The International Olympic Committee's decision to relocate the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events to Hong Kong was formally announced on July 8, 2005.

The Government was quick to bring all concerned departments and stakeholders into action, and worked in close partnership with the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the 29th Olympiad, the International Olympics Committee and the Federation Equestre Internationale during the year. An organising committee — Equestrian Committee (Hong Kong) of Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the 29th Olympiad — was established. The Chief Executive is the Patron and the Chief Secretary for Administration, the President of the committee. A specific-purpose company registered under the Companies Ordinance was also formed to implement the day-to-day organisation work in accordance with the policy decisions and directives made by the Equestrian Committee.