World YWCA Day 2019: Women changing power structures

How did you get into this field?

Setting up a riding school was a totally unexpected opportunity. I became a jockey through my friend/mentor Patricia Norelli. She had horses racing in Bangalore and I was this very wild and carefree young rider, with two ex-racehorses as pets!

I started my racing career in 1993 and started to develop the Embassy riding school in 1996. For many years I managed these professions side-by-side without ever thinking ‘how will I manage’ nor did I feel that I had a choice.

(Silva won her first Derby in the 2003 Hyderabad Derby with Brown Sugar and the Mysore Derby 2004 with Full Speed.)

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

In the race course, as a jockey, I had to manage both emotions and challenges on a daily basis... and I loved the beautiful horses who are supreme athletes; I also loved the extreme adrenaline running through your veins every day while riding them!

As a Director of the most prestigious riding school in the country, it has been a real challenge to help this sport grow from a little kiddy hobby to a full-fledged career opportunity for aspiring young riders. I totally enjoy the pressure of hosting high-end equestrian shows and training with young horses.

What were the challenges of working in a male-dominated environment?

Learning not to fall prey to your own undermining and insecurity, especially when everyone around you laughs at you and does not believe in your capabilities.

I was always a very aggressive and determined person. When someone pushes me, I instinctively fight back. I never perceived myself as a “little woman”. I always thought of myself as “one of them”.

Did you have to make many sacrifices along the way?

The full journey is one big sacrifice. But you enjoy the process and the end results.

What do you see as your most notable achievements?

As a jockey, to be the only woman to have won 3 classics, 2 Derbys and one 1000 Guineas.

As a Director, it’s been incredible to build riders into super-athletes and going out there in the international arena and having our rider and the team winning the Silver medal at the Asian Games last August. It was fantastic to see the Indian flag up after so many years in such a prestigious event.

What advice would you give young women who wish to take up careers that have very few women in them?

Be yourself and follow your instincts.

Do enough research and be up to the challenge.

What would you tell your younger self?

Over the years I have learned not to expend all my energy over something that does not go the way I want. I have started communicating much more and giving employees greater leverage to understand and change if necessary.

What does the world you work in need more of?

True horsemanship! People around horses still lack the sensitivity and the ability to understand a horse’s body language and needs. Too often, they are looked upon as motorbikes.

Who is Silva Storai out of the saddle?

A total nature and animal freak. I love taking photos of them and through that medium I am able to connect with the inner self.