New Zealand's Crusaders Retire Iconic Matchday Horses After Nearly 30 Years, Citing Safety Concerns

The Crusaders horsemen take part in their traditional pre-game parade in Christchurch, New Zealand, on May 6, 2023
Credit: SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• The Crusaders, a professional New Zealand rugby team, will retire their iconic matchday horses as they move to a new stadium
• Officials said the stadium's design and limited space make it unsafe for the horses to participate in game ceremonies
• The team plans to honor the horses and riders while creating a new pre-game tradition for fans

A decades-long game-day tradition is coming to an emotional end for one of rugby's most recognizable teams.

The Crusaders, a New Zealand-based professional rugby union team known for their dominant presence in Super Rugby, announced on Tuesday, April 14, that their iconic matchday horses will no longer be part of pre-game ceremonies as the team prepares to move into a new stadium later this month.

According to a team press release, the decision was made after "extensive planning and assessment," with officials ultimately determining that the horses could not be safely accommodated at One New Zealand Stadium "due to the design and limited space."

A Crusaders horsemen at a match on May 27, 2023, in Christchurch, New Zealand
Credit: James Foy/Getty

While the presence of six horses (representing the region's provincial unions) has been a staple of Crusaders home games since the team's inception in 1996, the new venue's design presents significant limitations.

"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," the release shared.

The Crusaders' chief executive, Colin Mansbridge, acknowledged the emotional weight behind the decision.

"This is a decision that really hurts because the horses have been part of who we are from the very beginning," he said. "We've tried our absolute best to make this work…Ultimately, safety must come first, even when the emotional cost is high."

Per the release, the team explored multiple solutions to preserve the tradition, including turf protection measures, adjustments to stadium infrastructure, and broadcast camera placements. Still, none could guarantee a safe environment.

For many fans, the horses, which would lead the team onto the field as music played, became synonymous with the Crusaders' identity, symbolizing strength, heritage, and continuity through major events.

"We have been through everything with this team. From the earthquakes, then the mosque attack and COVID," said Mark Donald, a spokesperson for the riding group. "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."

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The move to the $672 million multi-use stadium marks a new chapter for the club, one that officials say will eventually include a reimagined pre-game tradition.

The Crusaders horsemen take part in their traditional pre-game parade at Apollo Projects Stadium on February 14, 2025
Credit: SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty

"We're incredibly proud of the traditions that have shaped The Crusaders, and the horses will always be a special part of our story," Mansbridge said, adding that the organization will take time for this decision to process before introducing audiences to "a new ritual" for the event.

Mansbridge goes on to note that, given the significance of the horses and the riders, the organization is "working through how to appropriately acknowledge and thank them for their contribution to our club and will confirm this in due course."

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