Before the start of the Olympic qualifying round, it was announced that Amre Hamcho (SYR) and his horse Vagabon des Forets would not be participating. The competition began with Isabella Russekoff (ISR) on C Vier 2, who quickly made multiple mistakes.

The course proved to be challenging but fair, with time being a crucial factor for potential qualification. Andrius Petrovas (LTU) and his horse Linkolns decided to withdraw after a disappointing start, with Petrovas choosing to bow out gracefully. Andres Azcarrage (MEX) and Contendros 2 managed a clear round, as did Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) and King Edward, despite a broken martingale. Ismael Garcia Roque (ESP) and his horse Tirano touched just one fence, while Olivier Perreau (FRA) made a costly error with his homebred horse.

Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) and Ventago delivered a perfect clear round, and American Karl Cook, a silver team medalist, also went clear on Caracole de La Roque, as did Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) on Beauville Z, who touched only one fence but had a sharp time.

Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and James Kann Cruz, as well as Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) on Major Tom, achieved clear rounds. Victoria Gulliksen (NOR) and Mistral van de Vogelzang also stayed clear, as did Harry Charles (GBR) on Romeo 88, who, despite his young age, already has a lot of experience.

Federico Fernandez (MEX) opened the second part of the competition after 25 of the 73 combinations had completed their rounds. Emanuele Camilli (ITA), son-in-law of Paul Schockemöhle, rode a clear round with Odense Odeveld, marking the ninth clear round.

Simon Delestre (FRA) and I Amelusina R 51, part of the bronze French team in the team competition, incurred four faults but had a relatively fast time. Takashi Haase Shibayama (JPN) debuted at the Olympics with Karamell M&M and rode a clear round within the time.

Laura Kraut (USA) and Baloutinue, who won a silver team medal in Versailles, incurred four faults on the last oxer of the triple combination. Kim Emmen (NED) and Imagine rode a clear round, securing their third Olympic clear round. Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Legacy also achieved a clear round with a sharp time. Gilles Thomas (BEL) and Ermitage Kalone debuted with a clear round to loud applause.

Steve Guerdat (SUI), the reigning European champion, rode a strong clear round with Dynamix de Belheme. Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Jefferson, fresh from their gold medal in the team competition, also rode a clear round.

Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) made his debut for Venezuela and was the only rider for his country. Although he avoided the typical jumping faults, he ended with sixteen faults, including a mistake on the wall.

Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Dubai du Cedre impressed with a clear and fast round, remarkable given their Olympic debut on home soil. Ramzy Al Duhami (KSA), with four previous Olympic participations, rode a clear round with Untouchable 32, marking the second clear round for Saudi Arabia.

Max Kühner (AUT) and Elektric Blue P ended with four faults but with a fast time after a mistake on the sixth fence. Harrie Smolders (NED) and Uricas v/d Kattevennen qualified for the final with a fast and clear round. Gregory Wathelet (BEL) and Bond Jamesbond de Hay ended with four faults and a fast time, putting them in a favorable position for qualification.

Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Leone Jei, in top form, ended with a clear round. Ben Maher (GBR), the defending champion, had a jumping fault on the wall with Dallas Vegas Batilly, which ended their round in disappointment but was still good enough for qualification.

Janakabhorn Karunayadhaj (THA) debuted on Kinmar Argalux but was eliminated by the jury after a mistake on the water and a wrong distance towards the double, ending with 32 faults.

Stephan de Freitas Barcha (BRA) and Primavera qualified for the final with a clear round. Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi (UAE) and Enjoy de La Mure incurred a time fault but still qualified for the final.

OLYMPIC INDIVIDUAL FINALISTS

1. Julien Epaillard (FRA) - Dubai du Cedre
2. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) - James Kann Cruz
3. Daniel Coyle (IRL) - Legacy
4. Harrie Smolders (NED) - Uricas v/d Kattevennen
5. Martin Fuchs (SUI) - Leone Jei
6. Steve Guerdat (SUI) - Dynamix de Belheme
7. Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) - King Edward
8. Emanuele Camilli (ITA) - Odense Odeveld
9. Kim Emmen (NED) - Imagine
10. Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) - Ventago
11. Harry Charles (GBR) - Romeo 88
12. Scott Brash (GBR) - Jefferson
13. Stephan de Freitas Barcha (BRA) - Primavera
14. Victoria Gulliksen (NOR) - Mistral van de Vogelzang
15. Gilles Thomas (BEL) - Ermitage Kalone
16. Karl Cook (USA) - Caracole de la Roque
17. Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) - Major Tom
18. Andres Azcarraga (MEX) - Contendros 2
19. Ramzy Al Duhami (KSA) - Untouchable 32
20. Takashi Haase Shibayama (JPN) - Karamell M&M
21. Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi (UAE) - Enjoy de la Mure
22. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) - Beauville Z
23. Gregory Wathelet (BEL) - Bond Jamesbond de Hay
24. Christian Kukuk (GER) - Checker 47
25. Simon Delestre (FRA) - I Amelusina R 51
26. Max Kühner (AUT) - Elektric Blue P
27. Laura Kraut (USA) - Baloutinue
28. Ben Maher (GBR) - Dallas Vegas Batilly
29. Jose Maria Larocca (ARG) - Finn Lente
30. Philipp Weishaupt (GER) - Zineday