It was a family affair at Shane’s Castle this summer as the parents of Clabby’s dog handler twins, Christopher and Mackenzie Corbett, joined their sons to compete in competitions at the Great Game Fair of Ireland.

Although Tracy and Keneth Corbett have always been by their successful sons’ sides, showing support as they compete in competitions across the country, they decided that this time they would compete too.

“It was the first time we all competed as a family, against each other, sort of,” said Tracy, speaking to The Impartial Reporter. “Both boys came away champions,” she added.

The Great Game Fairs of Ireland ran from June 25 to 26. Talking about the competitions each family member competed in, Tracy said: “The Saturday, it was all about Christopher. Saturday was the spaniel day.

“He was competing in the novice and the open [categories] with both his dogs. This was the first year that he put both in the open.”

Commenting that the weather was “horrendous”, Tracy added: “He did really well, considering! It was one of the best tests he’s ever run but in the worst conditions.

“He got a ‘Young Handler of the Fair’ [award] with his spaniels.”

Tracy herself competed in a scurry with her spaniel, which she described as a “bit of fun”.

Then, on Sunday, it was the labrador day.

“We had mum [Tracy], dad [Keneth] and Mackenzie all competing against each other with the labrador puppies,” said Tracy, adding: “It’s the first time all three of us have done a labrador test so it was all new.

“We had young dogs and it was a completely new experience. It was really good. We didn’t win or anything, but it was our first time out in a big competition.”

Following the labrador test, Mackenzie competed in a scurry. Unfortunately, due to the bad weather on the Sunday, the family had to leave the fair early.

“We were soaked to the skin, so we didn’t even know until we got home that Mackenzie had won,” said Tracy.

In total, the family competed eight dogs at the Great Game Fairs of Ireland.

Christopher competed with his English springer spaniels, Heather, and Robert the Bruce, while Mackenzie trialled his yellow labrador, Murray, and won the scurry with his black labrador, Lady Bonnie Blue.

“Mine are spanish water spaniels, Hamish and Tarri,” said Tracy, adding that her husband Keneth competed with springer spaniel Lady Bailey and labrador Buddy.