Most of the 1976 equestrian events were held at the Olympic Equestrian Center in Bromont, Québec, which was specially constructed for the Montréal Olympics and was finished in 1975. The site continues to be used frequently for equestrian competition. Individual and team eventing competitions were held at Montréal, both conducted concurrently with Tad Coffin winning the individual title and leading the United States to the team gold medal.
The severe veterinary regulations in place for Olympics equestrianism, especially concerning equine piroplasmosis, influenced the participation, as Poland and Chile could not send horses at all, and France and Italy had to keep some at home.