In response to an unacceptable number of accidents on cross-country, officials from the U.S. Equestrian Federation decided to change eventing rules so that any fall of rider at a fence on cross-country results in elimination. On June 6, Officials at the Fédération Equestre Internationale made their rules match the USEF, so that a fall of rider at a fence in either cross-country or show jumping is elimination. This new rule will go into effect on Aug. 1, before the 2008 Olympics.

The FEI press release stated that medical concerns were behind the rule change. It can be difficult to diagnose a mild concussion immediately after a fall, and a subsequent lapse in judgment exacerbated by a concussion could result in serious injury.