Sure the horse’s wins were a great achievement. A lot of people liked the horse. But a horse is still a horse. A horse doesn't have bad days, a horse can’t be insulted, a horse doesn't struggle with existential matters.

Serena does. If people voted for the horse that’s fine. I get that, the problem is the types of response to Serena winning the cover. Serena is a black woman athlete, in a sport still considered to be “not for her kind”. Viola Davis isn't the only black woman being called unattractive in judgement of her skillset. Serena has to deal with it too. If a horse takes a photo, it’s a photo of a horse. If Serena does it, it’s setting back feminism according to dudes. Serena has to deal with outperforming her competition by leaps and bounds, and still not getting compensation appropriate to her stardom. How insulted must she feel to see the women she defeats getting better and more lucrative deals?

Serena performs at a level that’s impressive, and does it with a demeanor that’s likewise impressive for someone that has to be under the amount of stress she has to be under. The world loves horses. The world doesn’t love black girls, and yet despite this, she gets up every day gives it her best, defeats her competition, and inspires women, who look like her all over this nation and others. So I’m happy a kid with cerebral palsy was able to meet his favorite horse but the horse didn't choose to race. The horse didn't make racing his goal, in spite of everyone telling him he shouldn't do it. Serena gives hope to entire communities of women, that they can be seen as something more than savages. Ahmad Zayat is an Egyptian CEO, Serena Williams is just a black girl who grew up in Compton. For him this horse was a venture and investment if the horse failed he can acquire another one, he can invest in his business. What risk was there for anyone on his team but his horse? For Serena, achievement was her way out of the hood and violence. It’s almost unfair to ask anyone to respect a horse ANY horse and it’s team more than a girl who made it and still doesn’t get respect and STILL performs knowing that the day she doesn’t, is the day what respect and laurels she HAS and does get will stop. If that’s not the epitome of Sportsmanship and Achievement this year than I don’t know what is.