Welcome to our traditional rendezvous with Arabian Horse Magazine. At the height of the breeding and show season 2019, breeders from all over the world are having the chance to present their horses to international spectators and receive decorations. The Menton issue comes out is in a very interesting and animated part of the year. The numbers of entries with the plethora of horse events in Europe, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., and the U.S.A. have exceeded all expectations in 2019. There has been a big number of members of the world Arabian community, whether breeders, handlers, trainers, amateur, open riders or simply loyal visitors, moving around the globe to join in the most popular shows of the season: the 16th International Arabian Horses Championship in Dubai and the Prague-Inter Cup in Czech Republic. So far, Arabian Horse Magazine crew has not missed one single date on the ‘Italian Show Tour 2019”. We flew down to Palermo, up to Milan and down again to Pietrasanta. Having so many breeders participating actively in the shows is a very positive development for our Magazine as well as for the whole international Arabian horse community whose members are having ever-growing opportunities to meet each other, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights for their breeding program. For this edition, I had the chance to interview breeder Kathrin Hampe Klingebiel from EOS Arabians, Germany; handler Sandro Pihna from Brazil; judge Rashid Al Ali from the United Arab Emirates; painter Allan Banford from the UK; photographer Hamid Shokouhi from Iran, and Riding couple Manfred and Heike Hain from Germany. Each of them, each in their own way, is involved with the Arabian horse for different purposes and ends; but all share one common denominator, the love and devotion for this sacred animal. Following the success of previous editions, once again for Menton 2019 - a returns by public demand to the Art of Photography, a magnificent picture gallery showing a few glimpses of exciting shots made by Renato Sorvilo, Stewart Vesty, Christian Slawik, Silwya Ilenda and Henrike Hormann. I also managed to interview Polish model Weronika Bolchmaier. It was very nice to speak to her and hear her captivating family story. Her grandmother’s family tree traces back to the aristocratic line of Pawlowicz family, who owned horses for many years. For the Fashion Hub, designer Tonya Pesch from Kansas presented her business company Nokota.Style and her fantastic outfits collections. Riding is where she found her passion for fashion. You will find out more details about Tonya Pesch and her horsey creations in the special section covering this project. Interesting and of great cultural thickness two more written contributions focusing on the history but conveying the magic that has always been surrounding the Arabian horse and the Oriental world where he was born. A well-researched, clear and thorough presentation about the famous Egyptian broodmare El Dahma and the Obeya Family written by Domenico Tocchi for the Straight Egyptian section. To finish up with a beautiful work about the Orientalist Art by William Richardot de Choisey. Mainly born in Western Europe as an artistic movement around the 18th century, Orientalism and its magnitude can still be admired today thanks to the pictorial engagement of many international artists. Arabian Horse Magazine is always very keen on introducing new people and initiatives intended to promote and celebrate the Arabian horse. So, our special thank you go first and foremost to all contributors as without them this 2019 Menton edition could not be so beautiful and complete; to all of those who remained loyal to us and to the horses; but also to whom, even in hard times, spare no pains to invest time, money and enthusiasm to get prepared to meet in the various shows. Our special thank you also applies to the judges, the organizing teams and the many assistants. Thank you so much to all the sponsors; due to their generosity these wonderful and dignified shows are made possible at all. Beauty and performance should not be mutually exclusive. The Arabian horse is sensitive, powerful and noble; may it find an equivalent breeder, owner or lover. For the year 2019, we will strive for a harmonious togetherness and would like to wish the exhibitors good success, all visitors interesting and long lasting impressions and deeply hope that you will enjoy the noble Arabian horse! Let us forget about the sometimes unnecessary little tiffs here and there. May the beauty and the charisma, the nobility and the special flair that comes from this most beautiful horse breed of the world cast a spell on all of us!