STRING TRIALS

 

Background:  Handlers often find themselves needing to lead multiple pack llamas while on the trail. Experienced pack llamas are led single file with each animal connected in some manner to the one in front of it.  Strings may vary in length from two to half a dozen or more animals depending on many factors.  The experienced and trained llamas are expected to negotiate the trail and obstacles as if a handler is individually leading them. 

 

Trial Concept:  During the trail portion of a String Trial, two llamas are led by a single handler in a string configuration.  The String Trials test each individual llama's performance as it negotiates the trail course and obstacles as partnered with the other llama in the string.  String Trials may be held at any level.

 

Cautions:  String Trials will only be allowed if a Certifier is present for safety considerations.

 

Requirements: Two llamas will be led by one handler through the entire String Trial.  Both llamas must be registered with the PLTA and have already earned their certification at that trial level or higher to enter any stringed trial.  For instance, both llamas must have earned a Basic Pack Llama certification to participate in a Basic String Trial.  One entry fee ($5.00) will be charged per String, not per llama.

 

Participants in String Trials are required to use a chest strap on the lead llama if attaching the tied-in llama to the saddle of the lead llama.  All connections or tie-ins between llamas will be done with a quick release knot or breakaway system.  The Certifier will have the final say if the method of attachment between llamas is safe and therefore acceptable. This may include the length of the lead between the animals and the location and manner of attachment.  The certifier is to evaluate based on safety considerations only and not personal preferences.

 

The string team will individually complete the Manageability Tasks. The llamas will carry the same weight and negotiate the same course and obstacles that the Pack Trial for that level are using. The trial committee may conduct the String Trial concurrently with the Pack Trial at that level.  At the Master and Extreme levels, one obstacle will require the stringed llamas to be separated and individually led through the obstacle.  At the Basic and Advanced levels, an allowance for obstacle substitution or unstringing may be made at no more than one obstacle.

 

Position of each llama within the string is up to the handler and may be changed at any time by the handler.

 

Evaluation:  All trial regulations including disqualification criteria are relevant.  Each llama in the String team will be individually evaluated during the Manageability Tasks.  Each llama will also be evaluated for Performance Points deductions using the same criteria as for Pack Trials of the same level.  The allowable number of Performance Point deductions remains the same for the String Trials as for the Pack Trials of the same level.  However, since the String is acting as a team, if one llama loses all of it's points, then both fail. If the combination (sum of each llama's points) exceeds the minimum number of points to be deducted, then the entire String has failed. If the total sum of the Performance Points acquired by each llama are within the allowed limits for that level, then both llamas will have completed successfully one String Trial of the designated level.  Alternatively, if one llama disqualifies, then the entire String is disqualified.

 

Completion:  Two successful completions of the same String level trial are required for certification at that level.  The individual llamas will be tracked in the PLTA database so that if llama A and llama B successfully complete a String Trial as a team, and llama B and llama C successfully complete as a team in a subsequent String Trial at the same level, then llama B will have earned his String Certification at that time.  Llamas A and C will have both earned one of the two completions towards certification.  Certification allows the llamas to obtain the title Basic Pack String Llama, Advanced Pack String Llama, Master Pack String Llama, or Extreme Pack String Llama.  PLTA hat pins will be awarded accordingly.