Crusaders Bid Farewell to Mascot Horses After 30 Years Ahead of New Stadium Opening
Crusaders retire horses after 30 years due to safety at new stadium
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The Canterbury Crusaders have retired their beloved mascot horses and knights after 30 years due to safety concerns at their new stadium in Christchurch. The decision comes as the team prepares for their inaugural match at One New Zealand Stadium, replacing their original home destroyed in the 2011 earthquake.
- 01The Crusaders have retired their mascot horses and knights after 30 years.
- 02Safety concerns at the new One New Zealand Stadium prompted the decision.
- 03The horses made their final appearance on April 3, 2023, before a match against Fijian Drua.
- 04The Crusaders have won 13 Super Rugby championships, making them the most successful team in the league's history.
- 05The new stadium replaces Lancaster Park, which was damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
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The Canterbury Crusaders, a prominent Super Rugby team, announced the retirement of their horses and knights, who have been a fixture at games for 30 years. This decision comes as the team prepares to move to the One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, which has a seating capacity of 30,000. Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge expressed the emotional weight of this choice, noting the horses' significance to the team's identity and fan experience. The horses made their final appearance on April 3, 2023, before a home victory over Fijian Drua, marking the end of an era. The new stadium replaces Lancaster Park, which was destroyed in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and while the team explored options to ensure the horses' safety, they ultimately decided against their inclusion due to the constraints of the new venue.
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The retirement of the horses may affect the fan experience at Crusaders games, as they were a beloved part of the pre-match atmosphere.
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