Tolo, we are absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to interview you; thank you so much for welcoming us today.

We first discovered the Association through the inaugural Menorca Horse Week this past May, and we were instantly captivated by the sheer power and indescribable beauty of the Purebred Menorquin Horse.

Thank you for helping shed light on the institution at such a defining moment in its history, both in terms of its internal evolution and its global reach.

Let us begin by speaking about you. You are the President of the Association, but also a pivotal and widely recognized figure in shaping Menorca’s business and agrifood landscape—boasting extensive experience as a strategic advisor at your own consulting firm, an expert in corporate governance, and Commercial Director at the Cooperativa del Camp.

How does this robust, holistic vision of the island’s rural and corporate economies shape your approach to leading the Menorquin equestrian sector?

Thank you, Patricia, and The Ambassadors Sections, for your interest in our culture and in one of the most precious, closely guarded treasures in the soul of every Menorcan: our Purebred Menorquin Horse.

As for myself… if I had to find a single word to describe my relationship with Menorca, it would be Commitment, in its absolute truest sense.

For me, commitment is not an abstract concept; it is a tangible set of actions and deeds that reflect a profound devotion to everything that defines this island.

I am Menorcan, I love this land deeply, and I share that visceral attachment that characterizes, I believe, all of us who are native to this place. In fact, this is perhaps an inherent quality across most Mediterranean territories, but in our case, I can affirm that the communion between Menorca’s people and their environment is genuinely heartfelt and profound.

Throughout my career and my life, I have operated across various sectors, but always guided by this non-negotiable life principle: commitment.

Last year, when the opportunity arose to preside over the Menorquin Horse Breeders and Owners Association—an institution I have been closely linked to and a part of for many years—I did not hesitate for a moment.

I feel immensely proud to immerse myself fully in Menorca’s identity, environment, and people, and I believe my professional journey has naturally, organically, and progressively prepared me for this exact purpose.

I was born here in 1966, though I also hold Catalan roots from Barcelona.

My corporate mindset was forged at a very young age when I had the opportunity to spearhead the Menorcan expansion of a multinational corporation as prominent and demanding as CEMEX. I was always eager to master global corporate culture and was utterly dedicated to delivering the company’s objectives within an island ecosystem where dynamics are never simple, let alone predictable.

Later on, I founded and consolidated Maderesa (Madereros Reunidos), successfully expanding the firm first across Menorca, and subsequently into Mallorca and Ibiza. It was an exceptionally demanding yet deeply rewarding chapter.

Afterward, I became involved with the agrifood cooperative, pouring my energy into a project that transformed our collective vision of the primary sector.

The Menorcan countryside is the very heartbeat of our territory, the axis of its future and that of the generations to come, who would otherwise face an incredibly complex scenario if we failed to leave behind a structured, coherent legacy.

In 2019, I decided to synthesize this lifetime of corporate and personal experience by establishing my own strategic consultancy and executive coaching firm for businesses and business schools.

My methodology has always centered on strategy, vision, and leadership—guiding family-owned enterprises and organizations through the intricate processes of corporate governance and ethical sustainability.

I approach this through a macroeconomic yet deeply human lens, a perspective I have now seamlessly transferred to the equestrian sector.

I like to operate with a long-term vision.

My background allows me to connect with people from a uniquely broad and differentiated angle, addressing not only the material dimension of organizations but also their emotional core and their overarching purpose.

Tolo, it is fascinating to analyze how your work at the helm of your strategic consultancy converges with roles so deeply rooted in the territory, such as the commercial and expansion leadership of Sa Cooperativa del Camp de Menorca and the Presidency of the Menorquin Horse Breeders and Owners Association.

Beyond the obvious executive weight, simultaneously managing the primary sector, high corporate strategy, and the equestrian ecosystem demands a very specific cross-sector expertise.

How would you define the link between this holistic, interconnected vision of the island economy and your leadership methodology at the front of the Association?

I imagine your trajectory has forged a leadership style that is uniquely your own…

Yes, they are highly distinct segments, yet they represent the core pillars of my professional background, forces that now amplify and converge through the equestrian sector.

