The Crusaders’ cavalry of mascot knights and horses have been retired after 30 years, ahead of their move to their new stadium in Christchurch.
The 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.
Beloved by spectators, the cavalry will no longer be part of the home spectator experience for safety reasons when the Crusaders play the NSW Waratahs in the inaugural match 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.”
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The new stadium has been built to replace the Crusaders’ original home of Lancaster Park, which was left in ruins by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake that killed 185 people.
Since the earthquake, the most successful side in Super Rugby history, with 13 championships, have had a temporary home at the city’s Rugby League Park.
The club had considered turf protection measures and specialised floor rugs to accommodate the horses in the new state-of-the-art indoor arena.
“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.
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Mark Donald, who leads the riding group, said the decision was 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 3 April, ahead of the 69-26 home victory over the Fijian Drua.
– AFP
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
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