Anyone use one? They’re not “leather or leather like” so am assuming it’s a no go?
Not only is it not “leather-like”, it isn’t a noseband. See https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/KlV5P9prkmM/ev-eventing-division pg 57 - 59 for diagrams of permitted (in US national competition) nosebands.
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I don’t see anything about nosebands or cavesons?
3. CROSS-COUNTRY TEST AND JUMPING TEST.
a. The following are compulsory: an English type saddle and bridle or hackamore. Any form of blinkers are
forbidden.
b. Only unrestricted running martingales with rein stops or Irish martingales are allowed. Reins must be free
of any loops or hand attachments and must be attached to the bit(s) or directly to the bridle. Exception: u-
shaped bit converters may be used so that a bit designed for use with two reins may be controlled with a
single rein. Gags or hackamores are allowed. In the interest of safety, the stirrup iron and stirrup leathers
must hang free from the bar of the saddle and outside the flap. Any device or gadget that does not allow
an immediate and unrestricted separation of the Athlete from the horse in case of a fall is forbidden.
There must be no other restrictions or attachments of any kind.
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Not for the jumping phases, but I assumed she wanted to use it for dressage.
Oh sorry no - per the thread title: Australian nosebands for xc?
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Got it. Sorry.
They used to be really common on racehorses- like in the 60’s in particular. They help keep a horse from getting their tongue over the bit.
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Briggs Surratt used once recently, I believe it was even at an FEI
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I’ve never heard it called an Australian noseband. In the US it’s commonly called a “Surewin” or Shur win rubber bit holder. Ralph Hill used to use one on Bad Boy Billy at Rolex.
Shur Win Bit Holder
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Yeah in the UK they’re called an Australian cheeker. Or were when I was small. My vet actually suggested it as he’s also a track vet - he called it a Surewin too.
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When I was a kid in PC they told us it also helped with brakes.
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Used at the track, we called those a sure-win also, is not a noseband. 
(Running in the 1960s-1980s)
Why do you say not a noseband? They’re commonly referred to as a noseband in my experience (dating back to the 80s)
If the argument is that it doesn’t encircle the nose, what about the kineton noseband?
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A kineton still acts on the nose, via bit pressure. Rein contact causes the bit to engage the kineton, applying pressure to the nose. I don’t consider the surewin a noseband, it’s in the same category as bit guards and add-on rubber ports.
A surewin doesn’t really do anything to the nose. It stabilizes the bit, holding it up in the mouth to help prevent the horse getting his tongue over the bit. Rein pressure on the bit doesn’t have much effect on the face via the surewin (crossing high on the bridge of the nose), as it would with a kineton (adjusted lower where a drop would be).
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A plain French cavesson, adjusted properly, doesn’t have any affect on the nose either. And to be honest, pulling the reins would have a direct effect on an Australian noseband, right? Pulling the reins pulls the rubber too. Anyway it’s always been called a noseband where I’m from - not sure it matters much!
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My daughter was just talking to me about one of our 2YO Standardbreds that is constantly getting his tongue over the bit when jogging, this discussion came to mind. I’ve sent her the Big Dee’s link so she can take a look. Might be a handy thing for the goof.
