Melly carried Cody over some of the biggest jumps in the sport. Now he’s fighting to carry her through the biggest challenge of her life.

If you know Cody, chances are you know Melly.

Imperial Melody — affectionately known as Melly, Melly Belly, or simply “The Queen.”

Cody got Melly when she was just two years old. Since then, they’ve grown up together, travelled together, represented Canada together, and competed at the 5-star level in Three-Day Eventing — tackling some of the biggest fences in the sport.

At only 15.3hh (with new shoes on), nobody ever told Melly she was small.

Or maybe they did. She just didn’t care.

She had the heart of a lion when she left the start box. She loved to jump, loved to compete, and when Cody asked, she gave him everything she had.

But her accomplishments aren't really why Cody loves her.

She's his horse.

She's opinionated, unbelievably tough, completely unapologetic and has spent years reminding everyone that we are basically here to serve The Queen and provide treats on demand.

And after everything she's given Cody, he refuses to give up on her while she is still telling him she's not ready to give up either.

~ We Found Something We Never Expected ~

Over the past year, Melly experienced three episodes of colic. After the third, Cody knew something wasn't right and kept pushing for answers.

Eventually, veterinarians discovered a large, freely mobile mass inside her abdomen.

Because of its location and movement, getting answers hasn't been straightforward. We still don't know exactly what it is.

Cody has spent months gathering records, researching, asking questions and speaking with veterinary teams across North America — always with one thing guiding every decision:

Melly's quality of life comes first.

And right now, Melly is bright. She's eating. She's happy. She's pushing Cody around.

She's completely, unmistakably Melly.

As far as The Queen is concerned, we're all being dramatic.

That's why Cody wants to give her this chance while she still feels this good.

We Finally Have a Plan

After an extensive search, Cody has chosen to take Melly from Ontario to Penn Vet's New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania, where a team of specialists will reassess the mass, evaluate a compromised hind limb, and determine the safest approach to surgery and recovery.

If the mass can be safely removed, they'll remove it and finally determine exactly what we're dealing with.

After surgery, Melly is expected to remain at New Bolton before transferring to a rehabilitation facility for approximately four to six weeks.

The goal is simple:

Remove the mass. Get her safely through recovery. Bring The Queen home.

~ This Time, Cody Needs Our Help ~

Anyone who knows Cody knows asking for help doesn't come naturally to him.

I've watched him show up again and again when other people, animals and causes needed help. He's organized fundraisers, donated, rallied people together and helped without expecting anything back.

But this time, the mountain is simply too big to climb alone.

Transportation to Pennsylvania, diagnostics, specialists, surgery, hospitalization, medications and rehabilitation are expected to cost approximately $30,000.

So this time, I'm asking for him.

I'm asking the people who know Cody, those who have followed Melly's career, the equestrian community, animal lovers, and anyone who understands what it means to have that one animal who changes your life:

Please help Cody give Melly this chance.

Every donation — no matter the amount — gets them one step closer to Pennsylvania and one step closer to bringing her home.

And if you can't donate, please share her story. That share may put Melly in front of the person who can help.

~ You're Coming With Us ~

Cody wants everyone who helps Melly to come along for the journey.

We'll share the trip to Pennsylvania, her evaluations, the decisions, surgery, recovery, rehabilitation — and hopefully the update we're all waiting for:

The Queen is coming home. ❤️

We can't promise how this story ends. There may be setbacks and difficult decisions along the way.

What we can promise is that Melly's wellbeing will guide every decision.

Any funds raised beyond Melly's actual medical, transportation and rehabilitation expenses will be donated to Penn Vet/New Bolton Center to support equine cancer research.

She Gave Him Everything She Had

Melly carried Cody over fences most of us wouldn't even want to stand beside.

He's not asking her for another competition.

He's not asking for another five-star.

He's not asking her for one more jump.

He's asking for the chance to bring his girl home.

She spent a lifetime carrying Cody.

Now it's our turn to help carry them.

Let's Bring The Queen Home. ❤️

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Lindsay Kuipers