Team, Open

Great Britain had won this event in 1968 and came in as the favorites, with their team performing well at the Badminton and Burghley Horse Trials in 1971-72. They were led by Richard Meade, who would win the individual gold medal in München. Switzerland took the lead in the dressage, followed by West Germany, the United States, and then Great Britain in fourth. As always, the endurance phase was critical in determining final placements, with Great Britain leading this phase over West Germany. Going into the jumping Britain had a huge lead, followed by the United States, West Germany, and Australia. The jumping changed nothing, although Britain also won that phase to secure the gold medal, with the United States taking silver and West Germany the bronze.