The Crusaders confirm horses will not feature at One New Zealand Stadium
The Crusaders have confirmed the Crusaders horses will not be a part of matchday experiences at One New Zealand Stadium, following extensive planning and assessment ahead of the move into the new venue later this month.
While the horses have been much-loved by our fans and a symbolic part of the Crusaders matchday for many years, safety must come first. Due to the design and limited space at One New Zealand Stadium, the horses cannot be safely accommodated – leading to the incredibly difficult decision to retire the Crusaders horses.
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.
One New Zealand Stadium is a $672 million, multi-use venue built for the whole community. This is not a venue built solely for the Crusaders. It’s designed to bring crowds closer to the action across sport and live entertainment and while that vision has been achieved, it represents a significant shift from previous venues used by the Crusaders.
Lancaster Park, as a cricket ground, allowed for significant space around the field, while Apollo Projects Stadium had stands set further back, making it possible for the horses to operate outside the field of play.
Crusaders Chief Executive Colin Mansbridge says the decision has not been taken lightly.
“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. 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.”
Significant time, money and effort were invested in exploring ways to keep the horses as part of the matchday experience. This included turf protection measures, planning new flooring through the horse tunnel, purchasing specialised rugs for the horses, and camera location changes by broadcast partner SKY to accommodate the horses.
Despite these efforts, the constraints of the new stadium meant we couldn’t ensure the safety of the horses and everyone in the venue.
The six Crusaders horses represent the six provincial unions of the top of the South Island: Tasman, Buller, West Coast, South Canterbury, Mid Canterbury and Canterbury. They are an important part of our club’s legacy and have been part of our pre-match entertainment at home games since Super Rugby’s inception in 1996.
For every single home game, the horses and riders have led the team out onto the field and stood as a visual reminder of Canterbury’s heritage and strength. Generations of supporters have grown up with this tradition.
Mark Donald, spokesperson for the riding group, says the decision was made under circumstances beyond his control, and he and the rest of the riders are devastated.
“The infrastructure at the new stadium is simply not compatible with the Crusaders horses which is incredibly disappointing,” he says.
“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.
“We are grateful for the overwhelming support we have 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 says the move into One New Zealand Stadium represents 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. 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.
The club acknowledges this will be disappointing for many supporters and thanks fans for their understanding.
More information on this decision can be found below.