The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo has its 2015 Grand Champion.
Judge Dr. Dan Shike, from the University of Illinois, selected "Bob Marley" from the six division champions to be this year's grand champion.
As for how the 1,350 pound steer from Round Rock got his Reggae-inspired name, owner Madelyn Priesmeyer explained it goes back to when he was much smaller.
"When we’d wash him he had long ear hair and it looked like dreadlocks like Bob Marley. I guess that’s where it came from," Priesmeyer said.
Priesmeyer was thrilled at just doing well in her class of steers at the stock show, but was clearly excited at being named grand champion.
"This is incredible, this is like the big show," she said. "I'm kind of freaking out right now."
There were more than 29,000 livestock scheduled to pass through the Will Rogers Memorial Complex for this year's stock show. There were more than 1,400 steers exhibiting in the junior show this year, but there is just one grand champion.
But in the Priesmeyer family, there is more than just one grand champion.
"Me and my sister showed here like 30 years ago," said Madelyn's father, Ed Priesmeyer. "We each won this show in 1986 and 1988 and never thought this dream would happen for her, but it finally did."
Ed Priesmeyer said his daughter had a good run with a Hereford about 10 years ago, but hadn't done as well until this year. Madelyn has been coming to the Fort Worth Stock Show since she was eight years old.
Bob Marley will head to the auction ring on Saturday morning, where recent grand champions sold for right at or just above $200,000.
"Most of it is going to go to college and more steer stuff for my brother next year," Madelyn said.
The Fort Worth Stock Show said her father received $30,000 at the auction in 1986 for his 1,245 pound European Cross steer. Two years later, Madelyn's aunt Vicki received $35,000 at auction for her 1,275 pound European Cross steer, which was purchased by Stripling & Cox.
"We’ve done this before, but it’s been a long time," Ed Priesmeyer said. "We weren’t expecting it, but it's great."
The Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate anticipates more than $3 million has been raised for this year's sale. It takes place at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the West Arena.
The Reserve Grand Champion also has a musically familiar name, J.Z.. Although not spelled like the famous rapper, Jay-Z, it's certainly close enough. In another unique coincidence, Feb. 6, 2015, would have been the musician Bob Marley's 70th birthday.
