Unlike most riders competing at an International level, Melanie's journey with horses started in an unconventional way. At 14, she had a pony for two years, but circumstances led to her being sold when her mom moved to the big city, unable to afford her upkeep.

Without a horse, Melanie found solace at Centennial Park Stables, where she would spend hours petting and sniffing horses. Eventually, constant visits earned her an out-of-school hours stable job with no pay – an opportunity she eagerly embraced just to be around these majestic creatures.

At 26, after years of saving, Melanie purchased her first horse, marking the beginning of her eventing journey. However, her fear of jumping led her to quickly switch to dressage. Eight years of joyous competition came to a halt with a serious spinal cord injury in 2009. The prognosis was grim – she was told she would never ride again. Yet, driven by her stubborn determination, she defied the odds and, through intense physio and sheer will, mounted a horse again in 2014, albeit at a limited capacity.

That moment was transformative, and she set her sights on returning to medium-level dressage at a national level. In 2018, Equine Pathways Australia and Julia Battams entered her life, igniting the flame of Paralympic Dressage dreams.

With the support of Julia, the EPA, and Mel's long-term coach and mentor Antony Bartlett, Melanie worked tirelessly, aiming for her first International Competition by the end of 2019. The experience was invaluable, solidifying her commitment to this path. Despite the challenges posed by COVID, she trained rigorously at home, keeping her focus on the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

In 2022, Melanie resumed competition until April 2023, where she proudly became the undefeated Australian Champion. However, an unexpected accident in July 2023 brought another spinal cord injury. Despite assumptions of a campaign-ending setback, her determination prevailed.

With intensive physio, training, and mindset coaching, Melanie set her sights on the last three Qualification Events in February, April, and June 2024. Unfortunately, funds initially allocated for her campaign were redirected to spinal surgery to secure her physical capabilities long-term. Being a single mum, her role as a mother is her first priority, with the ability to ride a close second.

Asking for help isn't easy for her, but as she's personally funded her entire campaign thus far, she humbly seeks financial assistance to chase her dream. Your contribution, if you choose to assist, will go towards competition fees, interstate travel costs, and accomodation for the 3 Qualifying events this year, in the hope of being selected for the team.

All donations over $2 are fully tax-deductible. Join Melanie on this incredible journey, and together, let's turn dreams into reality. Thank you for being a crucial part of her journey.