For me, these three facets have never been compartmentalized or isolated responsibilities; on the contrary, they belong to the same life purpose, constantly and organically feeding into one another.

The invisible thread binding my consultancy, the Presidency of the Association, and my role at Sa Cooperativa del Camp is an unwavering commitment to our land and the creation of genuine value for people.

My work at Sa Cooperativa del Camp—an deeply rooted institution that embodies the pulse of the island’s primary sector—focuses precisely on ensuring the economic viability of local produce and the Menorcan countryside.

This daily immersion in the agrifood landscape grants me an absolute sensitivity to the needs of livestock farmers who, to a large extent, are the very same individuals breeding and protecting our horses across the island’s traditional llocs.

Conversely, the strategic tools, long-term vision, and ethical governance that I apply and teach through my consultancy firm are exactly what allow me to structure and professionalize the Association with the institutional rigor demanded by the 21st century.

I do not believe in passive leadership or rigid frameworks. My multifaceted background allows me to navigate seamlessly between macroeconomic corporate vision and the tangible, emotional reality of the local producer.

Simultaneously managing areas of this magnitude requires discipline and methodical rigor, but above all, high doses of passion and a constant drive to achieve things of lasting impact.

Ultimately, the countryside, local products, and the Purebred Menorquin horse are the three forces sustaining Menorca’s landscape and identity as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Being able to intertwine business strategy with territorial sustainability is an absolute privilege, and the finest formula to secure a coherent legacy for generations to come.

I do not view the Menorquin horse in isolation, but rather as the central axis of a circular model and an intangible heritage that we must professionally safeguard.

In this sense, my corporate background provides the stability and methodological architecture necessary to manage the Association as an institution of high scientific validation.

At the same time, a profound understanding of the rural economy allows me to design effective strategies so that breeding remains economically viable and sustainable for the breeders themselves.

In short, I bring to the equestrian sector a capacity for foresight, unity of action, and the firm conviction required to position our Purebred Menorquin Horse on the international stage with the dynamism contemporary markets demand.

We must govern it with the same excellence and precision as the finest multinational corporations, while non-negotiably protecting the soul and essence of our land.

 Tolo, while the Balearic Islands naturally form an archipelago, it is fascinating how each of the four islands serves as an authentic window to the world, each possessing its own unique personality, character, and essence.

What would you highlight as Menorca’s most defining attributes and singular identity traits?

Menorca represents an exceptionally robust model of sustainable equilibrium.

I would say we are a people naturally defined by sobriety, yet endowed with immense dignity and integrity.

We fiercely defend our heritage and essence, and we are deeply proud of our identity.

Menorca has maintained a non-negotiable commitment to territorial preservation and environmental conservation, positioning it today as one of the most immaculately preserved bastions in the entire Mediterranean basin.

Naturally, this is not the result of a passing trend, but rather of a historic collective consciousness.

We have always understood and recognized that the true architects of circularity and sustainability on this island are our farmers and livestock breeders, who for generations have shaped and safeguarded this traditional dry-stone landscape, contributing decisively to keeping our biodiversity intact.

Our attachment transcends mere geographic pride; it stems from a protective instinct that has shielded the island continuously across decades.

Far removed from the aggressive urban development seen in other territories, the simplicity and order reigning over the Menorcan landscape bestow upon us a sophisticated, deeply integrated tranquility.

As early as 1993, UNESCO designated Menorca a Biosphere Reserve, recognizing the balance achieved between socioeconomic progress and a scrupulous respect for environmental preservation.

Sustainability—a concept so ubiquitous today—has been an absolute constant in Menorca from the very beginning, and remains one of our primary hallmarks.

The path initiated in the early 1990s has permanently and comprehensively shaped our institutional, social, and tourism policies, consolidating a model where modernity and international projection are never severed from our true essence and cultural legacy.

We march toward the future with our feet firmly planted in our roots.

The ancestral mysticism of Menorca can be breathed in its calm, reflected in its rolling countryside, the purity of its coastlines, and the sheer authenticity of its primary sector.

Menorca is a destination that naturally attracts a highly discerning visitor through its balance and its harmonious way of understanding and experiencing life.

