Top equestrian figure Anthony Dean Thomas accused of sexual harassment by rising star Kate Crauford

One of the state’s leading equestrian figures has been sued in federal court after allegedly telling a young rider she had “legs to die for”.

Australia’s equestrian governing body refused to act on a sexual harassment complaint against a coach because an ambitious young rider lodged it a day too late, a court has heard.

Aspiring young equestrian, Kate Crauford, 23, has filed a Federal Court lawsuit against Anthony Dean Thomas alleging he made “in appropriate” and “unwanted” sexual advances.

Mr Thomas, a leading figure of showjumping in South Australia, a committee member of Jumping SA, and Equestrian SA, denies the claims.

During the first day of a five day trial, Ms Crauford, who is considered one of the sport’s most promising hopefuls, told the court how she felt “intimidated” after Mr Thomas’ “clearly in appropriate” advances towards her.

Young equestrian Kate Crauford has taken the stand in the first day of the Federal Court trial. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Anthony Thomas is accused of sexually harassing Ms Crauford through online messages. Picture: Leah Smith,

Holly Veale, for Ms Crauford, said that some of the more than 1500 messages between the two included Mr Thomas being immediately “overtly familiar”, telling her she had “legs to die for”.

The court 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.

Ms Veale said the national body, which is charged with overseeing the Olympic sport, had a rule that a harassment complaint must be lodged within 14 days but hers was received on day 15.

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

She 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.

During the start of cross examination, Alex Lazarevich, acting for Mr Thomas, asked Ms Crauford why she did not address any discomfort around Mr Thomas’ messages.

Ms Crauford told the court she considered early inclusions of kisses in his messages were “bizarre”, but she did not point them out as she felt “intimidated” by his position of power in the industry.

The court heard three incidents occurred on a joint trip to Sydney to compete in equestrian events, including laying over her on a bed, standing in her bedroom doorway the next day “only wearing a towel loosely wrapped around his waist” and then rubbing her leg while driving.

The trial before Justice Stephen McDonald continues.

Originally published as Top equestrian figure Anthony Dean Thomas accused of sexual harassment by rising star Kate Crauford