The equestrian events at the 2016 Summer Olympics were held, generally in front of sparse crowds, at Rio’s National Equestrian Center, which formed part of the Parque Olímpico de Deodoro. The only change in regulations since 2012 concerned the size of teams in dressage and eventing. Prior to the Rio Games dressage teams comprised of three rider/horse combinations while eventing had five. This was now evened out so that both disciplines had teams of four.
Team and individual dressage events were held at the 2016 Olympics, but they were essentially conducted simultaneously. Charlotte Dujardin defended her individual gold medal, while Germany returned to their Olympic dominance by winning the team gold. Germany / West Germany had won seven consecutive Olympic team dressage events from 1984-2008, but was upset by Great Britain in 2012.
The first two days of competition determined the team placements and medals, and served as a qualifier for the third day of individual competition, with 32 riders advancing to Grand Prix Special. The second phase advanced 18 riders to the final day of individual dressage, the Grand Prix Freestyle.
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