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Changes to BKKS Show Rules
The BKKS (British Koi Keepers Society) have today (16/05/2012) notified us of a change of their show rules and guidelines, this is nothing unusual as the society do, from time to time, make changes to the rules and as a section of the BKKS, the Cambridgeshire Koi Show is, (as all BKKS section shows are) governed by these rules and therefore their change is something we must take note of.
The biggest change is that the rules are no longer the societies own, they have taken the decision to implement a set of rules written by the UK Koi Policy Unit, an independent, non-profit organisation that was set up by a group of qualified individuals (including Dr. Paula Reynolds BSc PhD BA who is recognised as a leading expert in koi health and welfare) for the purpose of defining and promoting good standards of koi husbandry in hobbyist’s home ponds and at koi shows.
Obviously this change in rules will, and has already, brought some questions to bear, and therefore we have decided the best way to answer those is to put together this quick set of FAQ’s
Who are the UKKPU?
The UKKPU is a an independent group of qualified and industry respected individuals put together for the presentation of the rules to government bodies. The sole aim of the group is the purpose of defining and promoting good standards of koi husbandry in hobbyist’s home ponds and at koi shows.
The members of the UKKPU are Dr. Paula Reynolds BSc PhD BA, Dr. Carol McCall BSc PhD MBA MRPharmS, Mr. Sydney Mitchell MISPE, Mr. Bernard Woollands FITD (ret), Mr. Tony Sheffield BSc and Mr. Gary Pritchard the BKKS JSC Chairman.
All of these names are well known to the Cambridgeshire Koi Show team with Dr. Paula Reynolds BSc PhD BA already carrying out water testing for us prior to our show to allow us to know exactly what treatments and filters are required to ensure our water is a good as it possibly can be before the koi arrive.
The new rules indicate that a higher level of ammonia is acceptable in a vat, is this a target level?
The simply answer to that is NO.
As in the outgoing rules the maximum allowable value of total ammonia is simply a ceiling level that has been agreed by DEFRA as not being in breach of the Animal Welfare Act, our water teams however will, as always, be seeking to keep the ammonia levels within the vats as low as they possibly can.
The new rules request more water testing, why?
This, again, comes down to keeping overall water parameters as good as they can be and keeping the level of ammonia within the vats as low as possible. A 3 hour testing schedule will allow the water teams to spot rises in ammonia sooner than they previously did and respond to that rise more quickly and ultimately deal with them more effectively.
Will my fish be subjected to more water changes then?
As has always been the case, water in the vats will be changed as it is required to do so to keep on top of the parameters and keep the ammonia levels as low as possible. It is therefore possible that your vat may receive more water changes then under the old rules, but these changes, due to the lower levels of ammonia in the vat due to the more frequent testing, will be of a smaller amount of water and therefore less stressful to your koi.
The new rules have a different points system, can I bring more fish?
The points allocation system that was listed on your vat booking form will be used for the 2012 show. The total amount of points per vat, and the size guide that is associated with it, is based on tests that have been carried out at the showground and are therefore a known quantity. We will run tests based on the new guidelines on a number of vats in the week leading up to the show to give us some ‘real world’ data on stocking levels at this location and will use this information when looking at stocking levels for the show in 2013.
Where can I find out more
If you wish to read the rules in their entirety you can download them at www.bkks.co.uk/show-rules.html
If you wish to find out more about the UKKPU then please visit www.ukkpu.co.uk
Is there anything else I need to know?
Not really, no! The centre ring team that includes the water testing and water teams will, as before, continue to monitor your koi and the water in your vat to the best of their abilities and work to achieve the lowest ammonia levels they can.
Your koi will still be subject to the roving eye of a koi health specialist who will be looking for signs of any problems, and your koi will still be judged in the same way they have been previously.
In short, from an exhibitor’s point of view, nothing has changed.
So there you have it, the new set of rules will mean very little change, if any, for exhibitors other than they'll see their water being tested and changed (where appropriate) more often. For the show team that are looking after your fish, again, there's very little change, they will continue to do the very best for the koi in their care.
Chiyu Sponsor The Centre Ring
We’re pleased to announce that 'Chiyu' have have decided to use the 2012 Cambridgeshire Koi Show as one of their primary advertising strategies as they continue to get their name known here in the UK by sponsoring the centre ring at this years show.
Chiyu are a European manufacturer of high quality koi foods and pond treatments who made the decision in 2011 to bring their products to the UK, this has proved to be a wise decision as the product range is already receiving great reviews from those that have made the switch.
We understand that when launching a new brand into a new country making sure you find the right advertising & marketing opportunities is vital to the success of the product launch, and we're delighted that they have chosen the Cambridgeshire Koi Show to be one of their strategic partners in this and gain them maximum exposure.
Chiyu products will available over the show weekend on the Isle Of Ely Koi stand.
Best Show Of 2011
When we're organising and planning the show, winning awards is the furthest thing from our minds, all we're looking to do is ensure we put on the very best koi show we can and ensure that those that choose to visit us over the show weekend have a great day out and see some fantastic koi.
That said, when Koi magazine announce that the voting has now opened for their annual Koi awards it is only human nature to wonder 'have we done enough to win anything'.
Well, with the voting now well and truly closed and the results of the awards announced in issue 170, we're pleased to announce that for the second year running the Cambridgeshire Koi Show has been independently voted the best show in the UK - our thanks go to everyone that took the time to fill in their voting forms and put us forward for this award.
But it wasn't just the show that came out on top, the awards were good to our parent club, the Cambridgeshire Koi Club, who for the second year running were voted the best koi club in the country. This is a first as no other club has every taken the title 2 years in a row.
The awards were also good to our major sponsors and show supporters with major sponsors Koyoshi Premium Koi Food being voted best koi food, TMC being voted as the best range of UV's with RotoInnovation being voted runner up in the best manufacturer category and Coastal Koi taking best koi dealer for the second year in a row.
Japanese Koi Company Confirm Sponsorship for 2012
We’re pleased to announce that another of our primary sponsors from 2011, The Japanese Koi Company, has confirmed their continuing support of the show for 2012.
The Japanese Koi Company are one of, if not THE, largest Aquatic outlets in the country who stock a range of koi and equipment to suit all budgets.
We're delighted that they have chosen to support us once again and given us the opportunity to continue our relationship with then over the coming year.
TMC Confirm Sponsorship for 2012
We’re pleased to announce that another of our primary sponsors from 2011, TMC, has confirmed their continuing support of the show for 2012.
TMC are the manufacturers and suppliers of the market leading ultra violet clarifier brands, Pond Clear Advantage, Pro Clear Advantage and Pro Pond Advantage that can be found on ponds up and down the country.
It goes without saying that we're pleased to be able to continue our relationship with TMC and look forward to seeing them in attendance at the show in July.
Koyoshi Confirm Continuing Sponsorship
With the show just days behind us, Koyoshi Premium Koi Foods, one of our primary sponsors from 2010 and 2011 have already made contact and confrimed their continuing support of the show for 2012 and beyond.
As a leading brand in the UK koi food market we are pleased that they have chosen the Cambridgeshire Koi Show as their primary sponsorship once again for 2012 and we're obviosuly pleased to be able to continue our relationship with Koyoshi and look forward to seeing them once again at the show in 2012.
