Essjay Performance Horses

07/07/2026

Celebrating success at the 2026 Tropicana Classic

07/07/2026

What a fantastic week at the 2026 Tropicana Classic! 🤠🏆

We're back home and incredibly proud of what Covid Cat achieved across a range of events against some outstanding horse and rider combinations.

Results:
🥇 Mountain Horse Trading Non-Pro Hackamore Classic Champion
🥉 Kim Thake Saddles & Tack Open Hackamore Classic – 3rd Place
🤝 Killara Park All Age Non-Pro Two Handed Cow Horse – Co-Champion
🥈 Johnson's Natural Formula Non-Pro Reined Cow Horse Reserve Champion
🥈 Ricinda Ranch Quarter Horses Intermediate Horse Ranch Reining – 2nd Place
🥉 Signature Custom Floats All Age Open Ranch Cow Work – 3rd Place
🥈 Wyse Equine Super Ranch Horse Reserve Champion

A huge thank you to the incredible Tropicana Classic organising committee for once again putting together a first-class event. These competitions don't happen without the countless hours of work from volunteers behind the scenes, and it certainly doesn't go unnoticed.

Thank you also to the event sponsors for your continued support of our sport, and to the cattle suppliers for providing what was, in my opinion, the best line of cattle we've seen at Tropicana yet. They gave every competitor an outstanding opportunity to showcase their horses.

To those behind the scenes who have helped and supported myself and my horses, thank you
Top Gun Horse Training
CQ Equine Veterinary Service
Wide Bay Farrier Services
Dixon Saddlery

Finally, thank you to all of our fellow competitors. One of the things we love most about the Tropicana Classic is the friendly, supportive atmosphere. Whether you're cheering from the fence, lending a hand in the warm-up area or celebrating each other's successes, it's what makes this event one we look forward to every year.

Congratulations to all the winners and placegetters, and thank you to everyone who played a part in making the 2026 Tropicana Classic another memorable event.

We'll see you at the next one! 🐴💙

10/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day 💐

To the mums who feed horses / kids / family before themselves, ride through the chaos, and somehow keep everything moving — we see you.

Strong, selfless, and at the heart of it all.

Enjoy your day — you’ve earned it.

08/05/2026

🔥 UPDATE - SOLD 🔥
Essjay Shiny Alloy
2024 Chestnut Gelding
AQHA Rego: Q-105919

Sire: Branchvale Metal Alloy
Dam: Rhondhu Dapple Shine (Shining Sheriff x Ivory O Lena)

Athletic, quiet minded gelding bred to excel in the cowhorse, challenge and campdraft arenas.
“Charley” combines proven performance bloodlines with a kind, trainable nature and plenty of natural ability. He is correct, attractive and moves freely with the athleticism expected from both sides of his pedigree.

His dam, Rhondhu Dapple Shine, was successfully shown across Stockman’s Challenge, Reined Cow Horse and Snafflebit Cutting events with numerous wins and placings to her name. As a broodmare she consistently produces pretty, cowy progeny with talent and brains. Her standout offspring Shiny Kitty has already earned multiple Australian Reined Cow Horse titles along with successful results in the cutting and reining pens.

His sire, Branchvale Metal Alloy, is one of Australia’s exciting young performance sires — by legendary cutting sire Metallic Cat and out of Reys Little Hottie. Alloy has earnings in excess of $110,000 and has claimed major wins across cutting, challenge and campdraft events including: ▪️ 2023 Nutrien Classic Challenge Champion
▪️ 2024 ARBC Two Handed Cutting Winner
▪️ Open Futurity & Challenge Championships
▪️ Campdraft finalist performances at major Australian events

This gelding has all the ingredients to make a serious performance prospect while still being sensible enough to enjoy and develop. Ready to break in.

📍 Located: Rockhampton, QLD
📞 Jordyn Bentley – 0409 065 085
💲8️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ + GST

02/05/2026

28/04/2026

What a fortnight it’s been — 2,600km on the road, plenty of horses, and even more learning along the way.

We kicked things off at the Australian Reined Cow Horse Association Futurity Show at White Park in Scone.

Covid Cat put together a solid show:
🥈 Reserve Champion – Non Pro Derby
🔥 Highlight of the week: top score in the finals fence work with a 74
She also placed in the Non Pro Two Handed Cutting and knocked on the door of the finals in both the Open Derby and the Ultimate Cow Horse

While she wasn’t with me at Scone, Rhondhu Cracker Duck had a big moment of her own, taking out the 2025 Australian High Point Awards for both the Open and Non Pro Bridle Spectacular events — a great achievement.

A huge thank you to the ARCHA committee, volunteers, cattle donors and sponsors who make these events what they are — your effort doesn’t go unnoticed.

Ranch House Australia, Marsh Carney Saddlery, Hold Your Horses Promotions, Rob Leach Equine, Toprail Saddlery, Cinch Australia, Beljay Performance Horses, Mountain Horse Trading, Foxdale Cowhorses, Signature Equine Recovery, Wyse Equine, Ken Anderson Photography.

Straight off the back of the show, I stayed on for the 2-day NRCHA judging seminar with Sandie Collier. An outstanding educator — plenty of practical insight into the rules and judging system, and a lot to take away.

To round it all out, Katherine Patience Lyons and I headed back into Queensland for a ridden clinic with Sandie at Caboolture. That was the icing on the cake — bringing everything together in the saddle. Plenty of laughs, and definitely a few lightbulb moments along the way. Big thanks to Glenn Wyse for putting it all together.

Now… back to the real world.

06/03/2026

Ray White Rural Gracemere CQ Performance Horse Sale
LOT 31 – ESSJAY REYALITY CHECK
Owned by Essjay Performance Horses

If you’re looking for a young prospect with pedigree, presence and a great mind, Essjay Reyality Check deserves your attention. This quality bay gelding combines elite cutting bloodlines with a trainable temperament that will stand him well in any performance program.

Sired by NRR Cat King Cole, a stallion with over $230,000 in earnings and more than $2 million in progeny earnings - his progeny are proving themselves to be true contenders across the cutting, cowhorse and campdraft arenas.

On the dam side, he is out of Yulgilbar Elegant Rey, a daughter of Dual Rey and Winderadeen Pure Elegance - producer of a number of successful cutters.

Correct, well handled and displaying a mature nature beyond his age, Essjay Reyality Check has the temperament and pedigree to suit a wide range of disciplines including cutting, cow horse, campdrafting or performance ranch work. With his strong genetic foundation and willing attitude, he presents as an exciting prospect for anyone looking to invest in their next performance horse.

Being offered for sale through the Ray White Rural Gracemere – CQ Performance Horse Sale
Preworks: Friday 27th March – 1:00pm
Sale: Friday 27th March – 7:00pm

Pre sale enquiries contact Jordyn Bentley – 0409 065 085