Team, Open

Because of a dangerously high heat index, the steeplechase course was reduced from 3,205 metres to 2,760 metres, the second roads and track section was reduced from 11.1 km to 9.0 km, and three minutes of rest time were added after the second roads and track section. The endurance course, designed by Wolfgang Field, then consisted of the following phases: roads and track – 5,060 metres; steeplechase – 2,769 metres with 7 obstacles; roads and track – 9,000 metres; and cross-country – 7,410 metres with 33 obstacles.

New Zealand moved ahead after the endurance phase, although the two-time defending individual champion, Mark Todd, was eliminated on the cross-country course, and would not ride in the jumping. The Kiwis were led by Andrew Nicholson, who was in second place individually after the endurance ride. Great Britain was second after the second phase, 7.60 points behind, with Australia trailing their Oceanic neighbors by 32.80 points. Britain struggled in jumping, recording 30 faults, and dropped back to sixth place overall. New Zealand was even worse, as Nicholson knocked over nine fences, for 45 faults, the worst ride of the jumping, dropping him to 16th place and moving New Zealand off the top step of the podium, although they held on for silver, led by Blyth Tait and Vicky Latta, who finished third- and fourth, respectively, in the individual event. Australia led the jumping with only 15 total faults, and moved up to the gold medal. This was the first of three consecutive Olympics (1992-2000) at which Australia won the team eventing.