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 enlist an Olympic gold medal winner to testify on his behalf as he fights sexual harassment claims.

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

Court documents reveal that Crauford, an up-and-coming American show jumper originally from Mount Gambier, suffered 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 1,500 inappropriate and offensive messages on social media.

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

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

Crauford claims Thomas (pictured) bombarded her with more than 1,500 inappropriate messages via social media when she was 19 and he was 45

Thomas, who owns 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 case.

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 have told the Federal Court that they have revised their claim and are now seeking higher damages from Thomas. This request for higher compensation arises from Thomas’ behavior during the preliminary investigation.

This is the third lawsuit related to these allegations. The first case, heard by the Australian Human Rights Commission, could not be resolved, leading to the current case in the Federal Court.

Wendy Schaeffer, who won Olympic gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games, will testify on behalf of Thomas

Crauford’s (pictured) charges against Thomas will be heard at the end of September

In the second case, Mr Thomas challenged a three-month ban from Equestrian SA in the High Court over his comments on social media about Crauford, her mother and others.

Matt Simpson, representing Crauford, reported delays in preparing for the trial.

Some delays were due to problems communicating with Crauford, who lives in Florida, US, and others were caused by problems on Thomas’ part.

“He has not presented any evidence so far, neither layman nor expert,” he said.

‘We understand that there will be a witness statement from Mrs Schaeffer about the ‘usual practices within equestrian sports’.

‘Whether that should be considered a lay witness or an expert witness, we don’t know.

Judge Natalie Charlesworth set a trial date for the end of September.