The International Olympic Committee and the FEI Bureau have approved the proposal of the FEI Eventing Committee and Safety Sub-Committee regarding a change of rule for eventing to apply for all events as of August 1, 2008, including the Olympic Games.

The new rule states that horses and riders will be eliminated after one fall at fence at cross-country and in the jumping test. According to the rules currently in place, horses are eliminated after a first fall and riders after a second fall.

The reason for the change is firstly medical given the difficulty to evaluate the gravity of a fall, which can result in a mild concussion. A subsequent lapse in judgment exacerbated by a concussion could result in serious injury.