The Crusaders confirmed on Tuesday the horses will be retired due to safety concerns and limited space at One New Zealand Stadium.
It said 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.
A petition has now been launched on change.org in a bid to continue the tradition at the new stadium.
The Save The Crusaders Matchday Horses petition had 415 signatures on Thursday afternoon.
"This decision that has come from stadium management would bring to an end a tradition that has been part of Crusaders rugby since 1996," the petition read.
"For nearly 30 years, the horses have been more than just a pre-game spectacle. Conquest of Paradise ringing out over the loud speakers, those horses running around the field while the crowd stand and cheer, creating long lasting memories for children and adults alike - this is all part of the match day experience and a tradition deeply tied to the identity of the club and its supporters.
"But this comes at a time when fans have already seen other changes to the club’s identity, including the loss of the iconic Crusaders logo and of course our stadium. Now, another long-standing part of match day history is at risk of being lost.
"For many supporters, this feels like more than change - it feels like parts of the club’s identity and shared memories being slowly removed.
"We understand the realities of modern stadiums and the challenges that come with them. However, traditions like this carry emotional and cultural value that cannot easily be replaced or dismissed."
The petition is calling for the stadium organisers to:
- Recognise the importance of the horses to the club’s identity
- Commit to preserving the matchday horses tradition in future
- Ensure this iconic part of Crusaders rugby is not lost
"This is about protecting what makes Crusaders rugby feel like Crusaders rugby — not just a team, but a legacy built over decades," the petition stated.
Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge said on Tuesday the decision to retire the horses was not 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," Mansbridge said in a statement.
“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."
He said "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.
-Allied Media
