The equestrian sports were held primarily at Santa Anita Racetrack….which offered stabling for up to 2100 horses….a grandstand with almost 16000 seats….and was managed by experienced horsemen…. however, this was the first time the individual jumping competition was not held in the Olympic Stadium immediately prior to the closing ceremonies….as was tradition….and instead was held with the other equestrian events at the racetrack….while Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in San Diego County hosted the endurance portions of the three-day event.
Horses were required to be at least six years old. Up to 14 riders and 22 horses were permitted per country. In total 157 entries from thirty nations (Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, as seen in this video, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), Great Britain, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, the Virgin Islands, and Yugoslavia competed.
