The Crusaders have confirmed its beloved horses will not be a part of matchday experiences at their new home ground.
The decision comes ahead of the Christchurch-based team's move to the One New Zealand Stadium later this month, following what the club says was "extensive planning" to try and retain the long-standing tradition.
Chief executive Colin Mansbridge said the "incredibly difficult" 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," 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."
The six Crusaders horses circling around the field have been a part of the club's pre-match tradition for more than 30 years, dating back to Super Rugby's inception in 1996.
The club said the design and limited space at the $672 million multi-use stadium meant the horses could no longer be safely accommodated.
With less room around the field, the animals would not be able avoid the playing surface, creating risks to themselves and others at the venue.
Previous venues, including Lancaster Park and Apollo Projects Stadium, allowed more space for the horses to operate safely outside the field of play.
"Ultimately, safety must come first, even when the emotional cost is high," Mansbridge said.
The Crusaders said significant time and money had been spent exploring options to keep the horses involved, including turf protection measures, changes to tunnel flooring and adjustments to camera positions.
However, those efforts were not enough to overcome the constraints of the new stadium.
Mark Donald, a spokesperson for the riding group, said those involved were “devastated” by the decision.
"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," Donald said.
“After three decades, this is not how we hoped things would end.”
Mansbridge said while the decision to retire the horses would "take time to sink in", a new pre-match ritual would be decided on when the time was right.
“We’re incredibly proud of the traditions that have shaped The Crusaders, and the horses will always be a special part of our story."
The horses were originally ridden by knights, but in the wake of the March 15 terrorist attack, riders representing the Crusaders' six provincial unions rode them.
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