Philanthropist Ann Lesley Smith Finds Peace and Purpose Through the Legacy of an Arabian Horse
Ann Lesley Smith has lived a Renaissance Woman-type existence for as long as she can remember, having been involved in the media world, music, and even the clergy. Her life has been shaped and reshaped by ups and downs, grief and faith, and the connections she has made along the way.
Today, it is Smith’s purebred Arabian horses that keep her happy and allow her to give back in ways she never thought possible. One horse in particular, her rare Arabian stallion Amir Fadjur Salaam, has inspired Smith in numerous ways, leading her to open up her home in the rolling hills of California to those in need of rest — and even brainstorming ways to help the AI industry.
Finding passion through loss and renewal
Like many people, Smith’s journey through life hasn’t always been smooth. After losing her husband, musician and mogul Chester Smith, in 2008, she found herself navigating not only crushing grief but a crossroads in her career and her pursuit of passion. She searched for meaning as she stayed alone in the estate they once shared, and it was there, among her horses, that she found her new purpose.
“I realized that peace, whether it’s personal or something you wish for the world, isn’t something to pursue, but something to welcome,” she says.
Amir’s presence helped Smith embrace the idea that she could stop chasing peace and just allow it to happen, much like Amir calmly welcomed kindness and empathy into his life.
“Amir has been central to my own transformation,” Smith explains. “I knew he could have a positive impact on others as well.”
These days, Smith invites people to her estate to soak in the stillness and be among the serenity of the beautiful vineyards and the free-roaming Arabian horses. People burdened by tension or uncertainty seek out Smith’s guidance and find the same peace and empathy from Amir that Smith has experienced.
“I see something change in people when they see the freedom that these horses have: their walls come down. It’s really transformative not only for them but also for those who witness it,” says Smith.
The particular wisdom built into the lineage of the Arabian breed
Though Smith has other horses, she knows the Arabian breed is particularly special. Amir’s own legacy traces back to The Fabulous Fadjur, one of the most celebrated and lauded Arabian horses in recent history. Like his ancestor, Amir’s human-like personality embodies the breed’s renowned intelligence and empathy.
“There are thousands of years of wisdom in his eyes,” Smith explains.
The history of the Arabian horse stretches back thousands of years, and the story of how the Bedouin tribes programmed their horses to be intuitive and empathetic is a facet of the horse’s lore that Smith finds fascinating.
“These tribes didn’t breed Arabians to simply work; they bred them to understand,” she says.
The result of thousands of years of careful breeding is something that Smith believes could benefit not only individuals but Silicon Valley developers.
“Innovators are trying to get machines to think and feel like people,” she explains. “I feel like they could use horses like Amir as blueprints for how to program empathy.”
This comparison between ancient breeding practices and modern AI development sparks interesting questions and ideas, which Smith revels in.
“I enjoy the unexpected,” she says. “If we slow down and pay attention to the authentic messages that have been built inside these horses, we could learn a lot.”
Being still in a noisy world
Smith acknowledges that Amir has helped her find stillness in a world that is often chaotic and may feel out of control or hopelessly divided at times.
“Amir reminds me all the time that peace is not passive; it’s powerful,” she says.
Smith’s life has been profoundly impacted by Amir’s presence, and she hopes that through some forward-thinking initiatives, her favorite horse could bring peace to others as well. With their calm demeanor and natural awareness of the feelings of others, Amir and other Arabian horses have the ability to act as ambassadors of peace and bridges to understanding in trying times.
“Traditionally, Arabian horses have been gifts that symbolize respect and reverence in the Arab world,” Smith explains. “They were messages of peace. I believe we could revive this practice and position these magnificent horses as symbols of peace.”
Through her bond with her horses, and Amir in particular, Ann Lesley Smith has redefined what success is for herself. By leaning into her varied passions and paying forward the kindness she has learned from Amir, she is changing lives and living a philosophy that could change hearts.
“Peace doesn’t always have to arrive as a grand gesture,” Smith says. “Sometimes it can be just as simple as a horse who understands you, a home that feels like a sanctuary, or knowing that you helped another person.”