Team, Open

The event had the now standard format of four-rider teams with the three best scores in each of two rounds to count. Germany had been the dominant nation in dressage since the mid-1970s and they had now extended that dominance to show jumping. They had won the gold medal in 1996 and had won every major competition since Atlanta. However, they were severely challenged in Sydney to maintain that streak. Germany, France, and Switzerland tied in the first round with 8.00 faults. In the second round, Germany had 7.00 faults but it was good enough to win, though barely, as Switzerland recorded only 8.00 faults, with Germany winning, 15-16. Brazil had been fourth after round one with 12 faults, and matched that number in the second round to move up to third, as France recorded 16 faults to drop off the podium. Brazil had also won a bronze medal in this event 1996, its only two equestrian medals to this date. German Ludger Beerbaum won his fourth consecutive gold medal, winning the individual in 1992, and with the team in 1988, 1996, and 2000, although in Sydney, his score was not used in either round.