It is precisely at the heart of this protected ecosystem that the Purebred Menorquin Horse radiates and expresses the very spirit of Menorca: it is the living reflection of the strength, resilience, and beauty of an island that has chosen to project itself to the world through uncompromised quality and absolute integrity to its own soul.

Tolo, let us delve into the institutional dimension, as understanding the framework that sustains the Association as a legacy requires exploring its solid foundations.

What was the origin of the entity, how does its founding mission articulate within the contemporary arena, and what strategic value does it deliver to a membership base that now exceeds 450 members?

First and foremost, it is essential to emphasize that the official recognition of the Menorquin Horse Breed is the result of an extensive scientific journey.

The definitive turning point dates back to 1988, when a rigorous morphological and genetic study unequivocally proved that Menorcan horses possessed a distinct zootechnical identity, a unique lineage that deserved to be protected.

Following this official recognition, we understood that this invaluable biological heritage could not be left to chance; it required strict regulation.

That is precisely how our Association was born.

Historically, equine breeding management in Spain fell under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense. Consequently, the true strategic leap in our evolution occurred when we assumed direct management of the Official Stud Book of the Purebred Menorquin Horse.

By accepting the delegation of these state competencies, the Association took absolute control over the breeding, promotion, and international expansion of the breed.

Today, that responsibility rests upon an exceptionally competent executive team, unyielding in its technical rigor and driven by commendable dedication, giving me absolute confidence in the direction we have taken for this new chapter since my appointment as President.

Currently, we operate as the sole official validation authority tasked with safeguarding the purity of the breed.

Absolutely nothing within the universe of the Menorquin horse is processed, certified, or validated without passing through the Association’s strict institutional filter.

It is this precise rigor that today attracts a global community of more than 450 members.

Our membership profile is highly diverse and international, spanning from local Menorcan livestock farmers—the sector is almost entirely integrated into the entity—to private owners across more than twenty countries, with highly significant clusters in Europe and, more recently, the United States.

To this ecosystem, we provide not only comprehensive technical, legal, and registry support—ranging from birth certifications to official genetic improvement programs—but something far more vital: the protection of their investment.

We work tirelessly to position the Menorquin Horse Breed in foreign markets under a hallmark of absolute prestige, ensuring that our breeders’ operations remain economically sustainable and viable within an increasingly competitive global environment.

Tolo, since the Association holds the official delegation to manage the Stud Book of the breed, you have become the sole guarantor of its purity.

How do you balance a centuries-old tradition with the strict traceability requirements and regulatory frameworks of the European Union?

The management of the Official Stud Book of the Menorquin Breed constitutes an exercise of paramount institutional responsibility.

By assuming this ministerial delegation, we have consolidated the Association as a technical, academic, and scientific validation authority of the highest precision.

Our mission centers on the meticulous, millimeter-level monitoring and registration of each specimen’s biological traceability, from birth to its official cataloging as a breeding animal.

How do we harmonize this rigor with stringent European Union requirements? Through an absolutely uncompromising standard.

We safeguard a meticulously defined breed prototype and employ rigorous scientific methods to ensure no animal deviates from the established parameters. Any conceptual evolution must successfully clear official, high-level validation committees.

For us, science does not dilute tradition; on the contrary, it shields it, certifies it, and grants it unquestionable legal validity across international markets.

This strictly methodical vision converges in flawless harmony with Menorca’s philosophy as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Today, sustainability, circular economy, and environmental preservation are endlessly debated as if they were the great conquests of modernity.

Yet, the reality is that Menorca’s primary sector conceived and applied these very concepts generations ago.

We have simply taken up that invaluable mantle.

There exists an absolute, inseparable synergy between the conservation of the Menorcan landscape and the historical value of the horse.

By keeping traditional breeding alive within the llocs, the livestock farmer continues to serve as the true custodian of the countryside, driving the rural economy in a manner deeply respectful of the environment.

The land of Menorca and the Menorquin horse are, in essence, the exact same identity.

To project this heritage toward the challenges of the 21st century, the key lies entirely in scientific innovation.

We develop a robust Genetic Improvement Program and spearhead cutting-edge research lines in close collaboration with prestigious universities.

