The symbolic Crusaders horses won’t be part of matchday experiences at Christchurch’s new One New Zealand Stadium, bringing nearly three decades of tradition to a close.
The Crusaders confirmed today that the horses will be retired, citing safety concerns tied to the design and limited space at the new venue.
The club said the confined layout around the field meant the six horses could not operate without risk.
“With limited space around the field, the six horses would not have been able to avoid the playing surface, compromising their own safety, the condition of the turf and creating potential injury risks for players and others in the venue.”
Six horses have led the Crusaders out at every home game since 1996.
Previous venues had allowed the tradition to thrive.
Lancaster Park provided significant space around the field, while Apollo Projects Stadium featured stands set further back, enabling the horses to remain outside the playing field.
Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge said the call had been deeply emotional.
“This is a decision that really hurts because the horses have been part of who we are from the very beginning, and we know how much they mean to our fans,” he said.
“That feeling of watching them run out in front of a packed crowd, while Conquest of Paradise plays, is a feeling I will never forget.
“We’ve tried our absolute best to make this work, and we want our Crusaders whānau to know we have left no stone unturned.
“Ultimately, safety must come first, even when the emotional cost is high.”
The Crusaders explored multiple options to preserve the tradition, including turf protection measures, new flooring through the horse tunnel, specialised rugs and adjustments to camera positions.
Despite those efforts, the constraints of the new stadium proved difficult.
The six horses represent the provincial unions across the top of the South Island: Tasman, Buller, West Coast, South Canterbury, Mid Canterbury and Canterbury. Since Super Rugby’s inception in 1996, they have led the team onto the field at every home game, becoming a defining part of the Crusaders’ identity.
Mark Donald, spokesperson for the riding group, said the decision was devastating.
“The infrastructure at the new stadium is simply not compatible with the Crusaders horses, which is incredibly disappointing,” he said.
“We have been through everything with this team. From the earthquakes, then the mosque attack and Covid.
“The Crusaders mean everything to us; we aren’t just guys who ride horses around a field, we are an important part of this club, and this is what hurts the most.”
He said he was grateful for the “overwhelming support” received from the community and the Crusaders themselves.
“After three decades, this is not how we hoped things would end. It hurts to say goodbye to something that has been such a big part of our lives.
“Our commitment to horsemanship, to our riders, and to the people of Christchurch remains unwavering.”
Mansbridge said the move into One New Zealand Stadium marked a new chapter.
“We’re incredibly proud of the traditions that have shaped the Crusaders, and the horses will always be a special part of our story,” he said.
“While this decision will take time to sink in, when the time is right, we’ll engage our community on what a new ritual could look like.
“But for now, we want to recognise what the horses and riders have done for us and our club for three decades.
“We are working through how to appropriately acknowledge and thank them for their contribution to our club and will confirm this in due course.”