Every year, the European Koi Show takes place in Oldenzaal, Netherlands, usually in late May or early June. It draws enthusiasts and dealers from all over Northern Europe.
Judges are invited from all over the world to judge what has become one of Europe’s biggest koi shows. This year was no different, with over one hundred vats and nearly eight hundred koi. The judging team of twelve full judges and four trainees came from America, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Sweden, with five judges representing the Koi Judges UK Organisation (KJUKO) from Britain. These included Gary Pritchard (show head judge), Gary Hillier, Kieron Burns, Stephen Malm and Gary Hazley. Trainee Lawrence Harvey also supported the bench team and judges throughout the show.
Traditionally, at international shows, the KJUKO judges choose a koi of note only from hobbyist vats competing at the show. This time, we decided to identify a hobbyist vat that had not won a major or significant award but still had a vat of high-quality koi and some uniqueness in the variety of fish being shown. Gary Hillier and Kieron Burns decided to choose the size six doitsu Beni Goi owned by Leroy Kolstee.