A few days ago, I spoke with Bill McGurk from Purdin Koi Farm and got the scoop on the going-ons last weekend during the AKCA Judge’s Seminar. There were about 30 plus judges in attendance during the two day affair which consisted of a series of talks, lectures and a “mini-Koi show” for judges training purposes. Ray Jordan, who was also in attendance, told me that the people from Purdin were also so nice as to prepare both breakfast and lunch for all the judges for the duration of the seminar so that people would not have to rush back and forth between meals and scheduled activities. Being that the seminar was held in Louisiana, which I believe is quite the destination spot, many judges came not only with their wives, but also with a few family members and friends to take in the sights and experiences that the area had to offer.
“I do have a bit of good news to share with you,” said Bill when I gave him a call. “At around lunchtime during the seminar, I got a call from the UK informing me that a fish that was purchased from us had just won Grand Champion at the Birmingham and West Midlands Koi Show.” To which my response was….
CONGRATULATIONS, BILL! THAT’S FANTASTIC! THAT’S WONDERFUL! I’M SO EXCITED FOR PURDIN KOI FARM! *WOOT*WOOT*!
Well, not exactly quite like that…. I’m speaking to a proper English Gentleman, you know? *wink* But I was certainly that excited! My “lady sensibilities” told me to at least keep my voice down… 😉
I was told that the Grand Champion is a Sanke, born in 2007 (which would make it a gosai) and was about 25″ or so (Naturally, Bill couldn’t be there to personally size the fish!). I did a little bit of digging around and found a forum where they were discussing the show where it was published that the Grand Champion was about 66 cm, which makes it almost 26″ (Source: http://www.themtherekoyas.com/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=1568&p=22910, I hope this is alright with the moderators that i posted my source.) It is currently owned by Mr. Tony Barker. Congratulations to Mr. Tony Barker as well! 🙂
It seems that Purdin Koi Farm gets good growth on their fishes. Bill mentioned that their largest fish at the moment is equal in size to their breeding stock, which is quite a feat in itself. Purdin Koi Farm mainly breeds Gosanke, and have recently started breeding Shiro Utsuri and Goshiki.
So again, Congratulations to Purdin Koi Farm for not only having organized a wonderful event for the AKCA Judges Seminar, but for also pushing the Koi Industry forward with your Grand Champion win!
At the moment, I am writing from the guest room at Koi Acres, where the whole farm is abuzz with activities and last minute preparations for the Great Ike Age that is scheduled to begin tomorrow. Everyone is quite excited and frankly, so am I! Unfortunately, I will be the only representative from TOMiGAi present this weekend… My father and brother is totally going to miss out on all the fun! Oh well, they (along with everyone else who will be missing out on the fun) can read my blog and find out how everything went! 😉
Och, I think I hear Devin nagging, I mean*calling* me….
Gotta Go!
