All event riders who fall off at the Olympics will be eliminated

New rules announced by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) on 6 June, say any rider falling at a jump in the cross-country or show jumping phases will be eliminated.

The rule will be enforced at all FEI events from 1 August, including the 2008 Olympics.

“It is purely to do with medical safety,” said FEI spokesman Malina Gueorguiev. “You may have concussion and, if you carry on to the next jump, you could have a serious accident.”

Don’t miss this Thursday’s H&H for opinions on this rule change from the sport’s top brass, plus H&H Editor Lucy Higginson’s voices her thoughts on behalf of amateur riders as BE considers whether to implement the rule.

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