IMPORTANT UPDATE
The El Gezira Tornado – A Community Rises from the Wreckage
On December 28th, 2023, a devastating tornado—now known among us as The El Gezira Tornado—tore through our beloved farm, leaving behind a trail of destruction we could have never imagined.
We were set to host a horse show that very morning. As attendees began to arrive, the full extent of the storm’s impact came into view: over 40 trees down, barns buried beneath debris, fences flattened, and roofs ripped from buildings. One tree crushed an employee's car, and another fell into a stall while a horse stood inside. Miraculously, the horse was unharmed.
The storm caused catastrophic damage to our arena, our barn roofs, the clubhouse, the bunk room, and the apartment housing. Some structures were barely recognizable. The property was rendered unrideable, inaccessible in places, and our plans for events and boarder accommodations came to a sudden halt.
But in the wake of disaster, something extraordinary happened.
Within hours, volunteers poured in from across Alabama—and beyond. Neighbors, fellow trainers, horse owners, and even strangers who had never visited El Gezira showed up with gloves, chainsaws, food, and support. They cleared fallen trees, pulled insulation from the pastures, and ensured the safety of our horses with relentless care and dedication.
A disaster relief team soon followed, bringing incredible manpower and spirit. They restored fence lines, opened up access roads, and made the property safe again. But without heavy equipment, the arena remains untouched—a painful symbol of all we’ve lost and the biggest hurdle in returning to full operations.
Our lesson program is still running strong, but we are currently closed to new boarders until further notice while we continue to rebuild.
We need your help.
Reconstructing the arena is essential—not only for our horses and riders but for our ability to host events, teach lessons year-round, and serve the community that has given us so much. Every donation, share, and word of support brings us one step closer to recovery.
We’re not giving up—and we hope you won’t give up on us.
Stay connected for updates, fundraisers, and ways to help. El Gezira is more than a riding academy—it’s a family, and we’re so grateful to everyone who has stood by our side.
To Donate to El Gezira, please call:
Pamela Ibrahim: (205) 907-8300
Amanda Westbrook: (205) 531-4891
In Loving Memory of Galal Abdullah
1948 – 2018
It is with deep love and enduring respect that we remember Galal Mohammed Abdullah, co-founder of El Gezira Riding Academy, esteemed horseman, and beloved mentor. Galal’s legacy is woven into every pasture, every lesson, and every rider who passes through our gates.
A lifelong equestrian and international show jumper, Galal brought unmatched knowledge, discipline, and passion to the art of horsemanship. But more than his accolades, Galal was known for his generosity, his patience, and his belief in every rider’s potential—whether they were stepping into the stirrups for the first time or preparing for the show ring.
He was not just a trainer—he was a visionary. Alongside Pam, he helped build El Gezira into a place where students become family, where horses are partners, and where the values of respect, responsibility, and compassion are taught as surely as the riding itself.
Galal's influence continues to guide our programs, shape our teaching, and inspire our riders. He believed horsemanship was about far more than riding—it was about character, care, and heart. That spirit lives on in every student he taught, every horse he loved, and every corner of El Gezira.
We miss him every day, but we carry him with us—in the rhythm of hoofbeats, in the laughter shared at the barn, and in the dreams he helped so many achieve.
Forever in the saddle, forever in our hearts.
