Ann’s Blog
Ann Lesley Smith uses her equestrian expertise and life experiences to write blog posts on equestrian topics, spirituality, current events, and more.
FEATURED POST
The Message of Peace Brought by the Purebred Arabian Horse Amir Fadjur Salaam
The prized Arabian stallion owned by Ann Lesley Smith, named Amir Fadjur Salaam, is more than just a pet or a horse among many that roam Smith’s estate in California. He is a direct descendant of one of the most famous Arabians in recent history, The Fabulous Fadjur.
Blog Posts
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The Quiet Language of Horses: Why I Open My Gates
There’s a particular kind of silence that settles over you when you stand beside a horse who trusts you completely. Not the absence of sound—the birds still sing, the wind still moves through the oaks—but the presence of something deeper. A stillness that has nothing to do with quiet and everything to do with being…
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Amir and the Soul of Horse People
There are some things in life that go far beyond admiration. Horses are one of them. For those of us who have loved, raised, ridden, and lived alongside horses, they do not stay in the barn, the pasture, or the show ring. They come home with us. They find their way into our living rooms,…
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The Mirror in the Stall
I’ve worn a lot of hats — vineyard manager, property developer, daughter, sister, wife, and executor of estates. I’ve been a negotiator with contractors, a translator for Spanish-speaking crews, and a mediator between family members who stopped speaking decades ago. I’ve sat in boardrooms and driven Porsches down Highway 99 and Jeeps through flooded creek…
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Most People Retire at 70. Philanthropist Ann Lesley Smith is Just Getting to the Good Part, Thanks to Her Purebred Arabian Horse
Philanthropist and former radio host Ann Lesley Smith could be considered a modern-day Renaissance woman. She has dipped her toes into several interests, from music to helping people connect with their faith. At 70, an age where most people are ready to stop work and relax, Smith is embarking on a new purpose — and…
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Beyond Kentucky Derby Speed: The Emotional Intelligence that Arabian Horses Have Given to Today’s Modern Racehorses at Churchill Downs
The 2026 Kentucky Derby, held on May 2nd in Louisville, gave those of us who are more equestrian-minded something to enjoy and marvel at. The speed and agility of the modern Thoroughbred racehorses are a draw year after year. For most people, the Kentucky Derby is about watching world-class jockeys race magnificent horses, and maybe…
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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…
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Inside the California Estate of Philanthropist Ann Lesley Smith, Where a Purebred Arabian Horse is a Symbol of Peace, Healing, and Renewal
Set amid the rolling hills and picturesque vineyards of California wine country, philanthropist Ann Lesley Smith’s estate is more than just a private home or sanctuary for her and her collection of horses. The environment Smith has built has been carefully cultivated into a place where connection and the healing presence of an Arabian stallion…
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Cowboy Boots, Horse Life, and Finding My True Path
If you spend your days around horses, you already know—cowboy boots are not a fashion choice. They are a necessity. At my horse sanctuary here in California, boots are part of everyday life. From early morning feedings to long days in the arena, proper footwear matters. You are walking through dirt, mud, uneven ground, and…
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The Unseen Side of Horses: When There Is No Formula
There’s something about horses that draws people in. It doesn’t matter your age, your background, or where you come from — horses have a way of capturing the heart with their beauty, their strength, and their presence. I’ve loved horses all my life, and like so many others, I’ve admired what seems like perfection when…
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Amir Fadjur Salaam: The Purebred Arabian Horse Ann Lesley Smith Says is Unlike Any Other
Thousands of years ago, Arabian horses were bred by Bedouin tribes to be more than simple beasts of burden. They were part of the tribe itself, trusted confidants with deep empathy, more than other horses. Today, that enduring legacy of the Arabian horse holds strong, and no one can attest to this more than philanthropist…
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English or Western? My Humble Opinion After a Lifetime in the Saddle
Every rider has a saddle story. Mine starts with an English saddle, and honestly, it never really wandered far from there. People ask me all the time which I prefer — English or Western — and I am always happy to tell them. But I want to say up front: this is just my opinion….
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The Diamond, the Fire, and the Gold: Life with Amir, My Rare-Bloodline Stallion
There is a particular kind of light in the Central Valley in the late afternoon — the kind that turns everything gold and makes the dust hang in the air like glitter. That is the light I love best, because that is when Amir looks like he was poured straight out of a painting. My…
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Can Animal Ancestry Heal Modern Division? A Look at Abrahamic Roots and the Arabian Horse as a Symbol of Grace and Spirit
There are over 300 recognized horse breeds in the world, but one stands out among the pack. The Arabian horse has become known not only for its beauty and grace in movement but also for its steadfast loyalty and almost human-like ability to feel and give empathy. Revered across the Arab world for their intelligence…
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The Message of Peace Brought by the Purebred Arabian Horse Amir Fadjur Salaam
The prized Arabian stallion owned by Ann Lesley Smith, named Amir Fadjur Salaam, is more than just a pet or a horse among many that roam Smith’s estate in California. He is a direct descendant of one of the most famous Arabians in recent history, The Fabulous Fadjur. The Fadjur bloodline has become known for…
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Philanthropist Ann Lesley Smith and her Purebred Arabian Horse, Amir Fadjur Salaam
Ann Lesley Smith’s prized Arabian stallion, Amir Fadjur Salaam, is not just a rare example of this dynastic breed; he is a living connection between ancient Arabian bloodlines and today’s hustle-and-bustle world. Amir’s example of empathy and compassion has its place in today’s culture of often synthetic connections, and with his human-like ability to understand…
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