This cooperative framework allows us to objectively evaluate the potential of the animals, catalog recommended breeding stock, and select elite specimens under scientific criteria stricto sensu.

We do not leave the future of a protected native breed to intuition; we deploy vanguard biotechnology and genetics to ensure that—while keeping its centuries-old hardiness and distinct typology entirely intact—the Menorquin horse stands out under the most demanding standards of excellence in the contemporary international equestrian arena.

Tolo, let us analyze the present and the ambitious transformation you are leading at the helm of the Association.

The beginning of your Presidency has marked a definitive turning point; far beyond merely safeguarding local tradition, you are steering the entity toward genuine internationalization.

What exactly does this new global strategy entail, how does it leverage vanguard tools like your Breeding Stock Catalogue, and in what ways are you responding to the rising demand from markets with equestrian cultures as demanding as Italy or the Netherlands?

The new direction we wish to foster for the Association is firmly rooted in driving the internationalization of our breed, grounded in the strictest official and scientific rigor.

We refuse to settle for being a local treasure admired primarily within our domestic borders; the Menorquin horse possesses the conditions and the innate quality necessary to compete on the world’s most elite, demanding, and competitive equestrian stages.

A historic milestone of this new era is that, for the very first time, our team of official inspectors and veterinarians is traveling outside of Spain to conduct the valuation and classification of specimens directly on European soil.

This directly addresses the undeniable reality that in countries with deep-seated equestrian traditions, such as Italy or the Netherlands, there is a growing demand and an extraordinary enthusiasm for the Menorquin horse, with premier breeders investing heavily in our lineage.

Facilitating their official procedures, registries, and phenotypic and genetic classifications in situ is how the Association—as a modern, 21st-century institution—cultivates trust and safeguards the market value of exported specimens on both a European and global scale.

The backbone legitimizing this deployment is our scientific vanguard.

We have just consolidated our Breeding Stock Catalogue, a selective reference document for the breed that transcends a simple aesthetic listing to become a compendium of biological data of the highest precision.

Through this catalogue, we provide select breeders with verified genetic information segmented by morphological aptitudes and sporting capabilities for Dressage and High-Level Competition.

By combining the hardy heritage and unique character of our black stallion with the tools of modern biotechnology, we demonstrate to international investors that the Menorquin horse is an asset of biological excellence—and a high-performance sporting investment perfectly adapted to contemporary global standards

Tolo, the commencement of your Presidency last year has brought a fresh, inspiring momentum to the entity, orchestrating grand projects and premium international promotional events that recapture the foundational spirit of collaboration.

What is your current roadmap, and what are the institution’s strategic priorities?

Furthermore, how did the «Menorca Horse Week» initiative come to life, and in what ways is it becoming the definitive tool to amplify the brand value of the Menorquin horse, generate local employment, and attract a high-caliber tourism that consolidates the island as a premium destination?

When I assumed the presidency by absolute unanimity, I did so driven by an unyielding principle: the day our institution or our identity is at risk, you will always find me at the forefront.

We faced a complex leadership transition where, due to statutory loopholes, the governance of the breed was at risk of falling into the hands of boards based outside of Menorca or Spain.

We simply could not jeopardize the historical continuity of our heritage.

I stepped forward, assembled a deeply cohesive, highly competent, and unyielding management team, and proposed a challenge that we had to project and dare to execute together.

Our current strategic roadmap centers on injecting dynamism and global reach into the entity.

We had to embrace disruptive formulas, because the only outcome our team refused to accept was inaction.

From that shared ambition and the vision of our board of directors, the Menorca Horse Week was born.

The genesis of this initiative follows an elementary commercial logic that breaks with traditional marketing.

Historically, we as Menorcans had to travel across Spain and Europe —to Madrid, Paris, and major international fairs— to showcase our excellence and promote the breed, when the true strategic genius was exactly the inverse. Pure marketing is about bringing the key tastemakers and influencers here, to the origin, so they can experience our identity in situ, see how we breed, and understand what the equestrian universe truly represents to us.

We designed a unique model under an internationally recognizable commercial name and made bold, high-quality decisions, such as installing an imposing pavilion to completely cover the competition arena.

