Whether you're considering your move to Spain or already live here, it's always refreshing to hear about others' stories and find out about some of the people who live here. That's why we are conducting quick 10-minute interviews with colleagues, clients, friends and acquaintances so you get an insight into the type of people living here and day-to-day life here in Spain!

Veronica Rippon, together with her husband Roland owns and runs Los Prados Equestrian livery in Alhaurin El Grande on the Costa del Sol.

Links

Visit Los Padros Equestrian Livery's Website | Follow Los Padros Equestrian on Facebook

1. How long have you lived on the Costa del Sol for?

I moved to the Costa del Sol in December 2015. My partner Roland and I had been childhood sweethearts and had wanted to marry when we were 17, but unfortunately, my mother was fiercely against it and split us up. Our parents were very close family friends so we saw each other over the years at family functions, but had never spent any time together in the intervening 33 years. We had both married and had children, and then in 2015 Roland happened to be in the UK and we arranged to meet up for a coffee and a catch-up. Neither of us realised the other was then single again until we met, and the rest, as they say, is history! 

Roland had been living in Alhaurin el Grande since 2002, so of course I moved here to join him!

2. What made you want to open a business on the Costa del Sol? 

Roland had converted the house from a fruit pickers hut to a large house with a pool, he had then built the stables and Los Prados Equestrian came into existence in 2005, although in a much smaller capacity, it was more of a hobby yard with 6 or 7 horses, rather than a business when I moved here. Roland and I met originally through horses, and have both had a lifetime of riding and caring for horses, so it was a natural progression that I took over the running of the yard. It has grown considerably since those days, we have built more stables, a bathroom with a customer shower, lots more field shelters for the horses, installed an updated misting system for the horses, and built an office to name a few things.  In 2022 we also took over a neighbouring yard to provide more spaces, and currently have 41 horses to provide full care for every day. 

3. What’s the best thing about the Costa del Sol as a place to live in your opinion? 

I love the climate, the Spanish lifestyle, the fact that Spanish people are so family orientated, the access to delicious, fresh food, the space and the beautiful countryside. I really appreciate the wide, open spaces, and the lack of crowds and traffic. 

4. Give us a brief description of what you get up to on your usual working day.

My days are very varied, On the days I am not supervising the staff on the yard, I work mainly in the office at the stables, I do all the admin for the yard which there is a surprising amount of,  I plan pony camps, lessons, events and I also sell products for horses for their skin and hooves, so I also have customers dropping in to buy products, or I am providing customer care for our livery customers. I also deal with any issues arising for the horses in our care, and  I deal with any equine and human first aid that arises and any other things that need dealing with. On other days I am supervising the staff on the yard and caring for the horses, which are my days to spend more time directly in contact with horses, which is most definitely my happy place!

5. How has business been for you in the past two years?

Business has been great for us for the last two years. Having spent many years building the reputation of Los Prados for the level of care we provide, we have a lot of clients who come to us wanting to access a yard that really does put the needs of the horse above all else. A few clients have left due to house moves or taking their horses home after building stables, but the spaces seem to be filled immediately, and we often have a waiting list. We had one client who took their horse home to retire last year after having been with us for 17 years!

6. How do you enjoy spending your weekends and free time?

I work over the weekends and usually take weekdays off instead, however, I find that because I love what I do, I allow the lines between work time and free time to be very blurred, so I spend most of my free time also around horses! My partner and I love to eat out, and I love to read, and I make rosettes for horse shows which I enjoy the creativity of as well as having some quiet time at home to make them. My working days are so busy that I adore having a day to potter quietly at home with our dogs. I was a keen scuba diver in the UK and achieved my Master Scuba Diver rating and am currently just revisiting my scuba skills, so before long I’ll have days out diving locally to add to my list of leisure activities. 

7. If you could be in charge of any other business here on the Costa del Sol for a day, which would it be and why?

I was a primary school teacher in the UK, and I also provide maths tutoring for children here. I’d love to spend a day being able to access the Spanish school curriculum and really be able to digest and understand it.

Alternatively, I’d love to run a scuba diving school for a day and introduce people to the wonders of underwater life. 

8. What’s your favourite food?

Oh gosh, how to choose? I adore all fruit and vegetables, but I also love baking, so any sort of cake is a favourite. Having been diagnosed with diabetes last year, I have had to cut all sweet treats out now though, but I make a very nice sugar-free flapjack with some stem ginger in which is my current favourite treat.

9. Describe what your perfect home on the Costa del Sol would be like and where it would be.

I love where I live, and Alhaurin el Grande itself and wouldn’t want to change that, however, I also love being by the sea, and I particularly like the area around Torrox Costa, so maybe  I would have a holiday home there too! 

10. What Tip would you like to share with others contemplating coming to live in Spain?

I would always advise people to rent a house before buying unless they know the area well, to check that it really suits them. Some of the towns and villages seem to have a personality of their own, so it’s important to ensure you pick the right one for yourself. 

11. Who would be your perfect dinner guest?

I would love to have dinner with either Dame Helen Mirren DBE, or with Peter Kay

12. What would you like to ask your next “10 Minutes with” guest?

What was your original motivation for moving to Spain rather than any other country, and why pick the Costa Del Sol in particular?

Thank you Veronica for taking the time to answer our quick questions! If anyone reading this would like to take part in our "10 Minutes With..." Interviews then please contact us.