The Great Legend of ‘El Largo’ (The Long One)
Don Eduardo Yebra Romero, known to all as El Largo, was a true emblem of the Alpujarra. To know him was to draw from an endless well of wisdom, courtesy, good manners, and kindness—seasoned with a touch of genius that made him unforgettable. No one who crossed paths with Eduardo remained indifferent, and this letter is written especially for those who never had the privilege of meeting him.
Eduardo grew up in a humble household led by a remarkable matriarch—a tall, graceful woman of impeccable character. Her upbringing shaped him profoundly; her advice stayed with him throughout his life, guiding him and offering a model he always aspired to follow. His father was a well-known cattle dealer in the region, and from him Eduardo learned the trade that would become both his profession and his way of life—one he approached with equal measures of passion and intelligence.
He began learning this craft as a child, attending school only briefly but receiving instead an extraordinary education from life itself. So quick-witted was he that at just twelve years old he closed his first business deal unaided, outsmarting the oldest and most seasoned trader in the area—a man known for being especially hard to negotiate with. Eduardo told this story with pride, for it marked the beginning of a journey that defined him.
Eduardo and his brothers shared a distinctive look—a family hallmark: tall, slim, sharp-featured—traits that reflected the strong lineage from which they came.
Before speaking of Eduardo’s refined manners, I must highlight one defining trait: El Largo never turned his back on anyone while speaking. He was always polite and courteous. His greeting was both distinctive and timeless—he would tip his hat like a true gentleman, inclining his head slightly. His gaze was steady and sincere, always meeting the eyes of the person before him. His handshake was firm and carried more weight than any notary’s signature; when El Largo shook your hand, the agreement was sealed—and that was that.
He was, in every sense, a gentleman of a bygone era. Within him lived a remarkable blend of qualities: on one hand, he possessed a careful, almost aristocratic upbringing; on the other, he could be blunt and coarse. He tended his roses with delicate devotion, yet neglected his own health, venturing into the Sierra with pneumonia and a fever of 40º. He couldn’t resist cigarettes, nor did he watch his diet. He adored exquisite horses—animals of rare beauty and high value—yet had no problem sitting every day on an old, broken sofa.
These contrasts made Eduardo a singular, unforgettable man. Trying to change him was futile; he was faithful to his nature, and as the saying goes, he remained “genio y figura hasta la sepultura.” No one ever managed to bend El Largo’s character.
He was passionate, fiercely defending his honour, his family, his beliefs, and his way of life. This very intensity occasionally brought him trouble, but nothing and no one could break him—except illness. When sickness came, Eduardo no longer felt like himself. He could not exert his body as he once did, and although he rarely said it aloud, the sadness showed in his eyes, in a certain melancholy, in the dimming of his once-unshakable confidence.
Still, he confronted his fears and chose to undergo a life-or-death transplant. True to form, El Largo faced the challenge head-on. In the end, he did not win the battle—but no one can ever say he didn’t fight with every last ounce of courage he had.
His nickname, El Largo, came from his striking height—tall and slim like a young asparagus shoot. He was also easily recognised by his beard, as seen in the photos, and by his slightly long hair, his corduroy or denim trousers, his shirt, and often a waistcoat completing the look. In short, he had the air of a gentleman from another era.
But to truly understand what Eduardo was like, I must mention something that photos cannot capture: his voice. It was deep and resonant, a voice that carried effortlessly across long distances. His animals knew it by heart, and heaven help the beast that ignored one of his commands—ha, ha, ha! His voice could be a little imposing, especially when he was angry, but like the foam on a beer, it rose quickly and settled just as fast.
Beneath that strong exterior, Eduardo was pure kindness—a soft heart wrapped in the character and temperament typical of true geniuses. After all, there isn’t a single great figure in history who didn’t possess a powerful character.
He was a man of simple, genuine passions: nature, animals, his roses… and above all, his family. He could grumble endlessly about his children, his wife, or his siblings, but he would never tolerate anyone else saying a single word against them. His greatest passion, without question, was his wife Carmen, whom he affectionately called “la Cabreras.” They met when they were little more than children and soon built a large family of five, remaining inseparable throughout their lives.
Carmen is a beautiful blonde woman with green eyes, but beyond her appearance, she is an extraordinary person. Living alongside Eduardo was not always easy—his presence and character were immense—but Carmen always knew how to navigate his storms. Here, the saying holds perfectly true: behind every great man stands a great woman, and vice versa.