It represented an extraordinary investment for which we had no initial budget, but we knew we held a diamond in our hands and it was imperative to polish it with the utmost sophistication.

The outcome of this inaugural edition was an unmitigated success.

We attracted over 15,000 visitors to the venue, comprehensively stimulated the local economic and artisanal fabric —from farriers and saddlers to equine physiotherapists —and secured a massive audience of more than 70,000 spectators via the IB3 television broadcast.

Menorca Horse Week, whose backbone remains our historic morphological competition with nearly forty years of history, has established itself as the definitive premium lever for the island’s global positioning.

We strategically chose the month of May for its celebration due to two critical factors: first, because it is when the horses enjoy their peak physical and psychological conditions; and second, because it directly drives off-season tourism.

By attracting high-net-worth investors and aficionados at a time of year far removed from the summer crowds, we transform the horse into Menorca’s primary Ambassador.

We have proven to the world that modernity and international projection coexist in flawless harmony with absolute respect for the social, cultural, and environmental sustainability of our territory.

It is a project of total cohesion: a single line of action unifying breeders, elite sponsors, and public administrations around a tourism destination of pure excellence.

Tolo, analyzing the success of this monumental event, what has the staging of the inaugural Menorca Horse Week meant for the institution, and what strategic implications will it hold over the medium and long term—both for the international projection of the breed and for the consolidation of Menorca as a premium cultural destination?

The staging of the inaugural Menorca Horse Week at the Es Mercadal Exhibition Centre has marked an absolute turning point for our institution and the future of the breed.

It has served as the definitive catalyst for our roadmap.

We did not start from scratch; we successfully merged the robust tradition of our Official Morphological Competition —which reached its landmark 35th edition —, with a vanguard, dynamic, and multidisciplinary international equestrian festival concept.

For the Association, this has provided tangible validation that the sector is moving forward in unison, that our long-term vision was the correct direction, and that we possess the operational capacity to orchestrate a gathering under the highest European quality standards.

The implications for the Purebred Menorquin Horse and its global reach are colossal.

By equipping the event with a world-class infrastructure, we attracted top-tier national and international judges to evaluate the Morphological Competition and the demanding Functionality Tests.

Furthermore, Menorca Horse Week has established itself as a global hub of knowledge, thanks to professional conferences and high-level debate forums where leading experts shared the latest innovations in equine welfare and genetic enhancement.

The projection of our lineage no longer relies on print media; the world now watches our black stallions compete live in an impeccable indoor arena.

The resulting media impact has been unprecedented, placing the Menorquin breed squarely on the radar of high-end breeders worldwide and opening foreign commercial channels that were previously unimaginable.

For Menorca, as a premium tourism and cultural destination, the results are equally transformative.

We have proven that the island is far more than the spectacular beauty of its beaches; it is the cradle of a living, unique, and exclusive cultural heritage that intertwines flawlessly with the inestimable value of our historic legacy through Talayotic Menorca.

With this festival, we achieved a seamless synergy between the traditional equine universe and high-end equestrian culture, exemplified by strategic collaborations with prestigious international fashion and design houses that lent a sophisticated atmosphere to the venue.

By opening the festival with educational days for schoolchildren and closing it with massive evening spectacles, we successfully engaged society as a whole.

Menorca Horse Week stands today as the perfect exemplar of how to generate local economic value in an off-season, environmentally respectful manner—solidifying the Menorca brand on the international map as an indisputable synonym for excellence, authenticity, and sustainability.

Tolo Mercadal Strategic Promotion of the Purebred Menorquin Horse Morphological Competition at Paris Haute Couture Week

Tolo, the Menorcan landscape is inseparable from the majestic silhouette, extraordinary morphological expressiveness, and unmistakable rhythmic cadence of the Purebred Menorquin Horse.

As a living symbol of harmony and environmental preservation, what are the singular morphological and temperamental traits that define its unique zootechnical identity?

And regarding the global stage, how is your export map currently drawn, and which markets are leading the international expansion of the Menorquin breed?

The Menorquin Horse is, quite literally, the soul of our land, transcending any ephemeral trend or aesthetic whim.

On a symbolic level, it defines our identity, unites our community, and projects our image to the world.

