Clark Chrystal with his children Sam, Lana and Jess training their dog Hendrix Photo: Supplied
Tutira farmer Clark Chrystal wasn’t expecting to win the national and South Island sheep dog trial's zig zag hunt in May.
Much of his spare time was spent repairing the family farm post Cyclone Gabrielle and there wasn’t much left to train his dogs.
After pursuing the craft for more than 20 years, it was about time he and his prize dog Jude took out their first national championship title.
In 1981, Clark Chrystal’s father converted the family farm from sheep and beef to dairy. Clark and his wife, Sian, have been running the property in Tutira in Northern Hawke's Bay for more than two decades. Where they also brought up their four children, Jess, Lana, Suzy and Sam.
Chrystal has been running the local dog trial club as secretary for 25 years.
"You sort of have to die to lose it."
There are half a dozen active dog triallers in the Tutira and Putorino districts and the local club keeps the community connected.
"There's not a lot going on socially in the district anymore without kids at school ... so this brings everyone together."
Clark introduced his children to dog trialling, building the sport into the family's weekend and travelling across the country to compete. His daughter Lana Chrystal caught on quickly when her Dad gave her his dog Punch to trial as a teen.
For Lana Chrystal, being a shepherd was a no-brainer.
"My Mum does more than my Dad on the farm these days. Mum's always been hands-on, looking at that might have helped."
She now works on a large station called Kelly Land Co just outside of Taihape.
Lana says there's a few women joining competitive dog trialling and they're just as good as the lads. She enjoys competing in an open class,
"I hate anything to do with girls being different to guys."
Lana Chrystal and her dog Belle Photo: Supplied
Dog trialling is a passion both father and daughter share. Both Clark and Lana Chrystal ended up competing against one another at the South Island sheep dog trial championships.
Lana was wrapped both her huntaways, Belle and Carla, qualified. She says it's been a tough year.
"It made me so sad, coming home to the whole place in slips, the whole road was pretty much gone and it was pretty scary actually."
Finally watching her Dad bring home a win after Cyclone Gabrielle made all the hard work worth it.
Lana Chrystal and her dog Karla competing at the NZ championships in Warepa, Balclutha Photo: Rebecca Williams
