There are three separate disciplines within the sport of equestrian, each with an individual event and a team event, for a total of six equestrian events.  

Jumping        Dressage        Eventing

It is the only Olympic sport in which all events are mixed gender.  Equestrian events will be held at Greenwich Park, chosen because of its closeness to the Olympic Village. It is located on the south bank of the River Thames in southeast London.

The main arena will be a temporary structure seating 23,000 people. This temporary construction is expected to begin in April 2012.  The arena will host the dressage and show jumping competitions.  

The cross-country course will extend into the park and is approximately 6km long.  The route has been designed to avoid impact to trees and to protect sensitive ecological and archaeological areas. 

London 2012 Storylines:

By competing in London, Ian Millar would set the record for most Olympic appearances with 10.  Millar made his Olympic debut in Munich 1972 and won his first medal 36 years later, a silver in team jumping in Beijing 2008.

Canada's Outlook:

Jumping

Of the three Olympic disciplines, Canada has been most successful in jumping, winning four medals.  The most successful Games was Beijing 2008, where Canada came away with two medals, a gold in the individual event by Eric Lamaze and a silver in the team event.  Lamaze was expected to contend once again for the podium in London, however his Olympic participation is in doubt after his horse Hickstead died during a competition in Verona, Italy of a ruptured aorta.

Canada has earned an Olympic berth in the team jumping competition.

Dressage

Canada's lone Olympic dressage medal, a bronze, came in the team event in Seoul 1988.  One member of that team, Ashley Holzer, continues to compete.  She is currently 32nd in the world rankings. Canada has also qualified a team for London 2012 in dressage.

Eventing
Canada won a silver medal in the team event at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, earning the title of podium contenders looking ahead to London 2012. Jessica Phoenix is the top-ranked Canadian in the individual standings in 27th spot.

International Athletes – At a Glance:
 
Jumping

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson – Sweden

• 2008 Olympic silver medallist individual jumping; lost to Canada's Eric Lamaze in a jump-off
• 2004 Olympic silver medallist team jumping
• Ranked first overall in Rolex World Rankings

Beezie Madden – United States

• 2008 Olympic bronze medallist individual jumping
• 2004 and 2008 Olympic Champion team jumping

Isabell Werth – Germany

• One of three riders to win eight Olympic medals (5 gold, 3 silver); has won a medal in every Olympic event she has entered
• 996 Olympic Champion individual dressage
• Four-time (1992, 1996, 2000, 2008) Olympic Champion team dressage

Anky van Grunsven  – Netherlands

• One of three riders to win eight Olympic medals (3 gold, 5 silver)
• Three-time (2000, 2004, 2008) Olympic Champion individual dressage

Zara Phillips – Great Britain

• 2006 World Equestrian Games Champion individual eventing; 2006 World Equestrian Games silver medallist team eventing
• Granddaughter of HM Queen Elizabeth II