THERE WAS great excitement throughout Gusserane parish at the weekend as one of the world’s most coveted equestrian trophies ‘came home’.

The Melbourne Cup was brought to the area by Walter Power, co-owner of Protectionist, the horse that won this year’s prestigious race.

One of the world’s premiere sporting events the Melbourne Cup is up with the likes of the Aintree Grand National in terms of prestige and honour and for the Power family of Dunmain having part-ownership of the race’s winning horse puts them into a very unique and small group of people.

When Mr. Power brought the cup into Gusserane National School on Thursday he was literally swamped by excited pupils eager to get close to the prized trophy.

Mr. Power, who is a past-pupil of the school was accompanied by his dad, Ned.

School Principal, Tony Heuston, thanked Mr. Power for brining the trophy into the school and throughout the week expressions of congratulations were conveyed to the Power family home as the people of the parish celebrated a unique historical occasion.