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Crusaders' Match-Day Horses Put Out to Pasture
The club said the horses cannot be safely accommodated at Te Kaha after 30 years of pre-match runs, despite attempts to preserve the ritual.
- On Tuesday, the Crusaders announced the end of their 30-year pre-match horse run-out tradition, citing safety and space constraints at the new Te Kaha stadium in Christchurch.
- Since Super Rugby began in 1996, the horses led the team onto the field at previous venues, becoming a defining part of the Crusaders' identity for three decades.
- Despite efforts to retain the horses, Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge stated the new venue's limited space makes it impossible to safely accommodate them; the team explored turf protection and specialized rugs.
- Mark Donald, spokesperson for the riding group, said they were "devastated" by the decision, calling the new infrastructure "simply not compatible" with the horses and "incredibly disappointing."
- Before the first match against the New South Wales Waratahs on April 24, the Crusaders will work to appropriately acknowledge and thank the riders for their three-decade contribution.
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Crusaders retire horses due to safety at new stadium
The Crusaders said on Tuesday that their cavalry of mascot knights and horses, beloved by spectators, had been retired after 30 years because of next week’s move to their new stadium in Christchurch. The Crusaders’ team of six horses and knights have fired up the home fans ahead of kick-off since the Super Rugby side’s inception in 1996. Safety reasons But they will not be part of the home spectator experience for safety reasons when the Crusade…
·Johannesburg, South Africa
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources34
Leaning Left3Leaning Right7Center14Last UpdatedBias Distribution58% Center
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources are Center
58% Center
13%
C 58%
R 29%
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