Being female is a challenge

THE CHALLENGES both have faced are similar. Both know what it’s like to be thrown from a horse.

“The first time I fell off a horse, the horse kicked me in my side, but when I went home, my father rubbed it with some relief pain gel. He told me not to go back the next day. But I went behind his back and I [am here],” Ward said.

Both say that the biggest challenge is being a woman. Their detractors don’t believe women make good jockeys.

“A lot of males don’t want to see the female rise above them,” Powell said.

“At one point it was horrible, especially the punters. They say the girls should leave, them not good. They tell you expletives,” added Ward.

However, Ward has used the criticism as motivation.

“I’ve learnt that I’m very strong to stay in racing. Some people said I should leave and go work in an office,” she said.

So has Powell: “If you’re not doing something good, you know they are going to criticise, so you have to prove them wrong. Do what you have to do and show them you can do what the males can do, too,” she said.

One male in Ward’s life who is supportive is her father, who still motivates her to do well every day.

“He’s always telling me that I should not get downhearted and I should stay firm and strong because when it’s my time, it’s just my time. That’s how Caymanas Park is, and I am a jockey, so I can ride anywhere,” Ward said.