Judges and Show personnel; LtoR – Joe White (Co-Director), Bob Winkler, Tom Ayers, Steve Drake, Jim Reilly (Head Judge), Toen Feyen (ZNA, Holland), Mike Harvey (ZNA, South Africa) and Sherri White (Director). Not pictured is Don Hellard, Show Chairman.

Below are some pictures from the 2004 AFKAPS show held in Orlando, FL on the weekend of March 6th-8th. It is the largest show on the east coast of the United States and some of the best koi show up to compete. Again, thanks to Henry Culpepper for providing these beautiful photos.

Grand Champion B is not always an award given in American shows. We had seen it a few times and the AFKAPS board voted to have it this year. I believe we will continue with the award as well. I took the photos displayed here right after the majority of the judging was complete (the judges were still deciding on Best in Variety while I was taking the photos). We wanted good photos of the top fish for the Awards Banquet. It allowed the judges the opportunity to discuss each Koi with the audience. The photos we took during benching were only good enough to tell them apart from their tank mates. As many of you well know, it can take a little while to get a decent shot of a Koi. Large Koi make a lot of ripples while moving in the photo tub while very small Koi can be difficult to get in focus.

Our show still only goes up to Size 6 (over 24"). In future years Size 6 may be 24 to 28" and a Size 7 added (over 28"). Since the Grand Champion was obviously well over 24" we did not make an accurate measurement. I would guess she was between 28 and 30 inches and the photo does not do her girth justice. She would not pose for her photo and almost jumped out of the tank. My E10 got a pretty good shower.

For our show and many others in the US, the Baby Champ is chosen between the Best in Size 1 (under 8") and 2 (8-12"). The Young Champion is chosen from Size 3 (12-16") and Size 4 (16-20"). The Mature Champion is chosen from Size 5 (20-24") and Size 6 (over 24"). Grand and Reserve are usually chosen from Size 5 or 6, but the judges have the option to pick from any Koi in the show. Jumbo Award can either be given to the largest Koi entered (a benching award) or picked by the judges from Size 5 or 6. Ours was picked by the judges but was probably the largest at the show (between 30 and 32").

Henry