GALLIPOLIS FERRY – The 2009 Mason County Fair was a great success and one last great experience for Megan Hatfield of Gallipolis Ferry.

This 20 year-old had one goal in mind for this year’s Master Market Showmanship.

“My main goal was to win this year,” Hatfield said. “I wanted it really bad.”

On Saturday morning, right before the Junior Livestock Sale, Hatfield walked out of the show ring a big winner with her check and trophy from Ohio Valley Bank.

“It was nice to win my last year. There were a lot of tears.” she said.

Hatfield has been involved in 4-H since she was nine years old. When she was younger, she remembers going to the fair to see the older kids show their animals. In 2001, she won her first Master Market Showmanship Award. She also won the same award in 2002, 2003, 2005 and this year, making it her fifth time winning the most prestigious award in the show ring. Additionally, she has won Junior Master Market Showmanship once and 10 regular Market Showmanship Awards.

The Master Market Showmanship division is only open to those who place first or second in their division. Then they can choose to be in the competition. Hatfield said she ‘highly encourages’ everyone to do Master Market Showmanship if given the chance.

“You have nothing to lose,” Hatfield said. And she is a great example that a lot can be gained from participating. By selling her animals and winning Showmanship Awards, Hatfield has been able to pay for most of her college already.

One difference Hatfield pointed out between regular Market Showmanship and Master Market Showmanship, is that in the regular division, the one showing the animal must know how to present their animal and in Master division, presentation counts, but having knowledge about the animal is very crucial. And one must show a lamb, hog, goat and feeder calf to be eligible. Judges, Hatfield explained, do not base their decision on the shape or size of the animal, but on the presence and knowledge displayed by each contestant.

Growing up on a farm, Hatfield enjoyed learning about animals and it ‘came easy’ to her she explained. Now she will be passing her knowledge and possibly her winning edge to her younger sisters.

The fair has always meant a lot to this community oriented young woman, especially the livestock show.

“The fair has kept me active in the community and I have learned tremendous responsibility and teamwork through being involved in showing animals,” Hatfield said.

What’s next for Hatfield? Not only will she being entering St. Mary’s School of Radiology next week, but she plans to continue to help other 4-H’ers and teach them about the in’s and out’s of showing market animals.

This five time winner of the Master Market Showmanship has set what seems to be an unbreakable record. Hatfield is humble, yet proud of what she has accomplished. And she definitely has the trophies and plaques to show it.

She is the daughter of Joe and Stephanie Hatfield of Gallipolis Ferry.