Limerigg couples celebrating after dogs win top awards at Crufts 2020

Fran and Bill Barnbrook and Margaret and Andrew Brown looked on with delight at the NEC in Birmingham as their pets claimed some of the top prizes during the awards ceremony.

Bribiba’s Jinkabout, an Irish wolfhound owned by Fran and Bill, was awarded Best Puppy in Group, while her sister, Bribiba’s Soairse, took second place.

Meanwhile, Margaret and Andrew’s black labrador Ruby Walsh won the Best of Breed title.

The Barnbrooks and the Browns, who are retired and live just a matter of doors away from each other, have owned and trained dogs at their respective Bribiba Irish Wolfhounds and Ramsayville kennels for several years.

Bill (66), who has seven other Irish wolfhounds, said Bribiba’s Jinkabout — named after his sons Brian, Billy and Barry plus a Grangemouth bridge — had performed admirably.

He added: “I had been in hospital and had a knee replacement operation so I said to our friend Caroline Shephard, ‘I will handle her but could you show her for me?’ and she said she would love to.

“Because of my operation I’m not fit enough to run.

“I was proud like you wouldn’t believe. I’d like to thank the judge Ian Sexton and all the other entries. It was a good turnout.”

Ruby Walsh’s win was the lab’s second Best of Breed success at Crufts, with the first coming in 2017.

Margaret (66), who is originally from Larbert and is a dog show judge herself, has kept labrador retrievers for 45 years along with husband Andrew.

Discussing Ruby Walsh’s achievements, she said: “He’s a veteran now and is eight.

“He’s had a few Best in Breed in shows over the years. We’ve got a few other champions here.

“It’s a hobby. We’re both retired now and had dogs all this time.

“I’d like to thank the breed judge on the day, Lucy Kent, and my friend Louise Lewis who moved the dog for me.

“I have been very fortunate because I show the dogs and I’m the one everybody sees but Andrew does the work here and feeds them.”