Former Member Sentenced for Animal Welfare Breach

Equestrian Australia advises members that a former member in South Australia was sentenced on 20 March 2026 in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court following his conviction in the Mount Barker Magistrates Court for breaching the Animal Welfare Act. 

Anthony Thomas received a seven-month suspended sentence on a three-year good behaviour bond, was ordered to pay $19,650 in legal costs to RSPCA SA and is prohibited from acquiring or having custody of any horses until further order.

Equestrian Australia received the initial complaint in early May 2024 and promptly reported the matter to South Australia Police, RSPCA SA, and the FEI. Mr Thomas’s membership was provisionally suspended on 11 May 2024. He subsequently resigned his membership effective 13 June 2024 and is not a current member of Equestrian Australia.

Equestrian Australia takes the welfare of horses very seriously and we will continue to act in accordance with its rules and procedures where concerns are raised concerning the mistreatment of horses.

We take this opportunity to remind all members of their obligations under Equestrian Australia's General Regulations, in particular Article 141 – Protection of Horses and Article 142 – Abuse of Horses.