Award Winners - Crouch Valley Koi Show 2026

A Weekend in Essex

No sooner had the National Koi Show drawn to a close than it was time to head down south for the Crouch Valley Koi Show. Despite another weekend of exceptionally hot weather, the show once again proved why it has become such a popular fixture on the UK koi calendar.

The atmosphere throughout the weekend was excellent. Friendly, relaxed and welcoming, the show has a lovely pace to it that encourages people to slow down, chat with fellow hobbyists and spend time appreciating the koi. Attendance was around 1,850, which is a tremendous achievement and a real testament to the hard work of the organising team.

This year saw 191 koi exhibited across 25 vats, with another encouraging influx of first-time exhibitors taking the plunge and showing their fish. One such exhibitor won Grand Champion! That's something I always enjoy seeing. New exhibitors are potential new lifeblood of any koi show, and it's fantastic to watch people gaining the confidence to put their koi in front of the judges and become part of the show scene.

Having now settled into its new polytunnel home, the event feels increasingly polished and professional. The layout flows well, the trade area is easy to navigate, and the whole venue has developed a real identity of its own. It feels like a show that has well and truly planted its feet.

Speaking of the trade area, there certainly didn't seem to be any shortage of buyers. Throughout the weekend it was hard not to notice boxes of newly purchased koi and dry goods regularly making their way towards the car park, suggesting traders enjoyed a very healthy couple of days. It's always encouraging to see people investing in new koi and goods.

With another successful weekend complete, congratulations must once again go to the entire Crouch Valley team, the exhibitors, volunteers, judges and trade stands who all played their part in delivering another excellent event. Below you'll find my gallery of award-winning koi from the weekend.

The Benching Matrix, Thanks to Rob Whittell (Inazuma Koi)

The Crouch Valley Koi Show 2026

Grand Champion & Best Newcomer

Owner: Dean Whall

Sanke // 84cm // Sakai Fish Farm // Koi Water Barn

An Interview with Dean, the owner - enjoy!

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Superior Champion 

Owner: Tom Alderton

Kohaku // 76cm // Nogami // Select Nishikigoi

Mature Champion 

Owner: Tom Alderton

Sanke // 74cm // Shintaro // Quality Nishikigoi

Adult Champion 

Owner: Matt Stevens

Kohaku // 65cm // Sakai Co // Grey's Koi

Young Champion 

Owner: Michael Thompson

Ginrin Shiro Utsuri // 49cm // Takahashi // Shosha Koi

Baby Champion 

Owner: Mark Lester

Kohaku // 35cm // Matsue // Shosha Koi

Best Non Gosanke

Owner: Tom Alderton

Benigoi // 78cm // Sakai Fish Farm // Koi Water Barn

Jumbo Champion

Owner: David Gardner

Mukashi Ogon // 95cm // Sakai Fish Farm // Koi Water Barn

Best Doitsu

Owner: Lau Harvey (Pondy)

Doitsu Sanke // 65cm // Takigawa // Chosen Koi

Most Unique

Owner: Andy Patten

Kin Ki Utsuri // 58cm

Keith Holmes Award

Owner: Barrie and Keith Burkin

Ochiba Shigure // 33cm

Mark Gardner Award

Owner: Lewis Neave

Showa // Dainichi // Sunny Bank Koi

Enjoy a Gallery of Photos from the show.

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#More Shows in August

There are two more UK shows coming up in August 

• The North of England Koi Show 8th / 9th - Whitburn Church of England Academy SR6 7EF

• The Great British Koi Show 29th / 30th - Newark Showground, Coddington, Newark, NG24 2NY

I’ll be attending both, shooting the koi and mingling so be sure to come along and say hi, I love meeting faces new and old! If you’d like to keep up to date with the show calendar for 2026 check out the link and feel free to share the image above:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/koishows

Best Wishes and Happy Koi Keeping, 

Liam