Eight years after they had desperately wanted it, but lost to Atlanta (USA), Athens (GRE) was finally awarded the 2004 Olympic Games. Athens won in the fourth round against Rome (ITA). This was in 1997. In the following years the preparations were hampered by bureaucracy, incompetence, and political wrangling. At the end they were ready, but at a horrendous price: from a original budget of three billion EUR the costs went up to 11 billion.

For the equestrian events, ATHOC built a new facility at Markopoulos south of Athens. They constructed two stadiums, one for Jumping, one for Dressage, a covered arena, a race track and eight training areas – most of it rarely used since. 

The 18 equestrian medals were shared by eight countries. The Unites States (with gold in team Jumping) had five, Germany four and Great Britain three. The above was influenced by four medication/doping cases, after which the original Jumping winner in Athens, Cian O’Conner (IRL) and well as Ludger Beerbaum (GER) from the German team were disqualified. Also punished was the eventing winner, Bettina Hoy (GER).

Max E. Ammann and Ralph Ammann attended the Athens Olympic Games. Max E. Ammann, had been commissioned by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), a few years ago, to write the history of the equestrian competitions at the Olympic Games.

Jumping - individual competition (22.+24.+29.08.2004)

1. Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) – Baloubet du Rouet
2. Chris Kappler (USA) – Royal Kaliber
3. Marco Kutscher (GER) – Montender

Jumping - team competition (24.08.2004)

1. United States of America
        Chris Kappler (USA) – Royal Kaliber
        McLain Ward (USA) – Sapphire
        Peter Wylde (USA) – Cera
        Beezie Madden (USA) – Authentic

2. Sweden
        Peter Fredericson (SWE) – Magic Bengtsson
        Peter Eriksson (SWE) – Cardento
        Malin Baryard (SWE) – Butterfly Flip
        Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) – Mac Kinley

3. Germany
        Christian Ahlmann (GER) – Cöster
        Marco Kutscher (GER) – Montender
        Otto Becker (GER) – Cento
        Ludger Beerbaum (GER) – Goldfever

Dressage – individual competition (19.-20.+23.+25.08.2004)

1. Anky van Grunsven (NED) – Salinero
2. Ulla Salzgeber (GER) – Rusty
3. Beatriz Ferrer Salat (ESP) – Beauvalais

Dressage – team competition (19.-20.08.2004)

1. Germany
        Heike Kemmer (GER) – Bonaparte
        Hubertus Schmidt (GER) – Wansuela Suerte
        Martin Schaudt (GER) – Weltall
        Ulla Salzgeber (GER) – Rusty

2. Spain
        Beatriz Ferrer Salat (ESP) – Beauvalais
        Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo (ESP) – Guizo
        Ignacio Rambla Algarin (ESP) – Oleaje
        Rafael Soto Andrade (ESP) – Invasor 

3. United States of America
        Lisa Wilcox (USA) – Relevant
        Guenter Seidel (USA) – Aragon
        Debbie McDonald (USA) – Brentina
        Robert Dover (USA) – Kennedy

Eventing – individual competition (15.-18.08.2004)

1. Leslie Law (GBR) – Shear L’Eau
2. Kimberly Severson (USA) – Winsome Adante
3. Pippa Funnell (GBR) – Primmore’s Pride

Eventing – team competition (15.-18.08.2004)

1. France
        Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) – Galan de Sauvagère
        Jean Teulère (FRA) – Espoir de la Mare
        Didier Courrèges (FRA) – Debat d‘Estruval
        Cédric Lyard (FRA) – Fine Merveille
        Arnaud Boiteau (FRA) – Expo du Moulin

2. Great Britain
        Pippa Funnell (GBR) – Primmore’s Pride
        Lesley Law (GBR) – Shear L‘Eau
        Mary King (GBR) – King Solomon
        Jeanette Brakewell (GBR) – Over to You
        William Fox-Pitt (GBR) – Tamarillo

3. United States of America
        Kimberly Severson (USA) – Winsome Adante
        Darren Chiacchia (USA) – Windfall
        John Williams (USA) – Carrick
        Amy Tryon (USA) – Poggio
        Julia Richards (USA) – Jacob Two Two