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Using PLTA Standards as a Benchmark
The Pack Llama Trial Association, Inc., (PLTA) is a national non-profit corporation created in 1998 as a way to test and recognize pack llama competency. Llamas are tested against a written standard during field trials staged in a realistic packing environment.
For many years Burns Llama Trailblazers has used PLTA certification as a way to document the abilities of our llamas. Because certification is done by an outside organization with stringent standards, a purchaser of one of our llamas can be confident of our claims for the animal.
 The PLTA's objective is to recognize llamas that can fulfill the llama packers' needs on the trail by performing in a manner consistent with the demands of actual packing conditions. The intent is not to confront the llama with unrealistic or trick problems, but rather to test the llama's natural ability and acquired training. These tests use obstacles found in normal packing conditions.
Four levels of certification, Basic, Advanced, Master, and Elite, are available. Each of these can further test a llama's skills by being undertaken in a string. Completing the Basic level demonstrates minimal packing requirements. Advanced certification requires more rigorous training and conditioning for moderate packing requirements, while the Master level is for the well trained llama and owners that have serious packing requirements. The Elite showcases the true athletes of the llama world.
As a measure of our success, we expect all our males and geldings to earn a Master Pack Llama certificate from the Pack Llama Trial Association (PLTA), a process that requires at least four years of training and conditioning. Selected males are further conditioned to earn the ultimate Elite Pack Llama certificate. Females earn at least a Basic Pack Llama certificate and, if they are not busy raising crias, an Advanced certificate.
Certification is also available for strings of two llamas. These titles are awarded at each level. Requirements are the same as for single llamas except that string llamas tackle obstacles as a team. At Burns Llama trailblazers we strive to certify our llamas at the string level. Herd sires are required to complete this certification.
Please see the PLTA Pack Trial Handbook for a complete explanation of certification requirements. |
Basic Pack Trial (BPL) Cetification Requirements
The Basic pack trial tests early stages of training and conditioning against minimal packing requirements.
| Criterion |
Requirements |
| Age |
Minimum age of 24 months, 24 to 30 months carries no load |
| Load (percent of body weight) |
0 - 10% of body weight |
| Distance |
Three miles |
| Elevation Gain |
250 to 500 feet |
| Total Number of Obstacles Required |
Five |
| Performance Deductions Allowed |
Five |
| Successful Trials Required for Certificate |
Two, including one carrying weight |
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Advanced Pack Trial (APL) Certification Requirements
Advanced trials are designed to test a llama's ability to deal with a moderately demanding packing environment.
| Criterion |
Requirements |
| Age |
At least 3 years old |
| Load (percent of body weight) |
15% of body weight |
| Distance |
Five miles |
| Elevation Gain |
750 to 1000 feet |
| Total Number of Obstacles Required |
Ten |
| Performance Deductions Allowed |
Three |
| Successful Trials Required for Certificate |
Four, or three if the llama has a Basic Certificate |
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String Pack Llama Certification Requirements
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PLTA String Pack Trials test the packing scenario of a single handler leading pair of llamas in single file on the trail with each animal connected to the one in front of it. Trials consist of the same courses as for individual llamas with the corresponding weight requirements, obstacles and time windows. In a String Trial the llamas are required to work together and, with the exception of obstacles that require pannier removal, remain in the string while negotiating obstacles.
Performance deductions can be accrued by the handler or by either llama and are combined for a team total. The allowed performance deductions are the same as for an individual trial. In other words, if the total deductions for the team exceed the deductions allowed for the trial, the entire team is disqualified.
Two successful trial completions are required for string certification at a given level. |
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Page update: 28JAN2022
Most recent website update: 02FEB2022
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