HARRINGTON — Mason Hay of Harrington won his second consecutive Grand Overall Showman award Tuesday night at the annual Livestock Extravaganza at the Delaware State Fair.

At only 16 years old, Mason has proven that he can compete with the older exhibitors for the biggest award an exhibitor can receive for showmanship.

The Livestock Extravaganza is held each year during the Tuesday of each fair week. A grand and reserve champion is chosen for each market animal species.

Another aspect of the event is choosing a Grand Overall Showman of all the species. Mason won Grand Champion Showman in the sheep department.

He was joined by the grand champion winners of the swine, beef and goat departments to compete for the overall title. The showmen have to show each of the four species and the judges pick who they think showed the species the best.

They do not get to use their own animals in the Overall Showman competition. This is difficult because they do not know what animals they will be given and the showman may have never shown that specific species before.

Mason has shown multiple species for 15 years. He currently shows lambs and pigs.

Throughout his years of raising livestock he has learned many lessons that have led him to all of his success in the show ring.

“Hard work and dedication can get you a long ways in life.” he said. “You have to keep going and do what you do best.”

Mason continues to do his best in the show ring with support from his family. On any show day, all of his family will be in the stands cheering on him and his sister.

Alexiana Hay is his younger sister and also shows livestock. They both help and push each other to be successful showmen.

Mason considers his biggest inspiration in the show ring to be his family. He comes from a family that was involved with the livestock industry and quickly grew the same love for livestock that has been with his family for a long time.

He also won Grand Champion Market Lamb at the Livestock Extravaganza and was awarded the Samuel Tatman III Memorial Trophy for his grand champion lamb.

The award is in honor of Hay’s late uncle Sammy Tatman. It was a very special moment for the family to win the award in honor of him.

Mason wants to continue to leave a mark on the livestock industry. He continues to help the younger generations of exhibitors grow as showmen.

He is very active outside of being a livestock exhibitor. He is the sentinel for the Lake Forest FFA chapter, the treasurer for the Peach Blossom 4-H Club, plays soccer for his school and enjoys hunting and fishing.

It takes a lot of time to become a very successful showman. Mason has found a good balance between his livestock and all the other activities to continue to be successful in not only his livestock but other aspects of his life.

“It takes a lot of time and hard work.” he said. “You will see it pay off eventually.”

More Delaware State Fair coverage at Delaware State Fair | Bay to Bay News.