2009 Northern California ZNA Koi Show
One of the Premiere Koi Show in America
By Dinh Nguyen
The Northern California ZNA Koi Show is one of the premieres in America. The ZNA NorCal club will host the 3rd annual show at Holiday Inn, 1740 North First Street, San Jose, California from November 14 to 15 2009. This is one of the highest quality koi competitions in which participates across the nation including North Carolina, Texas, Oregon, Georgia, California, and others with entries in various of categories including sizes, color, and pattern. Larry Gill, the president of ZNA NorCal, has been travelling around the world for koi judging and seeing many beautiful fish, but said that he is very honored to see his home koi club always has the top of quality koi. “ZNA NorCal show is the home of Gosanke,” said James Reilly, a ZNA Koi Judge with deepest knowledge of Nishikigoi in both technical and history. The Gosanke is the top three and most popular of the Koi categories including Kohaku, Sanke and Showa. The Kohaku which is a white with red pattern, Showa which has a white and red pattern on its black skin and Sanke which has a black and red pattern on its white coloring make up this category of Koi fish. More than 30 tanks have been reserved for housing these excellent fish during the event. The show and seminars are free and open to public on November 14 and 15 from 9Am to 6Pm.
The show is also designed for having numerous sponsors including fish vendors, pond builders, koi artist, bonsai, dry goods vendors, and artisans. Visit vendors from across the country selling imported and domestic koi, goldfish, water color painting, other pond & water gardening products, non-pond items and their servies.
Koi Seminars will be present by Mr. Kodama with a variety of koi topics including male koi. Mr. Kodama is a well respected koi master in the world. He is the author of many famous koi books, and has written hundreds of koi and koi related articles. Judging seminars and comments on the winning koi will be presented by Koi Judges. Dr. Scott Weber of University California of Davis will have a seminar on Koi health and KHV topic.
The show will use the English style of judging. Exhibitors are assigned an exhibition tank provided by the club for their fish. Judging will begin at 9:30 AM Saturday November 14, and judging will be completed by 2PM on the same day. The show results will be announced and awarded during Award celebration at the Saturday Show Banquet. There will be a Grand Champion for the greatest fish of the show. Reserve Grand Champion, Mature, Adult, Young and Baby Champion, Best in size, First and Second Honorable Mention as well as other awards. Mr. Bob Finnegan will head the Judging Team this year. Other judges are Mr. Larry Christensen, and Mr. Junichi Kayano. All three judges are well known for their depth knowledge of Nishikigoi.
Bonsai is an additional feature to our koi show. Bonsai will be display on both Saturday and Sunday. Sam Adina, a bonsai designer, will be given a bonsai demonstration on Saturday November 14, 2009.
There are many items donated by sponsors, vendors, and members for raffle and auction to benefit the club. In addition for raising some fund, "raffle and auction is part of the fun and entertainment for the event", said Ann Nguyen, the youngest koi member of the ZNA Norcal Koi Club.
ZNA NorCal Club was formed in February of 2006 by Dinh Nguyen along with 33 founding members, as a chapter of ZNA International Organization, is a non-profit club. It is the youngest ZNA Chapter in America. However, “It is the most active chapter with many serious hobbyists,” said Ron Goforth, Chairman of USA ZNA District. The main purpose of the show is about education, a chance to learn about koi improvement, koi keeping knowledge, and sharing and enjoying the beauty of the fish. Nishikigoi is originated from Japan with the deepest of appreciating Nishikigoi as “living art” or “living Jewelry”. In addition to the appreciation of the beauty, most of ZNA members hold on the same ZNA spirit of “Friendship through Koi” that we are now in forging and building friendship through the hobby all over the world. This show promises to be one of the premiere shows in America with top quality koi. It will be a memorable experience for participate hobbyists, vendors, or simply attending the show as an observer. We invite you all to attend the NorCal show for enjoyment and appreciation of the Nishikigoi and experience our show as well as building friendships.
