An Inside Look at Conway Arabians with Peter & Lori Conway
Peter and Lori Conway traded harsh Minnesota winters for Ocala’s rolling hills, cultivating a dream life centered on their Arabian horses, deep community connections, and endless opportunities.
It started with a winter dream. Peter and Lori Conway had built a life in Minnesota, where summers were lush but winters were harsh. Resilient and resourceful, they raised their beloved Arabian horses with care, yet began wondering if there was a gentler way to live.
Encouraged by friends who had moved to Ocala—home to the World Equestrian Center (WEC) and Ocala Horse Properties—the Conways decided to explore. They contacted Matt Varney, beginning their search for the perfect farm.
Property after property came and went. "I think Matt was ready to trade us in," Peter says with a laugh. Then they saw it-the farm. Built in the 1980s by Alec and Louise Courtelis, it was once known as Lasma South, a southern branch of the legendary Lasma Arabians dynasty. The then current owners had restored the property, giving it sleek, modern touches that echoed the Conways' aesthetic sensibilities. "We made an offer the next day," Peter says.
By the time they arrived in 2022, WEC had become the heart of Ocala’s equestrian community, a hub for horse lovers to gather and celebrate their passion. For the Conways, it quickly became an extension of the farm—a place to showcase their horses, their life’s work, and their deep love for the Arabian breed.
“The Arabian horse is the horse that loves you back,” Peter explains. “The connection between horse and human is more powerful than I’ve experienced with other breeds. Arabian horses seek out their person. It’s not just a bond; it’s a lifelong partnership.”
This intimacy, rooted in the breed’s history, is what makes them so beloved to the Conways. Their farm isn’t just a home for these extraordinary animals—it’s a place where bonds are formed and stories are shared.
Beyond the horses and shows, it’s the people of Ocala who make it feel like home. “I didn’t realize how much the community would matter, but it does,” Peter says. “We felt at home here very quickly.”
Practicality also plays a role. Living in the horse capital of the world means access to top-notch resources. “The veterinary care here is incredible,” Peter shares. “In Minnesota, a severe colic would mean a two-and-a-half-hour drive to the University of Minnesota clinic. Here, surgical facilities are only twenty minutes away. That difference has a huge impact on the odds of a successful outcome.”
For the Conways, the future is as bright as a field at sunrise. Spring is their favorite season, when foals are born—tiny miracles of years of planning and dreaming. “You see the fruition of your breeding program,” Peter says. Of course, they’re equally excited about their young horses just beginning their training. “It’s such a hopeful time,” Peter explains. “They’re full of potential, and you get to see them start to become who they’re meant to be.”
In a way, the Conways are undergoing the same transformation, finding purpose and community in a place that finally feels like home.
