Here’s a rewritten version of the provided content in my own words:
I realize this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m not really into horses. It’s not that I dislike them; on the contrary, I think horses are fascinating animals—strong, useful, and historically significant partners to humans. From an evolutionary standpoint, I should be drawn to them, but I’m just not, and here are some reasons why:
- Horses are incredibly strong—almost intimidating. When you look at an animal, you shouldn’t be able to see every muscle fiber like that. It makes me uneasy.
- I’m not a fan of horse faces. It’s something about their big, shiny black eyes that seem soulless, paired with their long, bony heads and the coarse hair covering them. It’s an uneasy look for me.
- They have a distinct smell—enough said.
- Horses carry an aura that demands respect, almost as if they expect it. Many people praise horses by calling them majestic or beautiful, but I have my reservations about their looks and also believe true beauty is inner. And let’s face it, horses don’t have souls.
- There aren’t many good movies about horses. Chloe Zhao’s 2017 film Rider comes close, but it’s more about the riders than the horses themselves.
The fifth point isn’t terrible, but it’s always on my mind when I think about horses. This season, I’ve thought a lot about horses because Mizzou’s star running back loves them. Hardy, a Mississippi native, seems to enjoy being around his horses — no surprise given he’s likely earning enough NIL money to care for them comfortably.
Putting my minor gripes aside for now, I want to reflect more positively on a horse movie that I don’t particularly like either: Steven Spielberg’s War Horse. It’s a 146-minute film, around the length of a recent Mizzou football game. Emotionally, it felt somewhat similar to Mizzou’s recent match against Arkansas.
Like many Spielberg films, War Horse is technically brilliant but a bit safe and conventional. It’s a straightforward war movie with little flair—exactly what you’d expect from the title. Watching it felt like enduring a tough run defense, quiet but steady, with a force comparable to a strong horse’s presence.
Why spend time talking about movies I have little interest in? Because I think Ahmad Hardy probably likes War Horse. He’s an emotional guy, someone who might look at a horse in battle and think, “That’s one troublemaker.” If you guessed his favorite films, War Horse would be near the top, even if he had to deny it a few times first.
Anyway, I’m getting tired of writing. But if Hardy has a season like this one, expect more references next year. He’s only 68 yards shy of breaking Mizzou’s single-season rushing record and could set a new touchdown record too.
We might be witnessing one of the greatest seasons ever for a Mizzou running back, despite the team’s tough circumstances. I don’t want to overlook it—even if it means I have to mention War Horse. I’m rooting for Hardy to surpass himself next season.
Regarding the Arkansas game—maybe I should have said more—Ahmad Hardy earns five out of five warhorses from me. The horse in the movie is Joey, but that’s beside the point.
Fan Take: This story highlights the unique bond between a top college football player and his love for horses, bridging two passionate worlds. For horse racing fans, it’s a reminder of how deeply horses influence not just sports, but personal identity and culture, potentially inspiring new generations to appreciate these majestic animals beyond racing.
