Top equestrian Anthony Thomas ‘objectified’ rising star Kate Crauford, Adelaide court hears

An Adelaide court has heard how an aspiring young equestrian was allegedly “objectified” by the leading figure she is suing for sexual harassment.

An aspiring equestrian was “objectified” and described as being the “hottest” one at a horseshow while having “legs to die for” by one of the state’s top equestrians to another man, a court has heard.

On Tuesday the Federal Court trial against veteran equestrian Anthony Dean Thomas, 49, who allegedly sexually harassed young showjumper Kate Crauford over multiple months continued.

Mr Thomas, a leading figure of showjumping in South Australia and business owner denies the claims.

Anthony Thomas allegedly told another man Kate Crauford was the one with the “legs to die for” when they were looking to find her. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

During continued cross examination, Ms Crauford told the court that she had witnessed Mr Thomas allegedly “rapping” his horse – an internationally illegal and abusive practise where the horse is struck on the leg while jumping.

The court previously heard Ms Crauford, who had flown from Florida for the hearing, tried to lodge a complaint with Equestrian SA and Australia, but was told the governing body was powerless to act because her claim was a day too late.

In December, days after her complaint to ESA, Ms Crauford filed a human rights claim against Mr Thomas over alleged sexual harassment, included claims of inappropriate, and offensive social media messages.

Kate Crauford said she was “intimidated” after Mr Thomas allegedly used illegal and abusive practises on his own horse. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

The court heard a deed of settlement in the sum of $70,000 that included mentions of her Australian Human Rights Commission complaint was agreed to by the Craufords.

Ms Crauford also claimed to have to suffered further harassment by seeing Mr Thomas semi-naked and repeatedly being uncomfortable in his presence.

Mr Thomas denied the allegations, insisting he always acted appropriately and his messages were “friendly banter”.

His social media posts about the dispute, however, prompted Ms Crauford to seek aggravated damages – traditionally awarded over “particularly insulting or humiliating” behaviour.

Last month, Mr Thomas publicly apologised to the equestrian community after allegations he physically attacked a horse in an incident captured on video.

He subsequently resigned from the Equestrian SA peak body.

Ms Crauford, now 23, said she agreed to help Mr Thomas with training his horse, and was “intimidated” when she saw him allegedly kick a trot pole into the horses legs.

“I was shocked that someone would do that to their own horse,” Ms Crauford said.

The court heard Ms Crauford also allegedly saw him kick his horse in the head at a show they attended in Sydney – which she did not report at the time due to fear for herself and her horse.

Mr Thomas denies the allegations of abuse, and is not charged for his alleged conduct.

The RSPCA announced on Monday than Mr Thomas was due to face court later this week for animal cruelty charges after allegedly striking a horse with a riding helmet in a separate incident.

The trial before Justice Stephen McDonald continues.