roger Hammond

Best in Variety Size1

Kohaku Ian Franklin
Sanke Darren Hepple
Gin Rin Daren Lewis
Koromo Ashley Duncombe
Hikarimoyo George Simmons
Hikarimuji Graham Hall
Hikari-utsuri George Simmons
Utsurimono Jean Nicholls
Tancho Jean Nicholls
Kawarimono Paul Wilson
Bekko John Botha

Best in Variety Size 2

Kohaku Graham McCartney
Sanke Ray Nicholls
Showa Andy Owen
Gin Rin Graham Hall
Koromo Andy Owen
Hikarimoyo Terry Gordine
Hikarimuji Gerry Edwards
Utsurimono Ray Nicholls
Tancho Laurence Harvey
Kawarimono Vic Boreham
Bekko Paul Wilson
Asagi/Shusui Terry Gordine

Best in Variety Size 3

Kohaku Graham McCartney
Sanke Colin Wainwright
Showa Daren Lewis
Gin Rin Laurence Harvey
Koromo Chris Bellinger
Hikarimuji Vic Boreham
Hikari-utsuri Roger Hammond
Utsurimono Laurence Harvey
Tancho Graham McCartney
Kawarimono Vic Boreham
Asagi/Shusui George Simmons