After an EF3 Tornado devastated Quail Run Horse Center, a popular show facility, the equestrian world pitched in to help in whatever way they could. With the money raised from the Go Fund Me campaign Marjory Berkache provided an update three weeks into recovery, thanking their blessings for lives spared and horses surviving the devastating destruction.

An F3 tornado has wind gust up to 165 mph and it made landfall during the second week of the well attended Omaha Equestrian Preview and Spectacular, a National-A rated hunter/jumper series. Fortunately no human casualties were encountered, but some of the horse have been injured from the debris and are still being triaged and evaluated by vets at this time.

Some of the show barns, the indoor and a lot of the infrastructures have been destroyed.

The orgarnizers and some of the competitors lost everything and the clean up process is going to be daunting.

Below is an update from Marjory on May 15th:

“It has been almost 3 weeks since the April 26th EF 3 tornado was a direct hit at Quail Run Horse Centre in Elkhorn, NE. First I would like to thank everyone for the emotional and financial support. Your kindness has made this disaster easier for all of us. We have welded pastures fencing, started to remove 10 acres of tree debris, clean debris and trash from 2 of our show arenas. The Grand Prix field took the biggest hit and will take more time to be considered safe for the horses. The volunteers from our community has been heartwarming and so helpful.

Although we do have insurance for buildings, the debris removal, pasture fencing, 3 show rings fencing and restoring pastures is not covered. We also lost 3 competition rings all set and ready for showing. A few of the show jumps stayed where they were but most of them flew away in the 165mph and 2 mile wide funnel.

We have extensive roof damage, siding and window damage, portable stall damage as well as show stall roof damage. Our indoor arena is now an open air arena with approximately 25% of the building missing. Most of the indoor footing will need to be replaced due to the amount of debris from the destruction. We lost a turnout shed from the pasture. Our judges booths, starter booths, and show office destroyed. The home on the property is a total loss also.

As we assess our situation and put one foot in front of the other to get back to a working operation, I can only thank God and all the angels in heaven watching over us. The storm was going to hit us, but it could have been so much worse. All humans were safe and only a few minor equine injuries.

I would like to thank my 3 boys, our horse show staff and crew, and especially our medic who kept us as safe as possible.

Below is the lane that you see when you drive in. Before and after. Hopefully we can make it a “before photo” again.”

If you would like to donate and support the recovery efforts at Quail Run Horse Centre – Visit their Go Fund Me page here.

In addition, The Omaha Equestrian Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable foundation, has also launched a tornado relief fund for equestrians impacted by the storm. Tax deductible donations can be made here.