EMBARKING on a three-year search for a suitable new home is Festina Lente, the hugely successful equestrian training organisation, currently based in Bray, Co Wicklow.

It is the biggest of its type in Ireland, helping over 450 people each week and employing over 60 staff with an additional 60 volunteer helpers. Festina Lente, which means ‘Hasten Slowly’, has built up an international reputation and last year hosted the influential HETI conference (Horses in Education and Theraphy International) with 400 delegates from 44 countries, and is at the forefront of research for use of equine facilitated learning.