We would like to congratulate John Hellens, for winning Jumbo Champion with a Yume Koi Momotaro Sanke that we purchased as Tosai, and sold to John as Yonsai. John has raised her to around 92cm at 7 years old, and we think that she has a chance to become the first 1 metre Go-Sanke in the UK in the future.

Secondly, we would like to Congratulate Dave Dallison for winning Young Champion with a lovely Kohaku that we sold to him when low price Tosai of 23cm. He has grown her to 55cm, and she still has a rosey future ahead of her.

We would also like to congratulate Rob Robson for winning Baby Champion with a low price Tosai Kohaku. We also hope that Rob's Kohaku will fair well over the coming year or so with his excellent keeping skills.

The downside for us... We missed Adult Champion with a 'once in a lifetime' Kohaku that won a second in size at the All Japan Show this year. The general consensus at the BKKS was that this Koi was 'unbeatable', and many described her as the one Koi in the Show that they would like to take home. But, alas, she only got a third in variety. Hey ho, we can't be too gready! ;-)

For us, the BKKS National was excellent! We met many happy clients there, and hopefully picked up some new ones. It was for us, one of the most 'fun' nationals we have ever had.

The water at the Show was up to its usual high standard, though I have heard comments that the pH was too high, and that surely water could have been 'tanked' to the Show in better spec. This kind of train of thought is ludicrous, as the pH 'out of the tap' is irrelevant, as it is the KH and sunshine that will dictate the pH once in the vats. Even shipping in softer water would have made no difference. To my mind, the water team did an excellent job, and deserve gratitude rather than criticism.

As for the picture at the top of our newsletter, from left to right 'Jumbo Champion' 92cm Momotaro Sanke, 'Young Champion' 55cm Yamatoya Kohaku, 'Baby Champion' 31cm Kohaku, and our contender for 'Adult Champion' which won 2nd Best In Size in AJS 2009