Arrival in 3...2...1...
Convention this year as in Irving ,Texas, right next to the Dallas, Fort Worth airport. I am so happy that I was able to go and meet so many long time betta breeders from all around the United States and Europe!
All the judges gathered for the BOV and BOS!
Sun rising as I make my way to the hotel!
 The boy band helps set up all the fish... |  Some of us take set up more seriously than others! |
Hanging out with fish people
 I spent a lot of time ogling things in the stock shop lol  Team Stacy gets a special present in their raffle bag! |  Lots of hanging out and talking fish!  There was much serious discussion over...stuff... |
Dr. Lucas take some time out in the balmy heat to draw another beautiful pastel!
 The infamous hospitality suite....oh boy... |  And the banana that saved me the next morning! |
Show fish!
I didn't have a whole lot of time to photograph fish, since I was taking all the judging seminars, but I tried to get at least a couple of the cool looking ones during my break time. I have to say that photographing show fish in a dimly lit show room and in spotty, scratched beanies is a photographer's worst nightmare. I think I will have to invest in a standalone light source...
 Gorgeous black dragon!  Gold CT female in pairs with her amazing husband on the right... |  Funny tancho fish :-p  Might have been my favorite betta out of the entire show! |
Really lovely black Traditional PK by Igor...should have won, but he ran out of steam during the judging! It was very difficult to photograph him!
 Crazy black and yellow marble halfmoon! |  Beautiful butterfly by Karen Mac Auley |
Judging
Judging was extremely fun! After I attended the judging seminars, I was paired up with Sieg Illig and Peter Baerwald to judge some of the classes. I learned a TON that day...especially...(thick German accent) "Severe...is pretty bad..."!
The following pictures were taken by Christine, since I was so busy doing my IBC Convention judging thang. One of the best experiences yet!
The following pictures were taken by Christine, since I was so busy doing my IBC Convention judging thang. One of the best experiences yet!
 Judging with iPad in hand (had my electronic version of the standards) |  More judgey judging |
 Totally freaking out as my boy competes for BOS! |  Dr, Lucas arranging the BOS contenders. |
Awards Banquet
I loved the awards banquet...I don't have many reasons to get all dressed up anymore :)
 Phil and Rich sure clean up nice!  Sieg and Judy!  Team Stacy and Lance! |  Our French-speaking ambassadors from Switzerland, Jean-Michel and Claire!  Karen and Steve!  Sherolyn and Mike!  Yvonne!! |
Dr. Lucas and his wife, Jean!
 Kayla got so many awards, she just sat down while Gerald brought them to her!  Yvonne happily accepting her awards! |  Joe buckling under the wright of Kayla's awards!  Phil accepting one of his many awards |
Larissa receiving her end of the year award!
 Oh Jer-bear!  Sherolyn receiving her end of the year award!  Sieg and Judy receiving a well-deserved Grand Champion of the Year! |  Peter slowly realizing that they were talking about HIM  Double surprise awards!  Yay John! Especially for only having shown the first half of the show season! Impressive! |
Dr. Lucas enjoying his first ever writing award prize :)
My Show Results
I couldn't believe how well I did at my very first convention! WOW! I am honored!
We cleaned up the patterned CT female class (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), and one of my girls got Reserve Best in Show (out of a whopping 133!) Wow! Also got 11th place overall, after having shown in only 4 shows!
 My pineapple traditional PK boy did it again, and got BOV Shortfin Male (out of 59!) It was EXTREMELY close with Igor's black traditional PK...the only thing that pulled my boy ahead was his non-stop deportment! Shows how important flare training is :) |  My grandfather's huge traditional PK female (I named her "Whale") swept her traditional female PK class (out of 10). |
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