Area V’s Feather Creek Farm Devastated by Tornado

Feather Creek Farm’s flattened indoor arena. Photo via Riley Lackey on Facebook.

Beloved Area V eventing facility Feather Creek Farm in Norman, Oklahoma suffered debilitating damage from an EF2 tornado on Sunday evening. Thankfully no horses or humans at the farm were injured, but owner Dynah Korhummel and the local eventing community now face a long and expensive rebuild process as structures throughout the facility have been decimated and the property littered with debris.

A drone video posted by a local meteorologist shows the extensive destruction across the farm:

The footage shows the damage to the home on the property, the indoor arena leveled and its debris scattered throughout the fields, and the roof of the upper barn ripped cleanly off (scroll to the bottom of this post for a closer look at this barn), among numerous other damaged structures, fences, and components of the facility. Two horses were released on Sunday night just before their barn collapsed and all other equine residents of the property have been in the process of being relocated as quickly as possible yesterday.

One of the most immediate needs is assistance with cleanup of the property. Anyone in the area who is able to donate time and energy to help can text Fran Olsen Sharp at (405) 301-6275. For anyone within the greater evening community able to contribute financially, this GoFundMe, created by Miranda Hassler, was set up to collect funds that will go directly to Dynah for the specific purposes of rebuilding Feather Creek Farm, repairing her home, and making up for the farm’s lost income.

Situated just 35 miles south of Oklahoma City, Feather Creek Farm has been an invaluable resource to the Area V community. The farm hosted 23 USEA recognized horse trials between the years of 2009-2020 – the only recognized events in the state – and continues to provide the local community with first-rate schooling and clinic opportunities.

Dynah, a lifelong rider who was long-listed by Team Canada for the 1984 Los Angeles and 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games before settling in Oklahoma, has poured her heart and soul into the development of the facility since closing on its purchase in early 2008. About twenty years prior the property had been known as Tipasa under ownership of US Team rider Mike Huber, before it fell into disrepair in the hands of its post-Mike and pre-Dynah owner.

Most recently, Dynah partnered with the Carolina Horse Park to bring the War Horse Event Series, an acclaimed schooling show series which focuses on education and safety, out west. Feather Creek Farm is scheduled to offer shows in April and September/October this year. Cross country course designer Cathy Wieschhoff had been hard at work over the winter adding new jumps and refreshing the courses, which would include a newly added Modified track.

Amidst the immediate aftermath, there is currently no word on whether the April show will go forward. EN will keep you posted as we receive updates on both the War Horse Event Series and ways you can support the Feather Creek Farm eventing family.