Owned by Castrawes Miniatures owners Rob and Rhonda Barnes, the tiny flaxen gelding has set the record for highest fence jumper shorter than 38 inches (96.5 centimetres) at the Independent Miniature Horse Registry National Show in Tamworth.

Standing at 37 inches (almost 94 centimetres), Paleface jumped 42.5 inches (almost 108 centimetres), smashing the old record of 30 inches (76 centimetres).

Six horses from the eastern states vied for the record and four of them beat the former record, but the horse from Cumnock could not be outdone.

“We’re on cloud nine,” Mrs Barnes said.

“Coming from a country town and doing something so fantastic, it’s a big deal for us.”

Incredibly, the seven-year-old still has some height to spare if his record is broken, having previously jumped 49 inches at home.

Mr Barnes said Paleface started jumping four years ago and loved it.

“Even some of the Queenslanders were cheering for him because he’s the sort of horse everyone loves,” he said.

“He doesn’t refuse a jump and people see that.”

While a national champion showjumper might be expected to be a regular escapee, Mr Barnes insisted he was well behaved. 

“He won’t jump unless I lead him,” he said.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au