Crusaders Horses Decision - FAQ
Why won’t the horses be part of Crusaders matchdays at One New Zealand Stadium?
One New Zealand Stadium has been designed to bring fans closer to the action than ever before. While that creates an incredible atmosphere, it also means there is significantly less space around the field of play. After extensive planning and assessment, we weren’t able to find a way to safely accommodate the horses within those constraints. The safety of the horses, players, staff and everyone in the venue must come first.
How can you make this decision knowing how loved the horses are?
We know how deeply loved the horses are, and that’s exactly why this decision was so hard. This decision hurts us all deeply as an organisation.
The horses have been part of who we are for 30 years. They represent tradition, emotion and some of the most powerful moments in Crusaders history. That connection isn’t lost on us, and it never will be. They will always be a special part of the Crusaders story.
But loving the horses also means putting their wellbeing first. After extensive planning and genuine effort to make this work, we weren’t able to find a solution that we were confident wouldn’t put anyone at risk. When it came down to it, we couldn’t justify compromising the safety of horses, players or fans.
This has been an incredibly difficult decision, and one that has taken a long time, a lot of discussion and careful consideration.
How exactly did the Crusaders try to make this work?
We want our fans to know that no stone was left unturned.
A significant amount of time, money and effort was invested alongside our partners to explore ways to keep the horses as part of matchday at the new stadium. This included:
- Investing in turf protection measures, including astroturf for the corners of the field and protective covers for all 26 irrigation and power boxes embedded in the ground.
- Planning new rubber flooring through the horse tunnel
- Purchasing specialised horse rugs to manage increased temperatures
- Broadcast changes by SKY, including relocating a camera position to accommodate the horses
- Looking at other ways the horses could appear in the stadium that didn’t include cantering around the perimeter of the field
Why have you only just found out now? Did you know earlier?
We want to make it very clear; this decision has only just been made, and up until now, the horses were going to be joining us at One New Zealand Stadium. We would not have spent significant time and money on this otherwise. The horses were planned to be at our test event on April 16th and had already been factored into the planning of this event, Super Round and all Crusaders home games.
This has been a long and incredibly time-consuming process. As outlined above, every single viable option was explored, but exhausted. As plans for One New Zealand Stadium progressed, we continued to explore whether the horses could be safely accommodated within the final design and operational setup of the venue. That work took time and involved multiple parties, including stadium operators, turf specialists, safety experts and broadcast partners.
We didn’t want to make a final decision until we were 100% confident every option had been explored and ultimately ruled out. Unfortunately, we have only just conceded we couldn’t achieve a solution that met the required safety standards.
What exactly makes the new stadium different to other venues?
One New Zealand Stadium is a multi‑use venue built for the whole community, not just rugby. From the outset, it was designed to create an intimate, close‑to‑the‑action experience across sport and live entertainment. This has been achieved, and we can’t wait for our fans to experience a game so close to the field. However, this is very different to our previous homes.
Lancaster Park, as a cricket ground, had significant space around the field. Apollo Projects Stadium had stands set further back. Those layouts made it possible for the horses to operate safely outside the field of play. At the new stadium, that space simply isn’t there.
Why was protecting the field of play such an important factor in the decision? Why is it dangerous if the horses step on the field of play?
Because of the limited space around the field, the horses would not have been able to avoid the playing surface. That raised concerns around the safety of the horses themselves as the grass is significantly more slippery than the astroturf that was going to be installed on the corners of the field. Trying to keep the surface that the horses run on consistent is also really important.
Ultimately, it was not possible for the horses to completely avoid the field. This would also have caused potential injury risks for players, as the horses would have ripped up the grass, making the playing surface uneven.
Why can’t the horses just be walked on a small section of the field that avoids the field of play?
At One New Zealand Stadium, there simply isn’t a section of the field or surrounds that allows the horses to be safely separated from the playing surface, or that isn’t taken up by broadcast cameras or other tech equipment.
Because majority of these horses are competitive polo ponies, they are more likely to get spooked if they are going slower as they can see more. If they are going fast, they are less likely to be spooked by moving objects surrounding them. Therefore, it’s more of a risk to spectators, staff, riders and the horses themselves to have the horses walking rather than cantering.
Why didn’t the designers of the stadium take the horses into account?
One New Zealand Stadium is a multi‑use venue built for the whole community – not solely for the Crusaders.
From the outset, the stadium was designed to host a wide range of events, including rugby, other sports and live entertainment, with a strong focus on bringing crowds closer to the action. That design delivers an incredible atmosphere, but it also means there is far less space around the field than at our previous venues.
While the horses are a cherished part of Crusaders tradition, designing a modern, multi‑use stadium around a single matchday ritual wasn’t feasible.
Did the Crusaders have input into the stadium design at all?
The stadium design was led by the stadium designer, primarily to build a multi-use arena, however we were consulted on our activities. We were clear about our matchday requirements.
Will the horses still be involved at all in Crusaders traditions outside of the stadium?
We’re currently working through what, if any role the horses might play in future outside of the stadium.
What will happen with the horses now?
The wellbeing of the horses remains a priority. We’re working closely with the horsemen to ensure the horses continue to be cared for appropriately, and to determine what the next chapter looks like for them beyond matchday involvement at One New Zealand Stadium.
As with everything throughout this process, those decisions will be guided by care, responsibility and respect for the role the horses have played in Crusaders history.
We didn’t know it was the horses last time at Apollo Projects Stadium. Will you organise something so we can properly say goodbye?
The Crusaders horses and Horsemen will always be a special part of the Crusaders story, and we’re currently working through how we can appropriately acknowledge and thank them for the three decades of service they have given our club and all they have contributed to the Crusaders story. We’ll share more on this when it’s confirmed.
Will there be a new matchday ritual to replace the horses?
We know rituals matter. They’re part of what makes being a Crusaders fan so special, but this is something that will take time, and we want to get this right.
When the time is right, and we’ve had space to process this decision, we’ll engage our community on what a future matchday ritual could look like – one that honours our past while embracing this new chapter.
How will you represent the six provincial unions now?
Our six provincial unions are important to our club, and we will always recognise them in everything we do, from the coloured peaks on our jersey design and other merchandise we wear proudly every day. They are integral to what we do, and the horses are just one way of recognising that. However, they are a big part, so we want to take the time to work out how we will properly acknowledge them in future, and ensure any new ritual represents them.
What does this mean for the matchday experience?
While this change will take time to sink in, we’re incredibly excited about what One New Zealand Stadium offers.
Fans will be closer to the action than ever before, creating an atmosphere that’s intense, intimate and unforgettable. Our focus is on delivering a matchday experience that our supporters can enjoy for generations to come. We still have many special rituals, traditions and activations that won’t change as we enter our new home.
Will Conquest of Paradise still be played at games?
Absolutely. The team takes the field as Conquest of Paradise is playing. This has been another long-standing tradition of the Crusaders, and this won’t change.
What would you say to fans who are disappointed?
We know this hurts, we are hurting too. We understand this is disappointing news for many, and that feeling is valid. It’s ok to be upset, the Crusaders horses are all we’ve ever known for 30 years, and for some it will take some time to process this.
The horses mean a lot to our fans, and they always will. We’re grateful for the care, passion and understanding our Crusaders whānau continue to show as we move into this next chapter together.