TEAM Ireland and US-based Offaly show jumper Darragh Kenny was dealt a huge blow this week, as it was confirmed that has lost the ride on all four horses owned by the Virginia stud farm Hyperion Stud.

The four horses - who are all stallions - include the nine-year-old Chin Chin-sired Chin Quidam VDL, another nine-year-old Cohiba VDL who is by Chacco Blue and Dakota VDL who is by Cassall.

Arguably the biggest loss to Kenny and the Irish show jumping team will be the Indoctro stallion Imothep. The stallion, who helped Kenny to finish in individual 12th place at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy in 2014, was the rider’s chief hope for the upcoming European Championships in Aachen on August 11th-23rd.

Last week it was announced by Hyperion Stud that Imothep was ruled out of Aachen due to an injury sustained at Rotterdam.

Twenty-seven-year-old Kenny had ridden horses for Hyperion Stud for over a year, enjoying huge success with their horses, including successful Nations Cup appearances at Aachen, Hickstead and Dublin.

Speaking to The Irish Field this week, Darragh Kenny commented: “It came as a big shock. All the horses left my stables this week. It was a decision the owners came to, they felt things were not perfect for them. I don’t have any information about where they are going but I would wish their new owners the very best of luck with them.”

A statement issued by Hyperion Stud read: “It is with great regret to acknowledge the end of the journey with Irish rider Darragh Kenny. Due to scheduling conflicts and other obligations it was in the best interest of the horses and the team to part ways with Darragh.”

Hyperion Stud owner Vicky Castegren said: “This was not an easy decision for myself and my team to make, especially after the tremendous success our horses achieved with Darragh Kenny.

“He is an extremely talented rider of the sport and my hope is that his success continues for many years to come. I am also deeply grateful for the support we received from the Equestrian Federation of Ireland and team manager Robert Splaine.”

Hyperion Stud, which is based in Barboursville, Virginia and is partnered with VDL Stud in the Netherlands, did not give any hint as to who the team of stallions will go to now, saying simply: “As Team Hyperion regroups additional information will be made available.”

Kenny, who spent much of 2014 on a remarkable winning streak which continued into 2015, admitted he was disappointed by the move but was looking forward.

“It is disappointing but we move on, I still have a very nice string of horses, Sans Soucis Z [owned by Caroline Lloyd] finished third recently in St Gallen and was third in the Global Tour in Paris and I feel he is more than capable of doing a job for Ireland at the European Championships.

“I also have a very nice seven-year-old that I think will be a super horse and I now have space in my stables for some new horses which will be exciting.”

Meanwhile Irish show jumping team manager Robert Splaine told The Irish Field: “The partnership of Darragh Kenny on Hyperion Stud’s Imothep delivered excellent results last year for Ireland in Nations Cups and contributed greatly at the World Equestrian Games.

“We wish all parties the very best in the future.”