created 22/10/2002

BENCHING


DEFINITION
The term 'benching' comes from the general aquarium fish shows where fish are displayed in aquariums on benches. In a Koi Show the literal term does not apply but the remaining procedures do.

These processes are carried out in the presence of the owner and involve the physical handling of the fish. In view of the importance of this part of the benching protocol it is often carried out by a trade professional or a hobbyist with a lot of expertise. The South East Section has had the benefit of the services of Keith Phipps (of Koi Care Aquatic Consultants) since 1990. (Such services are also offered to BKKS sections by the BKKS JSC).

The remaining processes are carried out behind the scenes and are deemed 'benching administration'. All involve the handling of data collected at the time of benching. They are divided into the following areas.

  • Production of the Exhibition cards
  • Compilation of the Judging lists
  • Recording of awards
  • Preparation of the data for prizegiving
PREPARATION
At the South East Section we like to say "Benching begins at home" and we say this to avoid dissapointment. The first thing any would be exhibitor has to do is 'register'. This is done by contacting the Show Chairman and expressing an interest in showing. He will send you a 'Registration form' by post for you to complete and return. We ask you to guestimate the number and size of the fish you expect to bring, so we can advise you if we consider that the vat is overloaded. Our show vats are 2metres in circumference and hold 300 gallons. If you feel that you need more, there is no problem for us, just book another vat. We now charge £10 per vat, this covers the cost of the photographs, exhibition cards, mementoes and trophies. All exhibitors now receive a commemerative bone china trinket box as a keepsake. Confirmation of receipt and booking will be sent within a few days of receipt.

Having registered for the show all you have to do now is wait. Obviously, maintaining good water quality in your pond and feeding the fish healthy food will enhance their appearance. We strongly recommend that you starve your fish for a minimum of three whole days before the show. This will reduce the amount of waste they produce in the bags whilst in transit, and in the vat during the show, thereby assisting in the maintenance of the water at the show. No doubt the fish will find something to browse on in the pond so they won't be completely starved but a little prevention at this stage goes a long way.

Prior to transporting your fish to the show we recommend that you examine each one for obvious signs of disease, parasites and injuries. (see BKKS SHOW RULES) If in doubt leave it at home. A sick fish belongs in hospital tank not a show vat. Your fish will be given a health check at the show, but consider this a bit of added value, don't be tempted to think that a sick fish may go unnoticed, it won't and all you will have done will be to subject it to two unneccessary journeys.

SHOW TIME
On arrival at the show follow the signs for "Benching". During benching we allow cars onto the show ground so drive up to the show ring and let an official know you have arrived. They will direct you to the 'Vat Allocation' official who will assign you a vat(s) and record your time of arrival. You will be asked to float your fish, in their bags for a period of time dependant on the local water temperature and weather. You may leave the vat at this time, but we ask you to return by the appointed 'floating' time and await the arrival of the benchers. The benching team may look formidable but it contains a number of people with specific jobs. You will be asked to undo your bags,(remember to save your elastic bands) and pass them accross to the bencher. He will then remove each fish individually and place it in an inspection/measuring bowl where he will carry out a thorough health check, examining the fish for disease, parasites or damage. Minor transit damage will be accepted, and he will advise on a suitable course of treatment on its return home. Similarly he will advise treatment on any fish rejected at this time.
Once accepted, the fish will be classified (see Show Classes on the Information page) and measured. We employ a custom made measuring bowl that allows the fish adequate movement without any holes to catch and damage an unwarry fin. This bowl may be a bit unwieldy for the bencher, but much better for the fish. The fish will then be photographed and the details recorded. This activity accounts for the number of people in the benching gang, the bencher, an assistant, a recorder and a photographer.
Once all the fish have been removed from the bag you will be asked to take the bag away and empty it. We ask you to take the water several steps away from the center ring and empty it onto the grass, distributing it evenly. Once all your fish have been through this process you will be asked to go to the benching tent to collect your 'benching form'. This is a receipt for the fish entered into the show and proof of identity when it comes to de-benching. Once all the formalities have been completed, drive your car to the official car park,come back into the show and enjoy the atmosphere and boost the clubs profits by having a drink or two at the section run bar.

MEANWHILE BACK IN THE BENCHING TENT.
The benching admin team will take the duplicates of your benching form and start the paper and electronic data flow that will enable the rest of the show to take place. Each of your fish will have its own exhibition card where its photo and the details of any awards recorded. This will be given to you at prizegiving as a permanent memento of the show. The data will be fed into the computer ready to be churned out as lists telling the judges where fish of a given Class and size can be found. The benching admin staff then take a well earned rest while the judges begin their deliberations which lasts for up to 15 minutes before the results begin to come in. When the judges return their results, they get entered into the computer and onto the exhibition cards. This activity continues through each round of the judging, until all judging is completed and all the results are recorded and cross-checked. Results recorded by the benching administration team are cross checked against those recorded by the judges before the results are printed out and the exhibition cards are displayed. This is just the final cross-check made by the admin team. Throughout the whole benching process checks are made to ensure the integrity of the information entered into the computer and written on the cards. Sure! mistakes happen but in 16 years of Open shows no incorrect information has ever been released to the public yet. Once all is approved the final act of the benching team is to produce the Award Ceremony Data for the prizegiving ceremony on the final day of the show.On the morning of the second day of the show all the results will be on display and will have also been published on this, and several other web-sites during the night.
Details of the South East's Benching administration protocol were published in the January 1994 issue of the BKKS Magazine.

©2002 SouthEastSection BKKS