A champion. A best friend. Our Queen.

Help Bring
Melly Home.

She 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.

Meet The Queen ↓

Meet Imperial Melody

“At only 15.3 hands — with new shoes on — nobody ever told Melly she was small. Or maybe they did. She just didn't care.”

To the world, she's an extraordinary horse. To Cody, she's so much more. She's Melly. Melly Belly. The Queen. And right now, she needs a community to rally behind her.

Cody standing close beside Melly at a horse show

More than a horse

A partnership built on a lifetime of trust.

Cody brought Melly into his life when she was just two. Together, they grew, travelled, represented Canada, and competed at the five-star level in Three-Day Eventing — facing fences most of us wouldn't want to stand beside.

She was fearless in the start box, all heart on the course, and always ready to give Cody everything she had.

But the medals and milestones aren't what make her irreplaceable. It's her stubborn spirit, her unmistakable personality, and the way she insists the entire world exists to serve The Queen — preferably with treats.

“She's not just his horse. She's his girl.”

Horse Sport magazine cover featuring Cody Sturgess and Melly

Cody & Melly featured on the cover of Horse Sport.

Small horse. Extraordinary heart.

She gave him everything she had.

Melly carried Cody to the highest level of their sport and represented Canada alongside him. Every time he asked her to leave the start box, she answered with courage.

Cody and Melly competing together over a cross-country fence

The challenge ahead

Then came a discovery no one expected.

After three episodes of colic over the past year, Cody knew something wasn't right. Further investigation revealed a large, freely mobile mass inside Melly's abdomen. Exactly what it is remains unknown.

Cody has spent months speaking with veterinary teams across North America, researching options, and making one thing non-negotiable: Melly's quality of life comes first.

Today, she's still bright, eating, happy, and as opinionated as ever. As far as The Queen is concerned, everyone is being dramatic.

That spark is why Cody wants to give her this chance.

Cody riding Melly at an equestrian event

A plan. A possibility. A chance.

The road to bringing Melly home.

Cody has chosen Penn Vet's New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania. Specialists will reassess the mass, evaluate a compromised hind limb, and determine the safest approach to treatment. If the mass can be safely removed, the team will remove it and investigate what it is.

01 · The Journey

Travel from Ontario to Pennsylvania, with specialist evaluations and diagnostic testing.

02 · The Treatment

Veterinary care, potential surgery, hospitalization, and medications.

03 · The Recovery

Post-treatment care and approximately four to six weeks of planned rehabilitation.

Remove the mass if it's safe. Help her recover. Bring The Queen home.

The heart behind the story

Get to know Melly.

Behind every great partnership is a story worth telling. Watch, meet The Queen, and see why she means so much.

Every act of kindness matters

This time, Cody needs our help.

Cody has shown up for others countless times. Now, the costs of giving Melly this chance are more than one person can carry alone.

$30,000

Fundraising goal

Donations will help cover transportation, diagnostics, specialists, potential surgery, hospitalization, medication, and rehabilitation. Any funds beyond Melly's actual expenses will be directed to equine cancer research at Penn Vet / New Bolton Center.

Donations are sent by e-transfer through Garden of Eden Autism Retreat Center (GOEARC).

Follow along

The Queen's Journey Home.

We're bringing everyone who supports Melly along for the journey. Check back here for updates as her story unfolds.

Where we are now

Preparing for the journey

Melly's care plan includes specialist evaluations at New Bolton Center and a potential path to surgery and rehabilitation. We will share confirmed updates as they become available.

Next update

News from Pennsylvania

We'll post an update once there is more to share from Melly's veterinary team.

Let's bring the Queen home

“She spent a lifetime carrying Cody. Now it's our turn to help carry them.”

We can't promise how this story ends. But we can come together to give Melly a chance — with her wellbeing guiding every decision.

Can't donate? Sharing Melly's story can make a difference too.

Help BringMelly Home.