Equestrian Kate Crauford wants coach financially punished for Facebook posts around her sexual harassment claim

A top equestrian wants a coach financially punished over his Facebook posts about her – but he’s calling in an Olympian to give evidence at trial.

A top equestrian wants a coach financially punished over social media posts he made about a sexual harassment claim against him.

A rising equestrian star has upped the ante in her sexual harassment claim against a top coach, asking a court award her extra damages over his social media posts about the case.

But the coach has hit back, revealing he will call South Australian Olympic gold medallist Wendy Schaeffer to give evidence as he denies the allegations at trial.

On Tuesday, counsel for Kate Crauford told the Federal Court they had amended and updated their claim, and now wanted Anthony Thomas ordered to pay her aggravated damages as well.

Matt Simpson, for Ms Crauford, said the amendment arose from Mr Thomas’ actions during the course of pre-trial formalities.

“As far as the pleadings are concerned, we have made an amendment by consent to the originating application,” he said.

“The significant aspect of that amendment was to plead aggravated damages which arise from Facebook posts made by Mr Thomas in relation to the last management conference (in court).”

Under common law, aggravated damages are awarded if a respondent to a lawsuit has behaved in a particularly insulting or humiliating manner.

Counsel for Kate Crauford told the Federal Court they had amended their claim wanting Mr Thomas to pay her aggravated damages over the posts. Picture: Supplied

In December, The Advertiser revealed Ms Crauford had filed a human rights claim against Mr Thomas over alleged incidents in 2020, when she was 19 and he was 45.

She claims she suffered sexual harassment from being bombarded with 1500 inappropriate, and offensive social media messages from Mr Thomas.

Ms Crauford also claims she suffered further harassment by seeing him semi-naked and repeatedly being uncomfortable in his presence.

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

It is the third court action arising from the allegations – the first, in the Australian Human Rights Commission, could not be resolved and prompted the Federal Court case.

The second, in the Supreme Court, saw Mr Thomas contest a three-month Equestrian SA ban over his social media posts about Ms Crauford, her mother, and other people.

Mr Thomas has denied all allegations of sexual harassment. Picture: Brenton Edwards

On Tuesday, Mr Simpson said there had been some delays in preparing the matter for trial.

Some of those, he said, were due to difficulties seeking instructions from Ms Crauford, who lives in Florida in the US.

Others, he said, came from Mr Thomas’ side.

“He has, as yet, not filed any evidence – neither lay nor expert,” he said.

“We understand there is a witness statement coming from Ms Schaeffer as to the ‘usual practices within equestrian sports’.

“Whether that is to be considered a lay witness or expert witness statement, we do not know.”

Justice Natalie Charlesworth ordered the four-day trial commence in late September.