Last July 16-year-old Zuri Bennett experienced a setback that would keep many out of the show pen. She went through Scoliosis surgery that caused her to have total reconstruction of her back muscles and spine, plus a stint of six days in the hospital. Her trainer, NRHA Professional Mike Cross, was there for the surgery and was one of her biggest supporters as she retells him feeding her jello in the recovery.

She purchased a futurity horse in December of 2023, Miss Whizkey Trashya, knowing it would give her more time to recover before riding than a derby-aged horse. Her first ride was in February and the pair are set to enter the Jim Norick Coliseum on December 1.

“I got diagnosed two years ago and found out it was major enough to have surgery, she said. “Before my surgery, I did a freestyle to what I call my theme song, The Truth I Am Standing On by Leanne Crawford. It was my last show I did before my surgery. After my surgery, I had to wait three months before I could get on a horse just to walk or anything and six months to actually ride and do everything I want to do. During the last [National Reining Horse Association (NRHA)] Futurity, I brought my 3-year-old, and all I could do was sit and walk her. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into”.

She remained optimistic even through hardship that would count most people out.

“This past year we have been working really hard, and I hope we do good here,” she said. “She is a good horse and I know she will do good for me. When I tried her, we just clicked, and I thought, ‘She is going to be the one that takes me to big places.’”

When told how inspirational she is, Bennett seems almost taken aback by being so humble about her journey to be at the World’s Richest Reining.

“It means a lot,” she said. “It takes a lot for people to get here [to the NRHA Futurity] and to think I am able to be here is just amazing.”

She also had parting advice for anyone who is hesitant to chase their dreams or who has experienced setbacks.

“Do anything you put your mind to because there were some people who told me I couldn’t be here and look at me now. Do what you can do—put your mind to it, and you can do anything.”