Gold medal-winning Aussie Olympian gets drawn into sexual harassment claim against top coach accused of bombarding glamorous star with inappropriate messages

A leading equestrian coach will bring in an Olympic gold medal winner to testify on his behalf as he battles sexual harrassment claims laid against him. 

Kate Crauford, 25, launched legal action against decorated Adelaide Hills equestrian coach, state selector and administrator Anthony Dean Thomas in December 2023.

Court documents allege that Crauford, an up-and-coming American show jumper originally from Mount Gambier, experienced sexual harassment as a teenager.

The alleged incidents took place in 2020, when she was 19 and he was 45, with Thomas allegedly bombarding her with 1500 inappropriate, and offensive social media messages. 

That included receiving numerous inappropriate messages, being exposed to semi-naked images, and frequently feeling uncomfortable.

She is seeking damages for what she claims was an unlawful violation of her human rights by Thomas three years ago. 

Thomas, owner of a substantial property near Mount Barker, refutes the allegations, claiming his actions and messages were 'friendly banter'.

Now Crauford has intensified her sexual harassment lawsuit against Thomas, seeking additional damages for his social media comments about the matter. 

In response, the coach plans to defend himself by having Wendy Schaeffer, a South Australian Olympic gold medalist, testify on his behalf. 

Crauford's legal team informed the Federal Court that they've revised their claim, now seeking aggravated damages from Thomas. This request for increased damages stems from Thomas' behavior during the pre-trial process. 

This is the third legal case related to these allegations. The first case, handled by the Australian Human Rights Commission, couldn't be settled, leading to the current lawsuit in the Federal Court. 

The second case involved Mr. Thomas challenging a three-month ban from Equestrian SA in the Supreme Court for his social media comments about Crauford, her mother, and others. 

Matt Simpson, representing Crauford, mentioned delays in getting the trial ready. 

Some delays were because of challenges in communicating with Crauford, who lives in Florida, USA, and others were caused by issues from 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 set a trial date for late September.