For some people, it can take nearly a lifetime to find their purpose. For philanthropist and former radio host Ann Lesley Smith, her purpose came in the form of a striking Arabian stallion, Amir Fadjur Salaam.
From her sprawling California estate, Smith connected with these special creatures, and Amir in particular. Now, she is helping others find peace and renewal through a connection with horses.
Redemption, passion, and advocacy for people and horses
Smith is a bit of a Renaissance woman, having dipped her toe into a number of pursuits over the years. She was a radio host, a police chaplain, and even appeared on one of her husband Chester Smith’s country albums. But, for Smith, giving back has always been where her heart lies.
After the death of her husband Chester, Smith began to lean into her love for horses, bringing her own collection to their California estate. “The horses brought me peace. I was very much drawn to reconnecting with the land, to animals, and to my faith,” she says.
Today, Smith’s love of her horses has guided her to transform her home, with its surrounding pastures and vineyards, into a place where peace and purpose intersect. Smith decided to begin inviting guests to her home, allowing them to experience the serenity and life reset that can come from being among the rolling vineyards, old-world architecture, and the quiet, steady presence of horses grazing or moving freely across the property.
“I was seeing the possibilities, and I like to confront what seems impossible,” says Smith.
At the estate, guests could ride horses across the rolling hills among the free-roaming Arabians, an experience that Smith believes is truly transformative. “Seeing Arabian horses move freely, unrestrained yet closely in tune with the people nearby, it becomes a symbol of liberation and letting go emotionally,” she explains.
Purebred Arabian horses: The empathetic heart of the horse world
Smith is especially drawn to Arabian horses because of their unique, almost human-like personalities. Her prized Arabian Amir is a direct descendant of The Fabulous Fadjur, one of the most well-known and celebrated Arabian horses in history.
“Amir carries the same empathy and intelligence that Fadjur had,” says Smith. “His genetics have been specifically crafted for kindness and partnership with humans. I consider it a privilege to be a steward of that lineage.”
Arabians were originally bred thousands of years ago not only to withstand harsh desert environments, but to become an integral part of the tribes who raised them. “I think that ancient relationship still lives within each Arabian,” Smith says. “They have gentle instincts and can read human emotions with sensitivity and understanding, so they are uniquely suited for the work of emotional restoration and connection.”
The world peace ambassador
Looking to Amir and his once-in-a-lifetime legacy as inspiration, Smith has moved forward in recent years with a message of compassion and unity that she believes is crucial in these increasingly divided times. “Amir is a living symbol of peace, not only for the Arab people, but for the world,” says Smith.
As a dedicated equestrian, Smith sees a near future where Amir could serve as an ambassador, traveling to exhibitions and showcasing how, with more empathy and understanding, we can come together as a global community. She also believes that Amir and other Arabian horses have something to add to the rise of artificial intelligence.
“I believe that innovators looking to instill almost human-like empathy and understanding into AI can absolutely look to the Arabian horse as a workbench,” says Smith. “They had their empathy uploaded into them 4500 years ago.”
For Smith, the way the Bedouin tribes viewed their horses not just as simple beasts of burden but as more members of the family is exactly the path developers need to take with AI technology meant to assist human beings in their homes. It is all in the name of authenticity, something that Smith feels is sorely lacking in today’s society, but that could be infused into modern technology if we simply take a cue from Arabian horses.
“We have so much to learn from the natural world, and these horses especially,” says Smith. “There is nothing synthetic about them, and that is something that the Arab tribes have built into them over centuries.”
A legacy in motion
For Ann Lesley Smith, her intensely personal work is always in motion, always evolving. “I am reclaiming my purpose,” she explains.
Smith’s past experiences in media, faith, outreach, entertainment, and philanthropy are converging to create a legacy she is immensely proud of. Whether she is welcoming guests to her estate to soak in the peaceful surroundings, connecting with Amir, or brainstorming novel ways to influence the tech world, Smith continues to define her legacy on her own unique terms.