A petition has been kicked off in an effort to keep the popular Crusaders match-day horses on the field at Christchurch’s new covered stadium.

The Crusaders confirmed on Tuesday that the horses will be retired, citing safety concerns tied to the design and limited space at the new One NZ Stadium.

The club said the confined layout around the field meant the six horses, which have led the Crusaders out at every home game since 1996, could not operate without risk.

But a petition has since been launched in a bid to halt the nearly 30-year tradition from coming to an end.

The petition, which had over 400 signatures on Thursday afternoon, read that the acclaimed horses were a tradition “deeply tied” to the identity of the club and its supporters.

“For nearly 30 years, the horses have been more than just a pre-game spectacle,” it read.

“Conquest of Paradise ringing out over the loudspeakers, those horses running around the field while the crowd stand and cheer, creating long-lasting memories for children and adults alike.”

The Crusaders confirmed on Tuesday that the horses will be retired. Photo / Supplied

The petition also outlined that fans had already seen other changes to the club’s identity, including the loss of the Crusaders logo.

“For many supporters, this feels like more than change - it feels like parts of the club’s identity and shared memories being slowly removed,” it read.

“Now, another long-standing part of match day history is at risk of being lost.”

It said it understood the realities of modern stadiums, but the tradition “carried emotional and cultural value” that couldn’t be replaced or dismissed.

The petition aims to see the horses recognised as an important part of the club’s identity, commit to keeping the horses as part of match day tradition and ensure their spot on the field isn’t compromised in the future.

“This is about protecting what makes Crusaders rugby feel like Crusaders rugby - not just a team, but a legacy built over decades.”