Its sober and extraordinarily resilient character, its nobility, and its generous devotion are deeply intertwined with the mysticism and true idiosyncrasy of our people.

We are one of the very few territories on the planet that, within such a compact geographical area, has successfully preserved its own native breed, an exclusive dressage discipline, and centuries-old patron saint festivities where the horse reigns as the absolute epicenter of social and cultural life.

Morphologically, it is an animal of innate elegance and aristocratic bearing. It possesses a slender neck, a profile of great racial distinction, an exceptionally powerful structure, and a robust constitution inherited from its historical roots in countryside labor.

Its most beautiful and magnetic defining feature is its coat: it is a black horse. They are all black. Historically, the breed established the black coat as its non-negotiable signature; while chestnut individuals can genetically occur, our standard is so strict that only black-coated horses are admitted into the official breeding registries.

Yet, what truly consecrates it as a unique icon in the equestrian universe is its temperament and its astounding composure under pressure.

It has been genetically selected to coexist with dense crowds during our traditional festivals, maintaining absolute serenity while surrounded by thousands of people.

It possesses an extraordinary and exclusive attribute: the ‘bot’, an elevated bipedal leap on its hindquarters.

While in other global equine disciplines a horse rearing up is penalized as a behavioral fault, in Menorca it constitutes a sublime artistic expression that we exalt and refine with devotion.

It is an animal with a deep, engaging gaze, immense personality, and, above all, a profound soul.

This compendium of exclusivity and mysticism has awakened deep interest in foreign markets and among high-end international investment profiles.

We currently oversee a global population of approximately 4,500 registered specimens, 1,200 of which are already located beyond our borders.

Our primary buyers are predominantly European—with exceptionally strong clusters in nations boasting deeply entrenched equestrian cultures like Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom —and, most excitingly, we have just consolidated the first official confirmations of the breed’s expansion into the United States.

International clients come to Menorca seeking an equestrian asset of pure excellence, fully backed by the traceability and strict regulatory oversight that our Association guarantees from the mother island, ensuring that every exported specimen serves as a flawless ambassador of our genomic purity

Tolo, let us address international sporting expansion.

Beyond the presence of the Purebred Menorquin Horse within traditional disciplines, this native horse is cementing strong recognition in Dressage and elite European high-level competitions.

What commercial and athletic potential does the breed offer today for high-end international buyers?

For the international breeder or investor seeking true exclusivity —given the strict purity controls of our lineage and the limited number of specimens available —owning a Purebred Menorquin Horse represents a tangible, high-value-added asset, embodying both distinction and cultural legacy.

Our specimens possess an extraordinary athletic and commercial potential that transcends their mythical and spectacular presence in our traditional festivals.

At the Association, we are investing decisively to demonstrate that this horse is a highly versatile, multidisciplinary athlete. We boast our own officially recognized discipline, Doma Menorquina (Menorcan Dressage), with its highly characteristic gaits such as the ‘guirón’ and the ‘bot’.

Our current breeding and selection guidelines are strategically designed to ensure our specimens are highly competitive on the international stages of Grand Prix Dressage, Alta Escuela (High School Dressage), and Combined Driving competitions.

The President of the Balearic Government, Marga Prohens, attended the Menorca Horse Week, where she presided over the awards ceremony of the landmark 93rd National Trotting Championship 2026. She was accompanied by Tolo Mercadal, President of the Menorquin Horse Breeders and Owners Association, and Joan Palliser, Mayor of Es Mercadal, alongside other prominent dignitaries.

It is a horse of immense class, presence, and an innate aptitude for collected work, allowing it to stand out across the world’s most demanding equine disciplines, while remaining an ideal, noble, and balanced companion for pleasure riding.

We are currently structuring a powerful visual and athletic platform to ensure our specimens have a clear, direct path into elite European competition stables.

For the global investor, the absolute exclusivity of our breed constitutes an asset of exceptional value. In an international market saturated with homogenous offerings, the Menorquin horse represents the ultimate expression of distinction and authenticity, for we are speaking of an extremely select and protected population.

Currently, a mere 130 to 140 foals are born each year under the strict biological oversight of our Official Stud Book.