Although the family, like any other, faced difficult moments, their bond always prevailed. Carmen was Eduardo’s hands and feet; he conquered the world because she stood beside him. She gave him the strength and determination to overcome any obstacle, and no one ever understood El Largo the way she did.
Carmen is tireless—a woman who gives everything for her family and never loses her smile. Surrounded all her life by men of strong character, she has always been the glue holding the entire family together.
Looking back to his beginnings, it’s clear that from childhood Eduardo travelled with his cattle through nearly every village in the region, selling animals to the locals—sometimes on horseback, sometimes on foot. He crossed much of the Alpujarra, first alongside his father, and later, still just a child, entirely on his own. He was what one could truly call a cattle trader with capital letters.
Eduardo was naturally sharp, but the world of buying and selling animals awakened in him an instinct and intelligence that were exceptional. Most of the time he managed to live comfortably, though there were occasional lean periods. Yet he never gave up—he always found a solution. There was never a shortage of food at home; perhaps fewer luxuries, but never true hardship.
There were days when he had to sleep outdoors—on a village square or up in the mountains. He did it with fever, with stomach pain, or with whatever ailment he happened to have. Nothing kept him from his duties. When I recount these stories, it sounds as though I’m speaking of a man who lived centuries ago. But this life of sacrifice—travelling on horseback or on foot from village to village—was lived by Eduardo in the 1960s and 70s.
For many, El Largo was the last of the old-style traders in the Alpujarra. With him, a trade, a worldview, and a way of life faded into history. That is why Eduardo Yebra was truly special—unique. His lifestyle no longer exists today; it vanished with his generation.
Hence the title: “The Great Legend of El Largo.”
With time, Eduardo settled in Laroles—the village of his beloved Carmen—and as the head of the family he dedicated himself more fully to grazing in the Sierra de Laroles. Yet he never abandoned his cattle in the open countryside, roaming in true freedom, nor did he stop travelling to distant villages to conduct business.
Among his children, it is his son Antonio who has most closely followed in his footsteps, inheriting his love for livestock and country life. Still, each of Eduardo’s children carries a part of him: some share his character, others his physical presence, his generous heart, or his capacity for hard work and sacrifice.
But here, let us focus on Antonio, the heart behind Equi-Libre Sierra Nevada. Today, he keeps free-ranging cattle in the Sierra Nevada and cares for the horses and mules that make his routes possible—routes that he loves deeply. In many ways, Antonio is the guardian of Eduardo’s legacy, the one who keeps alive the life his father loved so much.
Eduardo witnessed the birth of this equestrian project that brings Antonio such joy. For this reason, Equi-Libre Sierra Nevada is far more than a business to Antonio—it is a fulfilled dream. And what makes it even more meaningful is that his father lived to see that dream take shape before he passed.
When you take a tour with Equi-Libre Sierra Nevada, you are not just exploring the stunning landscapes of the Sierra and Alpujarras—you are travelling through time, following the traditional ways that Eduardo taught his children. It is far more than a typical tourist route; it is a journey into the past experienced in the present, connecting you with nature and with your own inner self.
It is impossible to capture in a few lines the full measure of who Don Eduardo Yebra Romero was. His life was filled with countless anecdotes, lessons, and pieces of wisdom. With this letter, I hope at least to give readers a small glimpse of his character, his heart, and his spirit as a countryman who was always deeply connected to the land. In short, Eduardo was a great man—true to his word and committed to doing things well.
Eduardo left us in the summer of 2021. His funeral was nearly a state occasion; hundreds followed his coffin, and the grief of an entire community hung in the air. It was moving to see his family at the front, composed and dignified, yet carrying profound sorrow. Though his death came too soon, Eduardo had already lived fully—savouring life in small, meaningful moments. He no longer had unfulfilled dreams, and he embraced the simple joys, which, as he always said, is the secret of happiness. For all of us who knew him, he was a remarkable teacher of life. To know Eduardo was to love and admire him.
Surely now he watches over his family from the sky, riding a white horse, a smile on his face, and perhaps still scolding them just enough to keep them on the right path.
Farewell, Eduardo Yebra Romero—‘El Largo’.
Come and see my world!
Discover my animals in their natural habitat and experience the unique beauty of Andalusia.
