Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in both individual and team competitions.

Since 2015, the competition has shared a site and branding with vaulting, reining, jumping, and driving events.

For sponsorship reasons, eventing is not included, as it is part of the FEI European Championships, echoing the combined World Equestrian Games concept.

At the official first European Dressage Championship in 1963 it was possible to start with more than one horse, so each rider could win more than one individual medal.

The history of team medals starts at the European Dressage Championships in 1965.