When you consider that statistically half are fillies, and that in Menorca we zealously preserve our stallions intact to perpetuate genomic purity, the number of specimens available to the international market is remarkably limited.

Acquiring a Purebred Menorquin is not simply purchasing a horse; it is incorporating a living masterpiece of a protected, intangible heritage, a lineage molded by centuries of history and Mediterranean civilizations.

As I always like to emphasize, in this life there are things that have a price, and things that have true value.

We belong firmly to this second category: the Menorquin Horse possesses an immense, priceless cultural and historical value.

Owning one is a tangible investment in legacy, exclusivity, and a philosophy of life in perfect communion with territorial sustainability.

The Menorquin Horse is far more than a purebred horse. It is a declaration of principles.

Tolo, sensing the deep devotion you exude for the Purebred Menorquin Horse and your profound commitment at the helm of the Association, what is the ultimate horizon you project for the breed?

What key initiatives —such as the ‘Equestrian Erasmus’ or institutional twinships— do you envision consolidating to guarantee the generational succession?

And, finally, what message would you like to convey to our international readers?

The horizon I envision for the Purebred Menorquin Horse, and toward which my board of directors and I work tirelessly, is orchestrated as a project of collective consciousness.

If we succeed in cementing this sensitivity — first within Menorca and subsequently extending it to the rest of the world —there will be no limits to what this purpose can achieve.

I do not pursue a purely economic transcendence; my aspiration is to preserve the very soul and essence of our tradition within a framework of utmost professionalism, rigor, and a dedicated vocation to service.

To secure this future, we are deploying a long-term strategy rooted in education, talent, and global alliances.

The generational succession constitutes our most valuable capital.

To this end, we have designed a pioneering program: the ‘Equestrian Erasmus’ —an exchange platform conceived so that young enthusiasts and researchers from every corner of the globe can come to Menorca, live alongside us, and immerse themselves in our unique culture of horse management and breeding.

Likewise, during each edition of the Menorca Horse Week, we dedicate the inaugural day entirely to schoolchildren, gathering nearly 9,000 children for interactive, educational workshops.

Transmitting this legacy to new generations is our historic responsibility to guarantee tomorrow.

On the international stage, our roadmap contemplates the creation of the ‘Guest Territory’ concept.

We wish to invite prestigious global equine institutions to travel to the island with their own specimens and traditions to converge upon a shared stage.

We are already in close contact with the legendary French academy, the Cadre Noir de Saumur, and we keep our sights firmly set on the excellence of the Real Escuela Andaluza, as well as the rich equestrian cultures of Morocco and the Arab world.

Our horse is the fruit of centuries of historical convergences —Arabic, English, French, and Spanish—, so expanding its borders through institutional twinships is something that inherently belongs to our very nature.

To the international readers of The Ambassadors Sections, who are deeply sensitive to excellence and authenticity, I would say that the Menorquin horse is a philosophy of life.

Anyone who welcomes one of our specimens into their stables is not merely acquiring a material asset; they are incorporating an indissoluble piece of the land of Menorca, an ethical commitment to mutual respect, circularity, and environmental and cultural sustainability.

It is a reciprocal sentiment of protection. If you wish to discover a completely different, profound, and authentic way to explore the world through the finest equestrian culture, we await you in Menorca with open arms.

Here, our Purebred Menorquin Horse is, and will always remain, our most noble and distinguished Ambassador.

TOLO MERCADAL

PRESIDENT

THE ASSOCIATION OF MENORQUIN HORSE BREEDERS AND OWNERS

By Patricia Pal

Mahón – Menorca

July 29th 2026

Menorca, «Balearic Islands, Sustainable Excellence»

The Ambassadors Sections

July 2026 Edition

FDI Intelligence for HNWI International Investors

NastaONE International Communication & Foreign Investment Trends

Puedes leer la Entrevista Completa en Español aquí

TOLO MERCADAL

President

THE ASSOCIATION OF MENORQUIN HORSE BREEDERS AND OWNERS

MENORCA, «BALEARIC ISLANDS, SUSTAINABLE EXCELLENCE»

July Edition 2026

The Ambassadors Sections

NastaONE International Communication & Foreign Investment Trends

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