Unlike in 1980, when the American-led boycott devastated the Olympic equestrian competition, the 1984 Soviet-led retributive boycott had no effect on the Los Angeles equestrian events, as virtually all the top riders came from Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, or North America. The 1984 equestrianism was held mostly at Santa Anita Park, a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California that first opened in 1934, although the eventing endurance phase was held at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
Team and individual jumping competitions were held in 1984. As in 1980 the Grand Prix de Nations was held before the individual jumping. American Joe Fargis was the individual champion, leading the USA to victory in the team event.