World Cup finalist Anna Trent and New Zealand Performance Horses have decided to part ways, bringing an end to one of New Zealand's longest equestrian partnerships.

In the eight years that 25-year-old Trent rode for the Hawke's Bay-based New Zealand Performance Horses (NZPH), there were plenty of highs for the partnership, which has split on "the most amicable of terms". In 2009 Trent and Muskateer NZPH represented New Zealand at the World Cup final in Las Vegas.

They competed at the prestigious Spruce Meadows in Canada and Trent with success on the show circuit on the West Coast of the United States, and recently campaigned again in the US.

Trent teamed up with NZPH as a teenager, and for the past two years has operated from the Hawke's Bay stud. She has recently returned to her Kaukapapa base where her father has 12 acres, while Muskateer (Cabdulla Du Tillard / Silent Hunter) has been sold to a 19-year-old in California.

"Red seems very happy with his new rider," says Trent.

She felt it was the perfect move for the horse to move back down to the 1.3m grade to consolidate, and the new partnership has already tasted success at that level, winning the 1.3m classic at Spruce Meadows.

"And it's time for a change for me too. I've enjoyed my time in Hawke's Bay and together we achieved a lot."

While she has no horses in her team at the moment, expect to see Trent back out competing in the not too distant future.

"I'm too competitive to not want to keep going at top level," she says with a laugh.

It's business as usual for NZPH. Co-owners Warwick and Juliet Hansen have five horses competing across the levels in Australia in the hands of their 17-year-old daughter Bridget, and Billy Raymont. Raymont and Levitation NZPH won a World Cup qualifier, while young Hansen recently finished second in the Queensland junior rider series.

Warwick Hansen says they will probably bring Nicalette NZPH home for the January and February rounds of the New Zealand World Cup series, while six-year-old series winner Quick Step NZPH will be home for the new season to contest the seven-year-old series.

It is likely Ocean Beach, Levitation and Quorum will all be sold in Australia.

The breeding programme in Hawke's Bay continues full steam ahead, with 31 mares in foal and 154 horses on the property.

"It certainly is all go," says Hansen. "We've thoroughly enjoyed our partnership with Anna and it's been a good one - we wish her all the best for the future."