“Makenn Progress is one of the nicest horses I have ever put through the Sale and through the Classic”.
~Rob Leach (Trainer)

Makenn Progress carries the genetics of generations of elite performance horses. His dam, Jabell Shakera Spin, is an exceptional mare with earnings exceeding $100,000 (as of 2025). Her outstanding career includes winning the 2021 Sydney Royal World Championship Campdraft and being crowned 2018 ABCRA Open Horse of the Year.

Progress’s sire, Hazelwood Congressman, needs no introduction and adds further depth, bringing a pedigree stacked with champions and influential campdraft bloodlines.

For Grant Whatham and Garry Edwards, that pedigree alone was enough reason to pay attention when a young colt entered the Nutrien Sale pre-works in 2023. The stunning three-year-old buckskin stood out, carrying himself with maturity beyond his age—naturally collected, with length of rein, good-bone, and beautiful conformation. They could see he travelled smoothly and possessed every athletic quality you’d want in a future campdraft sire.

They had been searching for a new prospect, though they hadn’t planned on buying a colt. However, knowing the dam well and having watched her compete for years, they couldn’t ignore what they saw in Progress.

Progress was purchased by Maureen Pastoral, a partnership between Grant and his wife, Michelle, and Garry and Edwina Edwards.

While they wanted a top competition horse first and foremost, they approached stallion ownership with intention. “We don’t want to own a stallion for the sake of it – they have to be a good one,” Grant said.

Progress had been started and trained by Rob Leach. He returned to Rob, but the plan was to give the young horse plenty of time to mature, avoiding the temptation to rush him into the competition arena. Instead of heading back to the following year’s Nutrien Classic, he continued to be brought along slowly, and his training with Rob was complemented with general riding and stock work with Grant.

Progress promptly won a Maiden draft with a 90-point run and returned to the Classic as a 5yo in 2025. A novice win followed after a handful of starts in Spring 2025, and Progress is primed and ready for a strong future. True to his name, Grant said, “He gives you a little more every time you ride him – he continues to progress.”

Progress’s owners are understandably excited about his future. “We have high hopes for him”. Grant said. “He has everything. He is cool and calm but has a lot of try. He’s soft to ride, neat in everything he does, and always looks good no matter what you ask of him. He’s comfortable, smooth-travelling, and cowy. There isn’t anything not to like about him.”

As a sire, Makenn Progress is already showing his promise. His first foals arrived in 2024.  They are impeccable types just like their sire. With his elite pedigree, proven performance, and outstanding temperament, he offers exceptional genetics to the next generation.

Makenn Progress is a stallion with the whole package: pedigree, performance, presence, and a truly exciting future.

As a sire, Makenn Progress is already showing his promise. His first foals arrived in 2024.  They are impeccable types just like their sire. With his elite pedigree, proven performance, and outstanding temperament, he offers exceptional genetics to the next generation.

WATCH THIS SPACE!

2024

• Buladahdelah Novice Rd1 (88).  [View Video on Facebook]
• ASHS National Campdraft Championships. Maiden Draft Rd2 (88) [View Video on Facebook]
• NCHA 4CYTE Futurity campdraft =3rd (Top scorer in the final) with Rob Leach. [View Reel on Facebook]

2023

• Promotional Video for 2023 Nutrien Classic.  [View Video on Facebook]