It was some kind of a karmic connection that lured 17-year-old Italian Silva Storai to India in 1978. Kodaikanal became her new home and there she found love and married Eddie Joseph, an artist based in the hill station.
Soon the teenager got her own horses and her love for speed encouraged her to pursue her passion of horse racing. And from there it was no looking back for Silva who has acquired the stature of being India’s only professional woman jockey and the only woman jockey in the world to have won two derbys.
“I decided to pursue horse racing and shifted my base to Bangalore,” said Silva. “My partnership with Irfan Ghatala, who was my trainer, lasted for 16 years.”
It has not been an easy journey for Silva but she considers herself lucky. She agrees with the stereotypical notion that it is difficult for a woman to walk into a man-dominated field.
“It is very tough for a woman jockey. I think it is more so in India. But I can definitely say with experience that women can compete alongside men,” said a confident Silva.
She gave an example. “When you win a race, the credit goes to the horse and if you lose, you are a bad rider.” A lose-lose situation is what she calls it. But that didn’t hamper her spirit and she continued to trot on the other side to prove herself.
Silva is in the city for the Raymond National and Junior National Equestrian Championship, the first such show being held at the Mahalakshmi Race course for youngsters. The event comprises horse jumping, show jumping, tent pegging, cross country and six bar jumping among other interesting equestrian activities.
Children raging between 10 and 21 can participate.
A popular name in the Bangalore Turf club, Silva has participated in thousands of races. She won the 2003 Hyderabad Derby with Brown Sugar and the Mysore Derby 2004 with Full Speed.“It’s a brilliant feeling to win a derby,” said Silva.
Silva explained the difference between equestrian and other sports. “In other sports, an individual’s merit matters the most. But in horse racing, obviously, the animal is an integral part but the rider is also important. Without one, the other cannot perform.”
Silva established the Embassy International Riding School in 1996. The school is run by experienced instructors from UK, personally selected by Silva. But a change in the designation does not mean that she has hung her boots up. She still heads to race course early in the morning to ride for a good three hours.
“My day does not begin if I don’t ride in the morning.”
Silva has also noticed a change in the horse racing circuit.
“Till 2004, all those parents who used to enrol their kids in the school were foreigners — expats living in Bangalore. There were hardly any Indian kids. “Come 2005, and there has been an amazing transformation. Now, a lot of Indian parents are registering their children. They have become aware of the sport and are ready to go that extra mile for their child,” said a beaming Silva.
source: http://www.dnaindia.com / Home> Sport> Report / Daily News & Analysis / by Namita Handa / Mumbai, Tuesday, December 20th, 2011