SA equestrian identity Anthony Thomas apologises over horse abuse video

One of South Australia’s leading equestrian identities is being investigated over allegations he physically attacked a horse. WARNING: Disturbing video content

One of South Australia’s leading equestrian identities is being investigated over allegations he physically attacked a horse.

Graphic footage shows controversial horse trainer Anthony Dean Thomas, 49, violently hitting the animal during a harrowing attack on the animal using his equestrian helmet.

Mr Thomas, who is considered a high-profile identity in the successful Olympic sport, apologised last night and said he was “taking time away … to reset” but it is unclear if he has been suspended.

The grainy footage, leaked to The Advertiser, shows him in an Adelaide Hills training arena appearing to unleash a savage attack on the unnamed showjumping horse.

Sources said the footage, which has been shared extensively shared throughout the industry, was recorded sometime in the past two months at an Oakside Park Stud facility, near Hahndorf, which Mr Thomas owns.

The footage shows a disturbing attack on the horse.

The horse is struck violently at least five times with his man’s helmet.

The sport’s governing body revealed the footage is now under investigation.

“Equestrian Australia is aware of vision of horse abuse allegedly involving an Equestrian Australia member,” a spokesman said on Friday.

“EA has a zero tolerance approach in relation to animal cruelty.

“Reports have been made to the relevant authorities, including the RSPCA and we will take action as appropriate.”

Earlier on Thursday in response to inquiries, an SA Police spokeswoman advised that the alleged conduct “is being looked at by the RSPCA”.

An RSPCA spokeswoman confirmed the video had “been provided to our inspectorate” and “will be investigated”.

In the footage, Mr Thomas, a controversial figure in the sport, appears to violently strike the horse at least five times with his helmet, all while yelling profanities.

“You billy goat c***,” he allegedly says to the horse in the footage.

He then removes his helmet.

“F***** can you feel it? Can you f******,” Mr Thomas says, before allegedly striking the horse.

“Stupid? Dumb?” He then hits the horse again.

“Are you going to respect me tonight?

“Yes, no, yes, yes. Let’s do it.”

Equestrian rider Anthony Thomas leaves the Supreme Court in 2022. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Thomas competed in the World Cup showjumping qualifier while injured in 2003.

Mr Thomas, who operates Southern Sport Horses, was not home at his $3m, 46ha Paechtown property on Mt Barker’s outskirts nor at his workplace in the Hills town on Friday.

But in a statement issued through his lawyers, he apologised.

“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the Equestrian community publicly, regarding recent events,” he said.

“I’ve acknowledged that I have allowed a culmination of many traumatic events over the past six months to affect my mental health and interfere with my behaviour.

“I’m seeking assistance and support to ensure this will never happen again.

“I’m sincerely sorry, and saddened, to have allowed this to have occurred as I’ve always had only love for all animals.

Thomas competing at the Royal Adelaide Show in 1996.

“Under professional advice, I will be taking time away in order to achieve the reset that I need.

“I will not be making any further comment until my mental health issues are resolved.”

Neither police or the RSPCA have yet to contact Mr Thomas.

His lawyer, however, said he would be advising his client not to speak until his mental health problems had been addressed.

Several equestrian insiders have voiced their concerns with his treatment of performance showjumping horses in his care.

It is not the first time the champion equestrian has been embroiled in turmoil.

In 2022, he took Supreme Court action against Equestrian Australia claiming a three-month ban issued to him, by the peak body, was “oppressive”.

Mr Thomas claimed EA had wrongly and unfairly imposed a three-month ban upon him during the sport’s busy period.

He claimed it broke its own bylaws by preventing him from competing in events including the 2022 Australian League World Cup qualifying rounds.

The ban, he asserted, jeopardised his national ranking – which he claimed was “number six in Australia” – and income.

At trial, EA claimed it had received complaints over Mr Thomas’ social media posts about rider Kate Crauford, her mother Sophie, and course builder Michael Haese.

The peak body claimed the posts “contain false and misleading information which may be defamatory, vilifying and potentially breach the code of conduct”.

Mr Thomas won the case, with the court ruling EA had contravened its own rules, but said the trainer had admitted breaching the organisation’s code of conduct in the process.

Mr Thomas is currently engaged in a Federal Court case with Ms Crauford, who has accused him of sexual harassment and attempting to “groom” her as a teenager.

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

Last month, Ms Crauford asked the court to award her extra damages because of Mr Thomas’ social media posts about that case.

Mr Thomas, meanwhile, said South Australian Olympic gold medallist Wendy Schaeffer would be called to give evidence as part of his defence case.