Final Ride: Crusaders Horses Bow Out After 30 Years Before Stadium Switch
The Canterbury Crusaders’ horse-and-knight mascots made their final appearance April 3 before the move to One New Zealand Stadium. The 30-year pre-game tradition ends due to safety and turf concerns at the new indoor venue.
Crusaders’ mascot cavalry retired as team moves to new indoor stadium...
The Canterbury Crusaders announced Tuesday that their cavalry of mascot knights and horses, a fan favorite for three decades, has been retired due to the team’s move next week to a new stadium in Christchurch.
The Crusaders’ six-horse knight squad has fired up home crowds before kick-off since the Super Rugby club began in 1996.
But they won’t be part of the match-day experience for safety reasons when the Crusaders face the NSW Waratahs in the inaugural game at the 30,000-seat One New Zealand Stadium next Friday.
“This is a decision that really hurts because the horses have been part of who we are from the very beginning,” said Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge.
“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.”
The new stadium was built to replace the Crusaders’ original home at Lancaster Park, which was left in ruins by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake that killed 185 people.
The most successful team in Super Rugby history, with 13 titles, has played at a temporary home since the quake at the city’s Rugby League Park..
The club looked at turf protection and specialised floor rugs to accommodate the horses in the new state-of-the-art indoor arena.
the crusaders horses not coming to the new stadium was not on my 2026 bucket list 💔
— sam 🤍 (@samxnicole02) April 14, 2026
“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 Crusaders said.
Mark Donald, who leads the riding group, called the decision devastating.
“We have been through everything with this team,” he said.
“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.”
The horses made their final appearance on April 3, before the 69-26 home win against Fijian Drua.
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