PROMOTE THE HOBBY

PROMOTE THE HOBBY THROUGH OPEN MINDED EXCHANGE OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS - Share your experiences as a breeder or novice both good and bad. Pass on your experiences and share results with the next generation. A successful breeder will be remembered for such efforts...

Saturday, August 13, 2016

19th World Guppy Contest (WGC), Vienna Austria

19th World Guppy Contest (WGC), Vienna Austria
August 22-28, 2016




© Alan S. Bias
Permission granted for nonprofit reproduction or duplication of photos and text with proper credit for learning purposes only.
August 12, 2016
Metallic Blond Bunt Lowersword, bred by Alan S.Bias


Do you breed and maintain Guppies to any set standard found around the world?  If so, you should consider the opportunity that exists this month in Vienna, Austria.  As a breeder you have the chance not only to exhibit your strain, but also introduce yourself and in turn promote your breeding program at a true world level.  In doing so, you will find a place for strains that commonly fit into accepted classes in North America, and those that don’t.

The 19th World Guppy Contest (WGC) is a show that goes beyond local, state, regional and national level competition.  It makes a sincere attempt to encompass set standards found among established Domestic Guppy breeding associations worldwide.  WGC shows are geared to accept an array of Guppy color, pattern, and finnage phenotypes.   

WGC shows, sponsored under the auspices of the World Guppy Association (WGA) traditionally occur only once a year.  The WGA relies upon the volunteer efforts of a governing board comprised of elected officers, delegates, host clubs, judges and most importantly breeders from around the World for support in this annual event.

1996: 01. WGC, Osaka/Japan
1997: 02. WGC, Nuremberg/Germany
1998: 03. WGC, Milwaukee/USA
1999: 04. WGC, Rio de Janeiro/Brasil
2000: 05. WGC, Vienna/Austria
2001: 06. WGC, Prague/Czech
2002: 07. WGC, Nuremberg/Germany
2003: 08. WGC, Santos/Brasil
2004: 09. WGC, Milwaukee/USA
2005: 10. WGC, Taipei/Taiwan
2006: 11. WGC, Prague/Czech
2007: 12. WGC, Brasilia/Brazil
2009: 13. WGC, Ferrara/Italy
2010: 14. WGC, Belo Horizonte/Brazil
2011: 15. WGC, Boston/USA
2012: - No Show
2013: 16. WGC, Kuala Lumpur/Malaysia
2014: 17. WGC, Tianjin/China
2015: 18. WGC, Tampa/USA
2016:  19. WGC, Vienna Austria

IFGA Green Delta

In the early 1970’s as a young Guppy breeder one of my favorite publications was Portrait Of The Guppy (1967), By Larry Konig.  I have read this publication many times over since that time, and occasionally pull it out, though these days in digital .pdf format, for a quick glance.

From this publication I was made aware of the early diversity in Guppy phenotypes, emerging genetic knowledge, and more importantly the existence of clubs at the local and national level.  Though living in a remote region, by US standards, it would be a number of years before I became associated with the International Fancy Guppy Association (IFGA), successor to the American Guppy Association (AGA).  Starting in the late 1950’s members of the AGA put together initial standards for showing Guppies.  From which, the IFGA, later expanded upon and periodically updates into current North American standards.

Of all the topics covered in Konig’s publication, several comments in his final page of review have stood out in my mind through the years.

First, he made a comment, “not everyone who has been successful is willing to help his or her fellow hobbyist.  That is human nature and we’ll just have to grin and bear it.”

Second, “it is no crime to be stumped by a question, but it is very unfair to pass along improper information.”

Third, “this is a wonderful hobby, especially when shared with our friends.  But the easiest way to lose friends, and for the Society to lose members, is by misinformation.  It leads to a loss of interest by the affected persons.” [emphasis added].

Forth, “we are doing better each year, due to the fact that more and more people are breeding and experimenting with stock from the best breeding strains available, and are often willing to share their good results with fellow hobbyists.” [emphasis added].

Entry of your stocks in WGC competitions not only garners recognition of your  breeding efforts, it offers breeders around the world an opportunity to continue and expand upon your results.  At the completion of judging entries are auctioned or sold to attending breeders with a common interest.

Are you open minded and agreeable to accept results based on diverse standards and opinions of a group of knowledgeable breeder judges?  Then help promote Guppy breeding within the constraints of an ever growing worldwide community of breeders, by considering the opportunity this show presents.  Show your support as an independent North American or IFGA breeder by sending some entries to this truly unique and worldwide event.
  
There are no entry fees for entry in the 19th WGC being held in Vienna, Austria from August 22-28, 2016.  If you are interested in entering several of your fish that best exemplify  breeding results, you may contact Frank Chang, Simeon Bonev or myself, Alan S. Bias.  We will personally handle cost, transport and entry through Austrian Customs of your fish to Vienna.

But, you must make arrangements quickly and ship to one of us by the end of next week.  All three of us may be contacted via Facebook messaging to make needed arrangements.


Grey Purple Body Mutation Lowersword, bred by Alan S.Bias
Grey Asian Blau Purple Body Mutation Lowersword, bred by Alan S.Bias

Links:
General Show Information - http://www.worldguppycontest2016.com/
  

References:  Portrait Of The Guppy (1967), By Larry Konig.  E.G. Publishing Co., P.O. Box 294, Eliabeth, NJ, USA  07207.


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Don't forget the final show of the IFGA show season hosted
by Deep South Fancy Guppy Associates.  Mufreesboro, TN.  August 20-21, 2016.
http://ifga.org/show_rules/2016/deepsouth_2016.htm

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Click on blog photos to enlarge

Click on blog photos to enlarge