Inside Silva Storai's Riding Philosophy, Where 105 Horses and Good Vibes Keep the Dream Alive

Under Silva Storai's expertise at the Embassy International Riding School in Bengaluru, horses don't just fill stables-they shape routines, relationships, and careers. With more than 105 horses and a packed daily schedule, the school runs like a living ecosystem where patience, discipline, and instinct define success.

For Storai, who spent 17 years as India's only female jockey and won multiple classics, this space is more than a training ground. It is where experience meets the next generation-and where the sport continues to evolve through people willing to learn the craft properly.

"Yeah, I'm at the riding school as always," she says. "I think, you know, I'm always here. We have more than 105 horses and it's like a full-time operation."

Why Bengaluru Became the Perfect Base

Climate, according to Storai, plays a bigger role in equestrian sport than most people realize. While several Indian cities struggle with extreme weather, Bengaluru offers conditions that allow the Embassy International Riding School's horses and riders to train more consistently.

"Bangalore is just the best if you have to train horses in a city. I think Bangalore is an ideal place, apart from the months which are coming up now like April and May. The rest of the year, we have the climate to have sporty people train, you know."

She pointed out how difficult conditions in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai can limit training hours and affect an animal's recovery.

"Yeah, especially when you are in a place like, let's say, Chennai, Mumbai, or Delhi, it's very extreme. When it's too hot, you might only be able to ride for an hour or an hour and a half in the morning, maybe another hour and a half in the evening, and the horses look pretty miserable."

For a sport where the animal's well-being is central, that difference can define performance outcomes.

The Riding School Philosophy: Horses Come First

While the Embassy International Riding School handles riders across all age groups and experience levels, Storai's philosophy is clear-the horse must always remain the priority.

"I love horses, and for me, horses come first. Then, everything else will arrange itself in a very organic way."

Instead of directly coaching daily riding sessions, she focuses on strategy and experience-based guidance while instructors handle routine training.

"That is not my job. I have four instructors here and they themselves compete at the national level. They are the ones that coach all these varieties of young kids."

Her role, she explains, comes into play when it is time to plan competition strategies or assess readiness. "So, I come into the picture more when we talk strategy for the next show or things like this."

Horsemanship-The Skill India Still Needs to Master

Beyond technical riding ability, Storai repeatedly stressed the importance of horsemanship-the deeper relationship between rider and horse.

"What distinguishes us from Europe or America, that are so much ahead of us... out there, you do the job yourself. Everybody will have a horse."

She believes Indian riders often miss out on the daily routines that create stronger bonds with animals-routines that include feeding, cleaning, and caring for the horse independently. "The connection is so much deeper." That gap, she suggested, continues to influence performance standards.

Lessons From a Career in Racing

Storai's perspective is shaped by years spent in competitive racing, where she became the only woman jockey in India for nearly two decades and achieved milestone victories.

"I was the only woman jockey in India for 17 years, and I was the only woman jockey to win two derbies and one classic."

From those years came a philosophy that still defines her outlook on competition: "Well, you are only as good as your last race-that is what I was told when I was racing. It doesn't matter even if you win a derby; you've got one more race and one more challenge."

For riders under her system, that mindset encourages consistency rather than complacency.

Understanding Horses: The True Partnership

One of the most striking parts of Storai's journey has been her deep belief that horse riding is unlike any other sport because of the living partner involved.

"What makes it so exceptional is to have this living being with whom you have to perform as a partner."

She described horses as highly sensitive to human emotion, reacting instantly to a rider's mindset. "Horses are so telepathic that the moment you sit on them, they know if you are afraid, if you are happy, or if you are relaxed. It's instant."

That responsiveness, she believes, makes equestrian sport uniquely demanding-but also deeply rewarding.

A Wild First Ride That Started Everything

Her own entry into the sport began with what she described as a chaotic first experience at the age of 13.

"I had never sat on a horse; I'd only seen them on TV or in books."

Despite having no experience, she convinced instructors to let her join a group ride-something she now laughs about. "I was hanging on the horse's neck and I could hear the instructor freaking out," she laughed.

But what mattered most was not technique-it was fearlessness. "The only ingredient of the whole experience was that I was not scared at all. I love the adrenaline."

The Challenges Facing Equestrian Sport in India

While the school continues to produce strong riders, Storai acknowledges that equestrian sport in India still faces structural challenges-particularly in terms of access and awareness.

"Mostly only economically well-off kids can afford horse riding because it is an expensive sport."

Cost remains one of the biggest barriers to wider participation, limiting exposure for many talented athletes. At the same time, she believes the country has enormous untapped potential. "We have so much talent in India."

She also pointed to a gradual cultural shift, with more families now recognizing the value of sport alongside academics. "Maybe five or ten years back, things started shifting where Indian parents started giving priority to their kids' sports."

Passion Still Drives the Journey

Even after decades in the sport, Storai's connection to horses remains rooted in passion rather than routine. "Exactly. What keeps you motivated? It's only your passion and your deep love for what you're doing."

That love is what keeps her returning to the stables every day, long after her competitive career ended. For Silva Storai, the riding school is not just about producing riders; it is about building relationships, nurturing discipline, and preserving a way of working with horses that defines the true spirit of the sport.